South Korea introduces a strategy to develop 20 AI unicorns and one decacorn by 2030, offering selected startups over 10 billion won each for R&D and commercialisation alongside market expansion support.
South Korea has unveiled a comprehensive strategy to support artificial intelligence startups, aiming to develop 20 unicorn companies and at least one decacorn by 2030. The initiative focuses on strengthening the growth of domestic AI ventures through funding, research and development, commercialisation support, investment opportunities and international market access.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) announced the ‘AI Startup Beyond Unicorn Growth Strategy’ on November 11. Developed jointly with the Presidential Committee on AI, the strategy was introduced at Deep Dive Into 2026, the country’s largest deep-tech startup technology forum. It aims to identify promising AI companies at an early stage and provide structured assistance to help them scale into globally competitive businesses.
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The strategy is built around three key priorities: supporting startups throughout their growth lifecycle, accelerating innovation-led expansion and facilitating entry into international markets. These priorities are supported by 12 detailed action items designed to address challenges faced by AI ventures as they move from technology development to commercial operations.
Under the programme, the government will collaborate with academic institutions, research organisations, private companies and other stakeholders to identify early-stage AI businesses with the potential to become unicorns. Companies will be assessed using indicators such as investment performance and employment outcomes. Selected startups will receive performance targets to strengthen their commercial capabilities. Firms that progress through the final evaluation stage will be eligible for more than 10 billion won each in research and development and commercialisation funding.
The government also plans to establish a dedicated coordination body with the Presidential Committee on AI to oversee policies supporting AI unicorn development. A consortium involving startups, large corporations, investors and other participants will facilitate collaboration and help accelerate business growth.
To strengthen the operating environment for AI ventures, the strategy includes growth-stage-specific funding and an integrated testing infrastructure connecting semiconductors, cloud computing, large language models and AI services. The government will also encourage large companies and other buyers to incorporate startup-developed technologies into their products, creating opportunities for commercial adoption, purchases and sales channels.
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Public procurement will form another part of the initiative. South Korea plans to expand its government-first validation and purchasing approach, under which government agencies and public institutions act as initial customers for emerging AI technologies.
For international expansion, the government will pursue regulatory improvements, joint regulatory sandbox projects and overseas technology validation. It will also use domestic and international corporate infrastructure to support market development, establish country-specific AI connectors linking Korean startups with global buyers and help secure AI talent.
MSS Minister Lee So-young said comprehensive support covering technology development, validation, investment, market access and overseas expansion is essential for Korean AI startups to become global leaders.