OPPORTUNITY: Expand your startup into South Korea through K-Scouter 2026
Are you a South African business looking to break into new markets – specifically Asia? At the SA Trade Desk, we are constantly on the lookout for opportunities for entrepreneurs and here is one that might grab your attention.
Applications are now open for K-Scouter 2026, a Korean government-backed acceleration programme designed to help innovative international startups enter the South Korean market and expand into Asia.
Backed by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) and the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development (KISED), the programme supports high-potential startups through business matching, investor engagement, market-entry support and participation in COMEUP 2026, Korea’s leading global startup festival.
Selected startups will receive:
- Business matching with Korean corporates and customers
- Investor introductions and ecosystem networking
- Product-market fit validation and Proof of Concept (PoC) support
- Market-entry planning and localisation guidance
- Startup Visa (D-8-S) and company establishment support
- Round-trip airfare support to South Korea
- Participation in COMEUP 2026
Who should apply?
Innovative startups that:
- Are registered outside South Korea
- Have no existing presence in Korea
- Are less than 7 years old (or 10 years for Deep Tech startups)
- Operate in sectors including AI, B2B SaaS, Deep Tech, Healthcare, Robotics, Manufacturing, ESG and other innovative industries
- Demonstrate a clear interest in entering the Korean market
Program Activities and Benefits
8 selected startups will join a 5-month hybrid program.
- Online: August – November
- Offline: December
Market Access & Business Development
- Investor and ecosystem connections.
- Business matching with Korean companies and potential customers.
- Strategic partner introductions.
- Product-market fit validation and PoC support
Korea Expansion Support
- Market-entry planning and localization support.
- Customer discovery and commercial opportunity exploration.
- Access to Korea’s innovation ecosystem and business infrastructures.
- Expansion planning to Korea and through Korea as a gateway to Asia.
Landing & Establishment Support
- Ministry-issued recommendation letter.
- Special Startup-Visa issuance.
- Company establishment support. Administrative & legal business support.
Travel & Ecosystem Access
- Round-trip airfare support to Korea.
- Participation in the Korea on-ground program.
- Access to startup events, networking opportunities, and ecosystem activities.
- Participation in COMEUP, Korea’s leading startup festival.
Application Deadline: 10 July 2026
More Info available here.
