Applications are open for Korea’s 2026 Restartup Activation Awards, which recognize successful restartup founders and people who have contributed to the restartup ecosystem. The program will present 12 Ministerial Commendations, and applications close at 4:00 p.m. KST on August 26, 2026.
Who is eligible?
- Restartup founders: representatives of restartup companies that have contributed to restartup activity and the national economy. The company must be no more than seven years old as of the announcement date.
- Restartup support professionals: employees of support organizations and other individuals with documented contributions in founder discovery, support, research, policy development, investment, or ecosystem building.
Founders may apply directly or be recommended by a government body, local authority, public institution, university, VC, AC, or another eligible support organization. Applicants in the support category need a recommendation letter from the head or representative of their organization. Applicants may not enter both categories.
Award scale and additional benefits
- Restartup founder category: 8 Ministerial Commendations
- Restartup support category: 4 Ministerial Commendations
- Total: 12 commendations from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups
Award recipients may receive an exemption from the document review and three additional points in the presentation review when applying for commercialization support under the 2027 Restartup Success Package. These benefits do not apply if the recipient fails the 2027 eligibility requirements or the responsible-management assessment. Preferential consideration for the Korea Technology Finance Corporation’s restart support guarantee is also planned.
Application period and method
The application window runs from 5:30 p.m. KST on July 27 through 4:00 p.m. KST on August 26, 2026. Applications must be submitted online through K-Startup. On the portal, follow Business Application Management, Business Application, Education and Event Application, Event, and then Search and Apply.
Required materials include the award application, statement of merit, and personal or company information consent forms. Applicants must use the supplied templates without altering their format. The attachment limit is 50 MB.
How selection works
The process consists of eligibility and document review, comprehensive review, on-site verification, merit review, and final notice. On-site verification applies only to the restartup founder category. The comprehensive review is expected to select about 18 candidates, roughly 1.5 times the final award count.
In the founder category, eligible businesses may receive two points each for disability-owned or disability-employing status, women-owned status, and having headquarters outside Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi. The combined bonus is capped at five points.
Important cautions
- Founder applicants undergo a responsible-management assessment covering matters such as fraudulent accounting, intentional default, and unfair dismissal in the previous business.
- Applicants may be restricted because of pending or recent disciplinary action, reinstatement after removal from office, personnel action following an audit or public controversy, or a recent job-related warning.
- Other exclusions under national award rules, public verification, or the merit committee also apply.
- As a rule, a person who received another ministerial commendation within the previous two years is restricted.
- A founder applicant who cannot participate in the required on-site verification may be removed from the merit review.
- Recipients must attend the Restart Challenge Day ceremony planned for the third week of November 2026.
Practical tip
Build the statement of merit around verifiable outcomes rather than a general career history. Connect restartup achievements to evidence such as employment, revenue, investment, innovation, or ecosystem impact. Applicants needing an institutional recommendation should secure the official letter well before the deadline.
This article summarizes the official notice for general information. Confirm the final eligibility rules, required documents, and templates on K-Startup before submitting an application.
Official sources and verification date
- K-Startup official award announcement
- Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development press release
- Verified July 31, 2026