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Korea Is Becoming the Next Big Startup Playground

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Korea Is Becoming the Next Big Startup Playground


Modu Startup Phase 2: What the Expansion Means for Foreign Founders in Korea


Korea's national startup audition, "Modu Startup" (모두의 창업 프로젝트, literally "Startup for All"), is entering its 2nd phase. This time, the number of participants will be doubled from 5,000 to 10,000. Run by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the program is quickly becoming one of the clearest signals yet of how seriously the Korean government is betting on its startup ecosystem.


Let’s take a look at the good news…


Popularity is growing among entrepreneurs

Phase 1 selected 5,000 participants out of roughly 63,000 applicants. 12.5 : 1 competition rate shows that there is a thriving startup scene in Korea now.


Double the Chances

For Phase 2 of Modu Startup, which will be launched in late August 2026, there will be 10,000 spots available. This is double the number of 5,000 available spots are compared to the first round.


Expanded Eligibility

The limit to operating history of startups has been extended to up to 7 years. Your startup is never too ‘old’ to participate!


200+ Support Organizations

Expanded from 126 organizations in the first round.


More Corporate & VC Participation

The network of participating accelerators, VCs, and large/mid-size corporate partners is expanding from around 100 to around 200 organizations.


Did you know?

Modu Startup program is not only limited to local Korean startups. In fact, foreigners are welcomed too! As the name suggest, it is “Startup for ALL”.


Expanding startup scene in Korea

The 10,000 spots for founders in Phase 2 are more than just more vacancy. It’s a sign that Korea’s startup ecosystem is expanding. With more government-backed support, mentorship, investors, and institutions entering the ecosystem, the opportunities for entrepreneurs are growing. If you’ve been thinking about building a startup in Korea, now is the time to start.


How to Get In

Modu Startup (모두의 창업) applications run through the official K-Startup platform. Because timelines and exact requirements are set by round-specific announcements, we'd recommend registering for K-Startup notifications directly rather than relying on any single date. If you want a second set of eyes on your eligibility or application before you submit, VizaBridge offers free consultations for foreign founders navigating Korea's startup programs. Check our Events page often!


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