Ministry of SMEs and Startups Launches Drive to Foster AI Startups Valued at “1 Trillion Won”… Targets 20 by 2030 – The Asia Business Daily

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups aims to foster 20 artificial intelligence (AI) unicorns valued at 1 trillion won or more and one decacorn by 2030. It will identify promising AI startups from their early stages and support them throughout the entire process, from research and development (R&D), commercialization, and demonstration to investment and overseas expansion.

On Nov. 11, the ministry announced its “AI Startup Beyond Unicorn Growth Strategy,” developed jointly with the National AI Strategy Committee, at “DEEP DIVE INTO 2026,” held at the Grand Hyatt Seoul.

The strategy consists of three main pillars and 12 detailed initiatives: providing support throughout the startup lifecycle, from discovery to scaling up; accelerating innovative growth; and promoting expansion into global markets. Its focus is not just on identifying promising AI startups but on helping them grow into companies capable of competing in global markets.

Identifying Early-Stage AI Unicorns… Tailored Support at Each Growth Stage

First, the government, academia and research community, and private sector will work together to identify candidates with strong growth potential as “early-stage AI unicorns.” From among them, the top 20% of companies will be selected based on criteria such as investment and employment, and will receive phased support tied to performance targets. Companies that advance to the final stage of the program will receive at least 10 billion won in R&D and commercialization funding, along with support for technology demonstrations and fundraising.

The government will also provide tailored support that reflects the characteristics of the AI industry. It will support commercialization in consideration of the characteristics of four industries under the AI industry classification, and connect value chains and demand across five key sectors, including manufacturing and biotechnology. The government plans to establish an AI unicorn growth control tower with the National AI Strategy Committee and operate a coalition involving startups, large corporations, investors, and others.

Investment support at each growth stage will also be strengthened to help startups become global unicorns. The government plans to provide AI funds, including the Next-Generation Unicorn Project and the National Growth Fund. It will also establish an integrated demonstration system linking the AI industry ecosystem, from semiconductors, cloud computing, and large language models (LLMs) to services. AI fabless companies, solution startups, and client companies will be brought together in a single consortium to pursue joint design projects.

The “Government First Demonstration and Purchase” initiative, under which the government and public institutions become the first customers of AI startups, will also be expanded to the AI sector. The initiative demonstrates startup technologies in products developed by large corporations and others, then connects those demonstrations to actual purchases to help startups secure initial sales channels.

To support overseas expansion, the government will work with the Public Procurement Service to demonstrate domestic AI startup technologies at overseas institutions and establish country-specific “AI Connectors” to link global AI buyers with Korean startups. Domestic and international AI talent will be assigned to key projects at early-stage unicorns, and the government will also support the hiring and secondment of research personnel.

Deep-Tech Startups Gather in One Place… Korea’s Largest Technology Forum

Meanwhile, “DEEP DIVE INTO 2026,” where the growth strategy was announced, is Korea’s largest technology forum for sharing the technologies and growth strategies of deep-tech startups, including those in AI. The three-day event runs from Nov. 10 to 12 at the Grand Hyatt Seoul. More than 3,000 people are taking part, including deep-tech startups, large and midsize companies, global AI unicorns, venture capital firms (VCs), corporate venture capital firms (CVCs), government-funded research institutes, and public institutions.

Now in its fourth year, the forum is being held under the theme “AI MAKES SENSE” and covers three topics: physical AI, agentic AI, and AI for humanity. More than 140 domestic and international speakers and experts are participating in a total of 36 programs, including keynote speeches, special sessions, and a cutting-edge technology forum. The technology forum will also share AI convergence technologies and examples of their application in industry across 12 major fields, including semiconductors, power and energy, mobility, nuclear energy, aerospace, and biotechnology.

In addition, 10 programs will be held as ancillary events, including demo days to help deep-tech startups raise investment and expand globally, as well as sessions sharing the results of the Government First Demonstration and Purchase initiative and examples of open innovation.

Lee Soyoung, Minister of SMEs and Startups, said, “For AI startups to grow into global unicorns, they need comprehensive support not only for technology development but also for commercialization through technology demonstrations, investment and market access, and overseas expansion.” She added, “Through this strategy, we will provide focused support to help companies in Korea grow beyond global AI unicorns and become decacorns.”

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