The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced that it will recruit AI startups to participate in the 'Core Domain AX (AI Transformation) Startup Incubation Project,' which aims to enhance productivity and economic and social outcomes by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) technology into various industries, from the 11th until August 1.
This project reflects the high demand for the 'Micro Gap' program, which is part of the first phase of the 'Super Gap Startup 1000+ Project' announced earlier this year, and has been additionally expanded through this second supplementary budget.
A total of 90 promising AI startups will be selected for this project. First, 50 innovative AI startups with advanced technologies in five key areas—bio, content, manufacturing, finance, and smart agriculture—will be selected and supported with up to 100 million won in commercialization funds for AX model development and technology advancement.
Additionally, 40 startups that establish 'AX Projects' applying AX to products and services in consortiums with large corporations, mid-sized companies, small and medium enterprises, micro-enterprises, and public institutions will be chosen. These startups will also receive collaboration funding of up to 100 million won and support for securing new sales channels.
Among the startups selected through this project, those that achieve excellent results through performance evaluations will be assisted in entering the global market via the 2026 'Super Gap Startup' project. In this case, up to 600 million won in commercialization funds, policy funds, technology guarantees, and research and development (R&D) will be provided over three years.
Meanwhile, following this announcement, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to additionally announce the 'Super Gap LLM Challenge,' which aims to create a commercialization-centered B2B collaboration model by combining the large language model (LLM) infrastructure of domestic big tech companies with the technological capabilities of AI startups.