31 Integrated Support Programs Build Full-Cycle Ecosystem, Participating Companies’ Investment Attraction Surges 63% Year-over-Year
Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) has officially launched the “2026 Korean International Project (K-Global Project)” to support the global advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation companies. The integrated briefing held on February 10, 2026, at L-Tower in Yangjae, Seoul, drew over 500 representatives from AI and digital startups aspiring to global expansion. This project, which consolidates previously scattered government and private sector AI and digital enterprise support programs under a single brand platform, is attracting attention for completing a full-cycle support system from early-stage startups to global market entry.
Technical Innovation: Data-Driven Customized Support Elevates Startup Ecosystem
The core innovation of the K-Global Project lies in reorganizing 31 previously dispersed support programs into a data-driven integrated platform. Companies can now search and apply for programs optimized according to their growth stage, technology sector, and support needs in one centralized location.
Notably, the newly added “AX (AI Transformation) Innovation Company Creative Technology Development Project” enables AI companies to jointly develop and demonstrate technologies with demand organizations, creating a structure that simultaneously advances technology development and market validation. Additionally, the “ICT Strategic Convergence R&D Voucher Support Project” is designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises secure information and communication technology (ICT) capabilities to enhance commercialization potential.
The support framework comprehensively covers: △mentoring and scale-up programs △global expansion support △office space and testbed provision △AI, data, and cloud infrastructure support—spanning from early-stage startups to growth phases. This represents a strategy that goes beyond fragmentary support to provide a systematic growth ladder.
Performance Metrics: 63% Increase in Investment Attraction Demonstrates Tangible Results
A survey of K-Global Project participating companies (285 respondents) revealed clear tangible outcomes. Through Q3 2025, participating companies’ investment attraction increased 63% year-over-year, while job creation grew 3.1% and patent applications rose 4.7%.
These results demonstrate that support extends beyond simple financial assistance to substantial competitiveness enhancement. The surge in investment attraction indicates that the K-Global Project has contributed to improving startups’ market credibility and technological capabilities, while the increase in patent applications serves as an indicator of strengthened innovation capacity.
In 2026, 31 programs totaling 144.1 billion won will operate, with both the number of participating companies and support scale expected to expand. Synergy effects are anticipated through linkage with large-scale AI ecosystem investments including AI foundation model development and GPU infrastructure expansion.
Use Cases: Strengthened Public-Private Collaboration Connects with Global Big Tech
Private sector collaboration has been significantly enhanced this year. In addition to existing participants Naver Cloud, Google, Shinhan Financial Group, and Korea Credit Guarantee Fund, NVIDIA, Asan Nanum Foundation, and Hana Bank have newly joined. This creates a structure enabling domestic startups to simultaneously receive incubation programs from global big tech and investment and loan support from financial institutions.
NVIDIA’s participation particularly provides AI startups with GPU infrastructure and technical mentoring pathways, while Hana Bank’s inclusion broadens startup financial support scope. The Asan Nanum Foundation plans to operate separate support programs for startups pursuing social value.
At the briefing venue, approximately 500 startup representatives directly consulted on mentoring, investment attraction, and global expansion programs, proceeding with program connections. Customized consulting was provided at each consultation booth, enabling companies to immediately identify support programs suitable for their growth stage.
Market Impact: Core Driver of AI·Digital Economy’s New Leap Forward
The K-Global Project represents a core policy strengthening the global competitiveness of Korea’s AI and digital economy. MSIT has allocated a total R&D budget of 8.1188 trillion won for 2026, representing a 25.4% increase from the previous year. Of this, AI-related budget reaches 10 trillion won, part of the government’s “AI Top 3 Strategy.”
The K-Global Project activates the startup ecosystem in conjunction with this large-scale AI investment. As it connects with domestic AI foundation model development, acquisition of 260,000 GPUs, and regional AX projects, an integrated ecosystem supporting the entire process from AI technology development through commercialization to global expansion is being established.
In particular, the government has focused on creating a sustainable growth structure enabling domestic innovation companies to gain competitiveness in global markets through this project. Rather than short-term results, the emphasis is on securing long-term competitiveness, with core strategies including AI transformation technology demonstration and R&D linkage, and expanded participation in private sector incubation programs.
Expert Opinion: Nurturing AI·Digital Economy Leaders Through Public-Private Capacity Integration
Lee Do-gyu, Director of Information and Communication Policy at MSIT, stated: “I hope this briefing served as an opportunity for AI and digital innovation companies to discover customized programs from various public and private support projects. MSIT will continue to bring together private and government capabilities to support our innovation companies in growing into key players leading the new leap forward in the AI and digital economy.”
Industry experts predict the K-Global Project will be a game-changer for Korea’s AI and digital startup ecosystem. Strengthened collaboration with global big tech companies like NVIDIA and Google is particularly significant in providing domestic startups with opportunities to leverage world-class technology and networks.
The resolution of information accessibility issues that startups faced through integrated platform construction, and the ability to receive customized support by growth stage, are also positively evaluated. With the establishment of a consistent support system from early-stage mentoring through scale-up to global expansion, both startup survival rates and growth rates are expected to improve simultaneously.
Integrated guidance on K-Global Project target programs is available on the K-Global Project homepage and the websites of MSIT and the National IT Industry Promotion Agency. The government plans to continuously add new programs and expand support scope going forward.
