OASIS 2.0 Opens a New Chapter in Supporting Foreign Entrepreneurs

Launched in 2009 as Korea’s first entrepreneurship academy for foreign nationals; expanded into the OASIS program in 2023 to foster a technology-based startup ecosystem for foreign entrepreneurs

A comprehensive support system at the Seoul Global Center in Jonggak, offering entrepreneurship education, one-on-one consulting, intellectual property application support, and startup incubation

Supported 529 aspiring foreign entrepreneurs and helped establish 27 companies and 21 incorporated entities across tourism, everyday services, employment, healthcare, and other sectors

Successful OASIS startups emerge in AI translation, healthcare, and other sectors; “Basic Start-up Education” and “Invention, Start-up Exhibition” programs launch this year

New mentoring program pairs experienced foreign entrepreneurs with participants to strengthen alumni engagement and post-program support

The Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Overall Assistance for Startup Immigration System (OASIS)* 2.0, a comprehensive startup support program for aspiring foreign entrepreneurs, is entering a new phase. Seventeen years after launching Korea’s first entrepreneurial support initiative for foreign entrepreneurs, the city is expanding its support system with new programs that provide assistance at every stage—from startup preparation to company incorporation. Seoul will also strengthen the startup ecosystem by launching a mentoring program that connects aspiring entrepreneurs with experienced founders.

The OASIS program is a foreign entrepreneur support initiative designated by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups to promote technology-based entrepreneurship and foster a startup ecosystem for foreign nationals. In Seoul, the program is operated through the Seoul Global Center in Jonggak.

In 2009, Seoul laid the foundation for what is now the OASIS program by launching Korea’s first entrepreneurship academy for foreign nationals. Since then, the city has built a comprehensive one-stop support system offering entrepreneurship education, one-on-one consulting, assistance with intellectual property applications, startup incubation, and support for company incorporation.

“Basic Start-up Education” and “Invention, Start-up Exhibition” programs launch this year, building on the success of OASIS alumni in AI- and platform-based startups

Since July 2023, the Seoul Global Center has operated six OASIS courses (OASIS-1, 2, 4+, 5, 7, and 8), supporting a total of 529 aspiring entrepreneurs. The center has also incubated 27 companies led by foreign founders and supported the establishment of 21 corporations founded by foreign nationals, contributing significantly to the development of foreign entrepreneurship. Beginning this year, the center will expand its offerings by introducing OASIS-4 (Basic Start-up Education) and OASIS-6 (Invention, Start-up Exhibition). These additions will strengthen the program’s comprehensive support system, enabling aspiring foreign entrepreneurs to receive guidance from the earliest stages of startup preparation through business launch and company incorporation.

OASIS Programs and Details

OASIS Programs and Details
Program	Details
OASIS-1: Intellectual Property Basic Course	Basic courses on acquiring intellectual property rights (patent applications) and foundational knowledge for living and doing business in Korea Immigration regulations, introduction to OASIS, the intellectual property system, invention and problem-solving, idea-sharing, and presentation workshops
OASIS-2: Intellectual Property Advanced Course	Advanced courses on acquiring intellectual property rights (patent applications) and advanced knowledge needed to stay in Korea Advanced understanding of intellectual property rights, generating inventive ideas, mock litigation exercises, intellectual property information search and refinement, and copyright fundamentals
OASIS-3: Intellectual Property Application and Prototype Development Support	Support for patent applications based on highly creative and promising ideas proposed by outstanding graduates of the intellectual property education program Providing funding through the patent application stage (subject to budget availability), covering approximately 50% of the overall cost of obtaining intellectual property rights (patents, utility models, and designs)
OASIS-4: Basic Start-up Education	Entrepreneurship education for foreign entrepreneurs with foundational technical skills, covering the knowledge required to launch and operate a business, including business operations, taxation, real estate practices, target marketing strategies and applications, government startup support policies, and laws and regulations related to entrepreneurship and corporate management
OASIS-4+: Basic Trading Course (New in 2026)	Specialized training for foreign nationals seeking to start businesses in the trade sector Import and export procedures and practices, online trade fundamentals, business operations and trade taxation, trade documentation theory and practice, payment settlement procedures, and trade contracts
OASIS-5: Coaching & Mentoring	Personalized coaching and knowledge-sharing sessions with experienced immigrant entrepreneurs and startup experts to minimize the risk of failure during the early stages of entrepreneurship
OASIS-6: Invention, Start-up Exhibition (New in 2026)	Provides aspiring immigrant technology entrepreneurs with opportunities to identify promising business ideas and connect with technology transfer and investment consultation programs
OASIS-7: Incubation Office	Provides office space for outstanding graduates of intellectual property and entrepreneurship support programs, as well as winners of the Invention, Startup Exhibition Participants are eligible to complete the program after remaining in the incubation program for at least six months and receiving approval from the operating institution
OASIS-8: Corporation Establishment Support	Supports foreign entrepreneurs in establishing corporations required to obtain a startup visa and successfully settle in Korea Assistance with the preparatory procedures for company incorporation and related administrative requirements for obtaining a startup visa Recognition points awarded upon incorporation in Korea
OASIS-9: Startup Commercialization Support	Support for initial commercialization funding, R&D connections, and post-startup business management Businesses that receive commercialization funding through national or local government startup support programs and demonstrate technological competitiveness may receive OASIS-9 recognition points (25 points) following evaluation

