Ministry of Science and ICT, R&D Special Zone Foundation kick off 2026 Deep Tech Startup Challenge

The headquarters of the Research and Development Special Zone Promotion Foundation. [Herald DB]
The headquarters of the Research and Development Special Zone Promotion Foundation. [Herald DB]

The government is moving to support deep tech startups with direct cash investment and linked commercialization R&D projects.

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Research and Development Special Zone Promotion Foundation announced Thursday the launch of the "2026 R&D Special Zone Deep Tech Startup Challenge," a program designed to help deep tech startups grow and bring their technologies to market.

The Deep Tech Challenge is a competitive program designed to help deep tech companies cross what is known as the "Death Valley" — the critical gap between technological development and commercial viability — through a combination of private investment and government-backed R&D support.

The program sets itself apart from conventional technology commercialization initiatives by being the first to pair direct investment with follow-on R&D project support for selected companies, going beyond a simple competition format.

Last year, 204 companies applied and three were ultimately selected: Pion Systems (Daedeok Special Zone, AI self-learning-based anti-drone solution), Elect (Busan Special Zone, construction machinery electrification module) and EMX (Hongneung Small Special Zone, AI-based high-quality 3D virtual space content creation solution). Each selected company received direct investment of up to 1 billion won (about $660,000) from the R&D Special Zone Fund, along with a linked R&D project worth approximately 600 million won, and has since been generating tangible results.

The challenge is open to companies spun out of science and technology institutes and government-funded research institutes, as well as research-based enterprises identified through regional relay investment road shows. Through a document screening process, 18 companies will advance to the main round, where they will receive roughly two months of capacity-building support — including deep tech commercialization strategy development, investment consulting and investor relations coaching.

A semifinal round featuring closed-door investor presentations is scheduled for September, followed by a public final on Nov. 5. The six finalists will receive awards from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT and the foundation's chairperson. Three of those companies will each receive direct investment of up to 1 billion won along with a linked 2027 Strategic Technology Research Commercialization (R&BD) project worth approximately 600 million won.

"Deep tech companies face high R&D hurdles and require a long time to succeed, but when they do, they have the potential to transform entire industries," said Kim Seong-su, director general for R&D policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT. "We will continue to identify promising deep tech companies quickly and work with the private sector to drive their growth."


nbgkoo@heraldcorp.com