Blab Tech
South Korea Launches Deep Tech Startup Academy 5D Program to Accelerate Commercialization and Investment
South Korea has just unveiled a bold new engine for deep‑tech innovation. The Korean Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups Agency (KOSME) and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced the first cohort of the Deep Tech Startup Academy 5D program, a 2026 initiative designed to shepherd deep‑tech firms from research labs into the marketplace and secure the capital they need to scale.
The inaugural cohort will comprise 200 startups that meet two strict criteria: their founder or key representative must be 39 years old or younger, and the company must have been established within the last seven years. Each selected company can receive up to 200 million won in commercialization funds, a financial boost aimed at turning prototypes into products.
The 5D program is structured around the entire life cycle of a deep‑tech venture. It offers a mix of training, workshops, and networking designed to sharpen investor‑relations (IR) skills, advance corporate strategy, and facilitate peer learning. Startups also gain access to investor meet‑ups, direct investment opportunities from general partners, and a network of private investors.
CNTTech, the operator of the program, has pledged 1.2 billion won in direct investments. The firm’s role extends beyond capital; it provides follow‑on investment support, startup workspace, and infrastructure assistance to help participants bring their technologies to market.
A core feature of the academy is its focus on the unique hurdles that deep‑tech companies face. Each startup undergoes a technology readiness level (TRL) diagnosis to assess the maturity of its core technology and pinpoint gaps. The program also aligns intellectual‑property (IP) strategy with technology valuation, aiming to protect critical assets while boosting market positioning.
To improve funding prospects, the academy runs a “due diligence preparation class.” The course reviews potential investor concerns and teaches startups how to address weaknesses before they pitch.
Collaboration is a key pillar. Cohort founders already engage in peer‑learning sessions and networking events, fostering a community that can leverage collective expertise and connections within the private‑investment ecosystem.
Two startups illustrate the program’s impact. Dagyum, an AI‑solutions firm, secured a 15.5 billion won Series B round led by LS Securities, Kyobo Securities, Mobidic Ventures, and the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund (KODIT). Dagyum had received early‑stage investment from CNTTech in 2022, demonstrating the program’s ability to link technology commercialization with follow‑on funding.
Almond&Co., a beauty‑tech startup, attracted a strategic investment from a KOSDAQ‑listed esthetics company after joining the academy. The deal is cited as a model example of how the program can drive both financing and business collaboration.
The Deep Tech Startup Academy 5D program aims to boost the investment‑attraction competitiveness of its participants, expand private‑investment networks, and nurture deep‑tech ventures that can compete on a global scale.
The initiative is part of a broader effort by the Korean government to support high‑tech innovation. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups, headquartered in Sejong City, has been actively promoting startup ecosystems since its 2017 inception, while KOSME, a non‑profit organization funded by the government, implements policies to help small and medium enterprises grow.
CNTTech’s investment activities complement the program’s support. The accelerator has made multiple investments in the Korean startup scene, including recent stakes in companies such as Ag‑Uni and AdeAll.
The academy’s first cohort is slated to complete its program in late 2026, with follow‑up funding rounds and commercial launches anticipated in 2027. While the Korean government has not yet announced a formal evaluation of the program’s outcomes, early achievements by Dagyum and Almond&Co. suggest that the 5D model is already shaping the trajectory of South Korea’s deep‑tech sector.
The inaugural cohort will comprise 200 startups that meet two strict criteria: their founder or key representative must be 39 years old or younger, and the company must have been established within the last seven years. Each selected company can receive up to 200 million won in commercialization funds, a financial boost aimed at turning prototypes into products.
The 5D program is structured around the entire life cycle of a deep‑tech venture. It offers a mix of training, workshops, and networking designed to sharpen investor‑relations (IR) skills, advance corporate strategy, and facilitate peer learning. Startups also gain access to investor meet‑ups, direct investment opportunities from general partners, and a network of private investors.
CNTTech, the operator of the program, has pledged 1.2 billion won in direct investments. The firm’s role extends beyond capital; it provides follow‑on investment support, startup workspace, and infrastructure assistance to help participants bring their technologies to market.
A core feature of the academy is its focus on the unique hurdles that deep‑tech companies face. Each startup undergoes a technology readiness level (TRL) diagnosis to assess the maturity of its core technology and pinpoint gaps. The program also aligns intellectual‑property (IP) strategy with technology valuation, aiming to protect critical assets while boosting market positioning.
To improve funding prospects, the academy runs a “due diligence preparation class.” The course reviews potential investor concerns and teaches startups how to address weaknesses before they pitch.
Collaboration is a key pillar. Cohort founders already engage in peer‑learning sessions and networking events, fostering a community that can leverage collective expertise and connections within the private‑investment ecosystem.
Two startups illustrate the program’s impact. Dagyum, an AI‑solutions firm, secured a 15.5 billion won Series B round led by LS Securities, Kyobo Securities, Mobidic Ventures, and the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund (KODIT). Dagyum had received early‑stage investment from CNTTech in 2022, demonstrating the program’s ability to link technology commercialization with follow‑on funding.
Almond&Co., a beauty‑tech startup, attracted a strategic investment from a KOSDAQ‑listed esthetics company after joining the academy. The deal is cited as a model example of how the program can drive both financing and business collaboration.
The Deep Tech Startup Academy 5D program aims to boost the investment‑attraction competitiveness of its participants, expand private‑investment networks, and nurture deep‑tech ventures that can compete on a global scale.
The initiative is part of a broader effort by the Korean government to support high‑tech innovation. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups, headquartered in Sejong City, has been actively promoting startup ecosystems since its 2017 inception, while KOSME, a non‑profit organization funded by the government, implements policies to help small and medium enterprises grow.
CNTTech’s investment activities complement the program’s support. The accelerator has made multiple investments in the Korean startup scene, including recent stakes in companies such as Ag‑Uni and AdeAll.
The academy’s first cohort is slated to complete its program in late 2026, with follow‑up funding rounds and commercial launches anticipated in 2027. While the Korean government has not yet announced a formal evaluation of the program’s outcomes, early achievements by Dagyum and Almond&Co. suggest that the 5D model is already shaping the trajectory of South Korea’s deep‑tech sector.
