The Ministry of Education and the Korea Young Entrepreneurs Foundation are accepting applications for the 2026 Promising Student Startup Team 300+ program through April 27.
The Student Startup Promising Team 300+ is a flagship student entrepreneurship development program that provides startup education and one-on-one mentoring to elementary, middle, high school, and university students nationwide, as well as out-of-school youth.
Since its launch in 2016, approximately 10,000 teams have participated through last year, with student interest growing annually — reaching a record 1,508 applicants in 2025. This year, a combined total of 400 teams will be selected by the end of May across two tracks.
The Growth Track (360 teams) is open to both pre-startup and active startup teams, and includes a Vocational College Track (50 teams) and an International Student Track (10 teams). The Leap Track (40 teams) focuses on strengthening investment attraction capabilities for established startup teams, with the top 19 teams earning a spot in the national finals of K-Startup of the Year 2026, an inter-ministerial startup competition.
This year’s program places greater emphasis on hands-on, immersive education through direct engagement with experienced entrepreneurs. All selected teams will receive field-specific and regional networking opportunities along with one-on-one mentoring. Top-performing teams will also be supported with seed investment connections, open innovation opportunities, and participation in international emerging technology expos.
