Hello! This is LUMOS, the automated management solution for government-funded research and development (R&D) expenses. Today, we will discuss the TIPS Linked Support Programs.
You are likely already familiar with the TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startup Korea) R&D program. TIPS is a private investment-backed technical startup support program initiated by the government to foster startups. The program provides the necessary resources for business creation—including investment, incubation, R&D, general marketing, and global marketing—to ensure a successful launch. Through TIPS, enterprises can improve their survival rate and focus on critical research and development.
The baseline TIPS program offers up to 500 million KRW. However, once selected for TIPS, companies can receive two additional types of assistance from the government through the "Linked Support Program."
• (Business Commercialization) Up to 100 million KRW in differential funding (minimum 30% matching share: minimum 10% in cash, maximum 20% in-kind)
• (Global Marketing) Up to 100 million KRW in differential funding (minimum 30% matching share: minimum 10% in cash, maximum 20% in-kind)
Through these two linked support programs, an enterprise can secure up to 200 million KRW in additional funding. Let's look at how you can apply for this linked support. The details below are based on the 2023 TIPS Startup Support Plan announcement.
(Linked Support) Eligible to enterprises selected for the TIPS R&D program
Business Commercialization & Global Marketing: Startups with a specific commercialization plan for their product/service or a defined global market entry strategy and plan (Note: Startups exceeding 7 years in operation at the time of application are ineligible).
When applying through the Integrated Evaluation (R&D + Linked Support), enterprises must meet the eligibility criteria for each specific linked support program; unqualified applications will be excluded from evaluation.
TIPS-performing enterprises that meet the eligibility criteria but have not yet paticipated in the Linked Support Program will receive separate application instructions.
Exclusions from Support
TIPS (R&D)
① Startups that have already been selected for and received support (R&D, Business Commercialization, Global Marketing) under the TIPS program (re-participation is not permitted).
② Enterprises currently executing Seed TIPS, Pre-TIPS, or TIPS-R (eligible to apply only after graduation).
③ Business types excluded from startup support under Article 4 of the Enforcement Decree of the Support for Small and Medium Enterprise Startups Act (refer to Annex 3).
④ Enterprises currently subject to "Restrictions on Participation" or "Exclusion from Support" in SME technology development projects or national R&D programs.
⑤ Employers currently publicly blacklisted by the Ministry of Employment and Labor for unpaid wages.
⑥ Other entities or enterprises deemed by the Minister of SMEs and Startups to have valid grounds for restriction from participation.
※ For detailed exclusion criteria, please refer to "Annex 4: TIPS Application Restrictions and Notes" and the "TIPS General Operating Guidelines."
Business Commercialization (Non-R&D)
① Startups currently executing a project under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' "Startup Commercialization Support Program" may participate only after that project has concluded.
This program provides funding to entrepreneurs for expenditures related to business commercialization, such as prototype production, intellectual property application and registration, and marketing. ** If a company is selected for multiple programs through simultaneous applications, it must choose a single program prior to the agreement date of each project, and can only execute the first signed agreement.
② Voucher programs (such as tax/accounting, non-face-to-face, or growth promotion vouchers) and global expansion recruitment support programs may be received concurrently with this program.
③ Enterprises currently executing a startup commercialization project may apply if the remaining period of their current agreement is less than 3 months. However, an agreement cannot be signed if the new business agreement period overlaps after selection.
④ If an enterprise is identified as ineligible due to overlapping support during project execution post-selection, penalties such as funding retrieval and restrictions on future participation may apply.
※ For detailed exclusion criteria, please refer to "Annex 5: Guidelines on TIPS Business Commercialization and Global Marketing."
Global Marketing (Non-R&D)
① Startups currently executing a project under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' "Global Startup Support Program" may participate only after that project has concluded.
This program provides funding to entrepreneurs for expenditures required for global expansion, such as intellectual property application and registration, and global marketing.
If a company is selected for multiple programs through simultaneous applications, it must choose a single program prior to the agreement date of each project, and can only execute the first signed agreement.
② Voucher programs (such as tax/accounting, non-face-to-face, or growth promotion vouchers) and global expansion recruitment support programs may be received concurrently with this program.
③ Enterprises currently executing a global startup support project may apply if the remaining period of their current agreement is less than 3 months. However, an agreement cannot be signed if the new business agreement period overlaps after selection.
④ If an enterprise is identified as ineligible due to overlapping support during project execution post-selection, penalties such as funding retrieval and restrictions on future participation may apply.
※ For detailed exclusion criteria, please refer to "Annex 5: Guidelines on TIPS Business Commercialization and Global Marketing."
Selection Process
The selection of startups may close early if the allocated budget is exhausted. Certain procedures may run concurrently or separately depending on the operational status and schedule of the program.
If an enterprise does not apply for the Integrated Evaluation, the linked support programs (Business Commercialization, Global Marketing) will be selected through a separate evaluation process.
(Operating Agency) Korea Business Angel Association | (Specialized Agency) Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs | (Dedicated Agency) Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development (for Business Commercialization and Global Marketing)
※ Appeals regarding the selection evaluation results can only be submitted once, directly to the Operating Agency.
For startups that successfully pass all evaluation stages, the final selection (R&D), the approval of the linked support programs (Business Commercialization, Global Marketing), the duration, and the funding amounts will be determined by considering the overall evaluation score and budget availability.
Agreement signing, disbursement of R&D funds, and delivery of linked support (managed by Specialized/Dedicated Agencies, etc.).
(Business Commercialization & Global Marketing Funds) Differential funding is provided after a tripartite agreement is signed between the startup, the host organization, and the dedicated agency.
Because enterprises recommended by a TIPS operator can also secure funding for linked support programs such as Business Commercialization and Global Marketing, please keep these programs in mind and apply when the opportunity arises.
We will return with more informative and professional content in our next post.
Thank you.
