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Today, let's take a look at the Didimdol Service R&D program!

First, what is the Didimdol R&D program?

The Didimdol R&D program is a business-led initiative within the Small and Medium Business Technology Development Project. It supports the growth of startups that have been established for 7 years or less and have annual sales of less than 2 billion KRW. It provides step-by-step support for R&D innovation capabilities to startups that meet specific eligibility criteria for each sub-project.

Startups with less than 7 years of operation and sales of less than 2 billion KRW in the most recent year should apply for the "Startup Growth Technology Development Project." Those with annual sales of 2 billion KRW or more should apply for the "SME Technology Innovation Development Project."

Program Overview

• Objective: Support technology development in fields capable of creating innovative services to foster new growth engines and strengthen competitiveness.

• Budget & Scale: Approximately 93.8 billion KRW in total / Around 1,030 companies (Approx. 500 in the first half, 500 in the second half, and 130 for strategic projects).

• Eligibility: Startups with no prior history of executing Ministry of Startups and SMEs (MSS) R&D projects that seek to develop new services (business models).

• Scope of Support: Improvements to service delivery systems or development of new services (business models).

• Funding Terms: Up to 80% of the total R&D expenses.

Support Packages

• Expansion of Programs Linked with Creative Economy & Innovation Centers (75.6 billion KRW, 760 projects)

  To enhance synergies with startup commercialization and investment support, this program expands the network linkage with Creative Economy & Innovation Centers piloted in 2022. It combines funding with the unique accelerator programs of each center.

• Scale-up Support for Deep-Tech Startups (Laboratory Startups: 3.8 billion KRW, 50 projects / Deep-Tech: 3.0 billion KRW, 40 projects)

  This initiative supports specialized technology development for university-based laboratory startups possessing high-value technologies. It boosts commercialization success by offering management consulting from accounting experts and linking them with guarantees to secure business funds. It also supports technology development for outstanding deep-tech startups with high growth potential and core technologies. The "Top 10 Deep-Tech Areas" include: ① System Semiconductors, ② Bio-Health, ③ Future Mobility, ④ Green Energy, ⑤ Robotics, ⑥ Big Data & AI, ⑦ Cybersecurity & Networks, ⑧ Aerospace & Oceanics, ⑨ Next-Generation Nuclear Power, and ⑩ Quantum Technology.

• Global Startup Technology Development Support (3.0 billion KRW, 40 projects)

  Technology development designed to strengthen the global expansion capabilities of born-global startups with defined overseas strategies.

• New Support for Service R&D (3.6 billion KRW, 60 projects) and Women-led R&D (3.0 billion KRW, 50 projects)

  This program introduces R&D funding for the service sector, which has high value-add and job-creation potential. It focuses on supporting digital-based startups in developing brand-new services (business models). It also drives technology development support for female-owned businesses, companies employing women re-entering the workforce, and projects involving female researchers to encourage women's economic participation.

Sub-Project Types (As of 2023)

Process Flow

Project Announcement (MSS) → Application Submission (Specialized Institution) → Eligibility Review (Specialized Institution) → Written Evaluation (Specialized Institution) → In-Person Interview Evaluation (Specialized Institution) → Final Selection (MSS) → Agreement & Government R&D Funding Disbursement (Specialized Institution → Selected Company) → Project Management & Monitoring (Specialized Institution)

Inquiries

• Related Websites ◦ Ministry of SMEs and Startups: http://www.mss.go.kr

  • SMTECH (SME Technology Development Total Management System): http://smtech.go.kr

  • Integrated Research Information System (IRIS): http://www.iris.go.kr

  • KakaoTalk Plus Friend: "1357 Integrated Call Center for SMEs" / http://pf.kakao.com/_IIfqd

Today, we explored the Didimdol and strategic tracks of the Startup Growth Technology Development Project.

Please note that the details provided above are based on the 2023 guidelines. Be sure to verify the official announcement for the current year once the new guidelines are released.

We will return with more helpful and informative content in our next post.

Thank you!