South Korea's 4 science and technology institutes to help deep tech startups go global

South Korea's four major science and technology institutes are joining forces to help deep tech startups in AI, quantum technology, next-generation energy and biotech break into global markets.

KAIST, GIST, DGIST and UNIST announced Monday that they are jointly running the "2026 Emerging Tech Global Launchpad," a program backed by the Ministry of Science and ICT that supports overseas proof-of-concept validation, investment attraction and global network building. Applications are open through June 19.

The program is designed to help companies leverage their domestic technology capabilities to validate proof-of-concept overseas and test the viability of global commercialization.

Support is tailored to each company's stage of readiness and target market, drawing on the regional startup networks and overseas cooperation infrastructure maintained by the four institutes.

The program offers two tracks. Track 1, the "Global Entry Track," targets companies already preparing to enter overseas markets or that have begun initial forays abroad. Selected companies will participate in overseas proof-of-concept projects to verify how well their technology fits local customers and whether commercialization is feasible. They will also receive access to testing environments linked with local partners and expert networks.

Proof of concept — the stage at which a technology is tested to see whether it works as intended in a real market and customer environment — is considered a critical step in global expansion for startups, as it allows them to confirm product-market fit and commercial potential abroad.

Track 2, the "Global Readiness Track," is aimed at companies looking to build their capacity for overseas expansion. It provides tailored proof-of-concept training and an intensive commercialization support program focused on refining overseas product and customer discovery strategies, designing investment attraction scenarios and developing market-entry methodologies.

After the proof-of-concept development phase, participants will also receive support to find PoC customers through international conferences at major innovation hubs, including the U.S. West Coast, the U.S. East Coast and Singapore. Through these events, participating companies are expected to meet local businesses, investors and representatives of global big tech firms, expanding opportunities for technology validation and business collaboration.

Eligibility is limited to emerging tech companies in the regions covered by each institute: KAIST handles the central region, GIST the Honam region, DGIST the Daegyeong region and UNIST the southeastern region. Companies whose chief executive is affiliated with one of the four institutes may apply through their affiliated institution regardless of where the company is based — a provision intended to lower the barrier for researchers, faculty and graduate student founders at the institutes.

"This program is significant because it brings together the regional startup support capabilities and global networks of each institute to build a nationwide deep tech startup support system," KAIST President Lee Kwang-hyung said. "We will actively support domestic technology companies so they can reduce trial and error when entering overseas markets, generate results quickly and grow into globally competitive enterprises."