The Ministry of Education and the Korea Young Entrepreneurs Foundation are now accepting applications for the 2026 Promising Student Startup Team 300+ program — and this year, 10 spots are reserved specifically for international student teams. The application window is open through April 27.

Now in its tenth year, the program has supported nearly 10,000 teams since its 2016 launch, making it Korea's flagship student entrepreneurship initiative. It serves students at every level — elementary through university — as well as out-of-school youth, offering structured startup education and one-on-one mentoring. Student demand has only grown: 2025 saw a record 1,508 applicants.

For 2026, a total of 400 teams will be selected across two tracks by the end of May.

The Growth Track (360 teams) welcomes both pre-startup and active startup teams, and includes a dedicated International Student Track with 10 available spots — making this a direct opportunity for international students building something in Korea. A separate Vocational College Track accounts for 50 of those slots.

The Leap Track (40 teams) is designed for more established startups looking to sharpen their investor readiness. The top 19 teams will advance to the national finals of K-Startup of the Year 2026, a high-profile inter-ministerial competition.

All selected teams gain access to field-specific and regional networking, personalized mentoring, and — for standout performers — seed investment introductions, open innovation pipelines, and invitations to international emerging technology expos. If you're an international student in Korea with a startup idea, this is the program built for you.