The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) hosted the 2025 Super Gap Startup Renovation Day at the Fairmont Ambassador Hotel in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, gathering over 300 participants including startup founders, executives from global corporations, venture capitalists, and industry experts. The event was organized to showcase the achievements of the government’s Super Gap Startup 1000+ Project, which supports startups with the potential to lead in advanced industries, and to introduce new programs aimed at accelerating their global growth.
Since the project’s launch in 2023, a total of 407 startups have received government support, resulting in significant outcomes. Among the supported companies, two deep-tech startups have reached unicorn status, while 51 others have become soonicorns with valuations exceeding KRW 100 billion. These startups have shown measurable progress, with an average revenue increase of 4.4 percent, an 18.5 percent rise in employment, and a 43.2 percent growth in cumulative investment attracted.
In addition, seven startups secured a combined investment of KRW 32 billion through specialized funding programs, nine companies successfully went public on the KOSDAQ, and 35 startups were recognized with innovation awards at CES 2024 and 2025.
To build on this progress, the Ministry unveiled several new initiatives under the Super Gap framework. The Super Gap Link-Up Program is designed to promote collaboration between startups and major corporations in high-growth sectors such as bio-health, future mobility, robotics, and green energy, with the goal of supporting market entry, investment, and global expansion.
The Super Gap VC Membership brings together a consortium of 20 venture capital and corporate venture capital firms that will hold regular investment forums and networking events to strengthen funding pipelines for deep-tech startups. Additionally, the Super Gap Tech-IPO Connect initiative will involve a coalition of major and specialized securities firms working to actively support initial public offerings for promising startups, enhancing their ability to scale globally.
Minister Oh Young-joo emphasized the government’s commitment to being a strong supporter of startups, stating that these policies are designed to help Korean deep-tech startups establish themselves in global markets and become core players in next-generation industries