OASIS Programs and Details
No.	Organization	Financial Support by	Available Programs	Location
1	Korea Productivity Center (KPC)	The Ministry of Justice	OASIS 4, 4+, 5, 6, 7, 8	Jongno-gu, Seoul
2	Seoul Global Center	Seoul Metropolitan Government	OASIS 1, 2, 4, 4+, 5, 6, 7, 8	Jongno-gu, Seoul
3	Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development (KISED)	The Ministry of SMEs and Startups	OASIS 4, 5, 8, 9	Gangnam-gu, Seoul
4	Korea Management Association Consultants (KMAC)	The Ministry of Justice	OASIS 1, 2, 3, 6	Mapo-gu, Seoul
5	Jeonbuk Center for Creative Economy & Innovation	The Ministry of Justice	OASIS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7	Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk-do
6	Chungbuk Bio Industry-Academy Convergence Institute	Chungbuk-do	OASIS 1–9 (OASIS 6 excluded)	Cheongju-si, Chungbuk-do
7	Busan Startup Investment Agency	Busan Metropolitan Government	OASIS 4, 5, 7, 8, 9	Dong-gu, Busan

*The Seoul Global Center is recognized for its proactive support of foreign entrepreneurship and operates the largest number of programs among all Global Startup Immigration Centers nationwide this year, offering eight programs: OASIS-1, 2, 4, 4+, 5, 6, 7, and 8.

Foreign entrepreneurs who have built their businesses through the Seoul Global Center are also continuing to achieve notable success. Graduates of the Center’s OASIS training and startup incubation programs are developing technology-driven services across a wide range of sectors, including tourism and everyday services, employment, translation, healthcare, and startup ecosystem development, achieving remarkable results in startup support programs in Korea and abroad.

This year, a new wave of foreign technology entrepreneurs is taking on the challenge of launching innovative businesses. One such entrepreneur is Pidchayanin “Meen” Chutipattana from Thailand, who was selected as a new resident company at the Seoul Global Center. She is developing ELKXA Signal, an AI-powered market intelligence platform that provides business leaders with strategic decision-making insights to help them respond to changing market conditions. Meen’s platform was also recognized for its growth potential when she was selected to participate as a foreign entrepreneur and presented the business concept at the launch ceremony for the first season of the Startup for Everyone program hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

This year, the OASIS-4 Basic Start-up Education Program will be offered twice, once in the first half and once in the second half of the year. Meanwhile, the OASIS-6 Invention, Start-up Exhibition for Foreign Entrepreneurs will recruit participants during July and August, followed by an IR pitching competition in September. Detailed application schedules and procedures will be announced through the Seoul Foreign Resident Portal (http://global.seoul.go.kr) and the Seoul Global Center’s social media channels (@seoulglobalcenter).