Applications for Cohort 8 of Korea’s Rising Leaders 300 program are open through August 14, 2026. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Woori Bank jointly operate the program for mid-sized and prospective mid-sized companies, offering loans of up to KRW 30 billion per company and interest-rate discounts of up to 1.0 percentage point.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants are Korean mid-sized enterprises and companies officially considered prospective mid-sized enterprises. Applicants select one of four tracks: Global Leader for exports, K-Tech Leader for R&D, Future Value Leader for ESG, or AX Leap for AI transformation. Eligibility and scoring differ by track.
Support package
- Loans of up to KRW 30 billion per company
- Interest-rate discount of up to 1.0 percentage point
- Links to specialist agencies for exports, R&D, ESG and AX
- Non-financial services supporting management and global expansion
The maximum loan and rate discount are not guaranteed. Actual financing depends on Woori Bank’s credit and suitability review.
Timeline and selection process
Applications run from July 27 through August 14, with around 40 companies expected to be selected. KOTRA, the Federation of Middle Market Enterprises of Korea, the Korea Industrial Intelligence Association and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology conduct first-stage reviews by track. Woori Bank then evaluates financing suitability, with final selection planned for early September.
How to prepare
- Confirm official mid-sized or prospective mid-sized company status.
- Select the track that best matches the investment objective.
- Quantify the use of funds and expected export, revenue, employment or transformation results.
- Prepare financial statements and current borrowing information for the bank review.
Important cautions
A ministry recommendation does not equal loan approval. Woori Bank conducts a separate financing review, and application forms or submission channels may differ by track. Review the latest attachments and specialist-agency instructions before filing.
Final tip
Explain the measurable path from the proposed financing to export growth, R&D outcomes, ESG transition or AX results rather than presenting only a general funding need.
This is a program summary; final selection and financing terms depend on official review.
Official sources and verification date
Verified on August 1, 2026, using the official FOMEK notice and attachments and announcements from MOTIE and Woori Bank. The latest official documents take precedence.
