An exterior view of Daegu City Hall's Dongin building. [Daegu city government]
An exterior view of Daegu City Hall's Dongin building. [Daegu city government]

Daegu city government announced Tuesday it has finalized the selection of 74 companies to participate in the "2026 Startup City Project."

The city, working with the Daegu Creative Economy Innovation Center, began recruiting participants in June and completed the selection evaluation in July before finalizing the roster.

The selected companies include 18 early-stage firms and 14 growth-stage firms under the investment-linked startup package, along with 26 companies in the new industries category and 16 in the general category under the regional startup package.

Daegu city will provide differentiated commercialization funding based on each company's stage of growth and business sector.

Under the investment-linked startup package, the 18 early-stage firms will receive up to 80 million won ($57,900) each, while the 14 growth-stage firms will be eligible for up to 150 million won. Under the regional startup package, the 26 companies in the new industries category can receive up to 400 million won, and those in the general category up to 250 million won.

The city will also connect selected companies with tailored growth support programs across 11 areas, based on each firm's stage of development and specific needs, to help turn technologies and ideas into viable businesses and build market competitiveness.

For companies relocating from outside the region, the city will also provide a residential support program covering monthly rent of 400,000 won for up to six months.

Daegu city said it will continue to consolidate its local startup support capabilities to attract and retain high-quality startups, working toward establishing Daegu as a "startup city" where companies can come, grow and advance into larger markets.

"We will spare no effort in creating a business-friendly environment and providing practical support so that outstanding startups from across the country can find new opportunities and grow in Daegu," Mayor Choo Kyung-ho said.


kbj7653@heraldcorp.com