The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) has announced the official rollout of the ‘Startup-BuS (Build up Strategy for Startups)’ program, which was initiated by the Center for Creative Economy Innovation (CCEI) in May 2024. The program provides comprehensive support to promising deep-tech startups in regional areas, ranging from initial to follow-up investments.

After a successful pilot year involving five CCEIs—Gyeonggi, Incheon, Chungbuk, Ulsan, and Gwangju—the program will expand in 2025 to include three additional centers in Gangwon, Gyeongnam, and Jeju. Regional startups are invited to participate in weekly mini pitching events at each CCEI, continuing the practice established in 2024.

Startup-BuS is tailored to expedite support for regional startups, offering seed investments within three months, TIPS program inclusion within six months, and follow-up investments within a year. In 2024, the program identified 406 companies across five centers, with 110 securing about KRW 29.6 billion ($22.6 million) in combined direct and indirect investments. 

Notably, Artblood Inc., from the Chungbuk Center, secured KRW 6.5 billion ($5 million) in investments by the year’s end, thanks to its innovative red blood cell technology for blood reagents, including KRW 4 billion ($3 million) from its Series A round.

In 2025, the eight CCEIs will host joint investment briefings in April, July, and September through Startup-BuS to showcase regionally nurtured startups to both domestic and international investors, expanding their opportunities for securing additional investments.

Furthermore, the ‘2025 Specialized Startup Package Program’ aims to foster startups with promising business concepts in non-capital regions. Targeting new industry sector startups located outside capital regions and in operation for under ten years, the program will provide customized financial support tailored to the startups’ specific investment stages. Around 70 companies will be selected via two methods: ‘General Recruitment’ and ‘Regional CCEI Recommendation’, with applications open on the K-Startup website from February 19 to March 7.

Distinctively, the Specialized Startup Package, led by the Chungnam and Jeonnam CCEIs, will collaborate with major regional industries. The Chungnam Center will focus on climate tech startups in partnership with firms like SK Ecoplant, whereas the Jeonnam Center aims to support energy sector startups, working with companies such as GS and Korea Electric Power Corporation.

CHO Gyung-won, Director General for Startup Policy, affirmed, “The Startup-BuS program, aimed at continuous discovery and rapid nurturing of startups through regional CCEIs, was firmly established in 2024 and is set to expand in 2025. By integrating the Startup-BuS and the Specialized Startup Package as fundamental frameworks, we are committed to actively supporting regional startups to thrive and grow.”