What is the "Productization-Centered Support Program"?
Korea's Ministry of SMEs and Startups' 2026 policy fund and startup support plan includes a new "Productization-Centered Support Program" that integrates support for manufacturing startups from prototype production through initial mass production. Detailed implementation plans and budget scale will be confirmed through a separate official announcement, so companies should verify exact eligibility requirements through the official notices on Bizinfo (bizinfo.go.kr) and KOSMES (kosmes.or.kr).
Why Integrated Support Is Needed: The Manufacturing "Valley of Death"
Even after successfully developing a prototype, many manufacturing startups fail to commercialize at the next hurdle — tooling, equipment setup, and initial mass production funding. This gap is often called the "valley of death." Previously, prototype support, commercialization funding, and equipment investment support were scattered across separate programs, forcing startups to search for and apply to a new program at each stage — a significant administrative burden.
Expected Benefits of Integration
What to Check Before Applying
Contact KITIM
KITIM supports manufacturing startups with identifying commercialization support programs, writing business plans, and building stage-by-stage funding roadmaps. Contact us through [KITIM Contact](/contact) if you're preparing to apply for the productization-centered support program.