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10 Websites Every Foreign Founder Should Bookmark Before Starting a Business in Korea

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Thinking about starting a business in Korea?

At some point, you're going to start searching things like:

“What startup support programmes are available?”

“When does the next competition open?”

“How do foreigners register a company in Korea?”

“Are there any government-funded programmes I can apply for?”

And then you discover that there are a lot of Korean government websites.

The problem is figuring out which ones are actually useful.

So, if you're a foreign founder exploring Korea, here are some websites worth bookmarking. Each one serves a slightly different purpose, from finding startup programmes and competitions to understanding incorporation, investment and the wider Korean startup ecosystem.


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1. K-Startup

K-Startup

Your starting point for Korean government startup programmes.

If you're looking for startup support in Korea, this is probably one of the first websites you should check.

K-Startup brings together information on startup support programmes, announcements and useful government resources. You can find programmes related to funding, commercialisation, R&D, mentoring, education, incubation and more.


What you can use it for:

  • Finding government startup support programmes
  • Checking application announcements and deadlines
  • Looking for funding and commercialisation opportunities
  • Finding startup education and mentoring programmes
  • Discovering other government startup-related platforms

Bookmark this if: you want to keep track of opportunities you could actually apply for.


2. Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS)

Ministry of SMEs and Startups

Want to know what the Korean government is planning for startups? Start here.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups is responsible for policies supporting Korean SMEs, startups and entrepreneurs.

Its English website publishes policy updates, press releases, notices and information about government initiatives. This can be especially useful when you want to understand where Korea's startup policy is heading, rather than just looking for individual programmes.

For example, recent announcements have covered programmes supporting foreign startup founders, Startup for All, global startup initiatives and other major policy changes.


What you can use it for:

  • Government startup policy updates
  • New support programmes
  • Funding and scale-up initiatives
  • Foreign-founder programmes
  • Major startup announcements
  • Understanding Korea's broader startup direction

Bookmark this if: you want to know what opportunities are coming, not just what is available today.


3. Startup Korea / Global Startup Center

Startup Korea / Global Startup Center

One of the most relevant websites if you're a foreign founder.

The Global Startup Center is operated by MSS and KISED and focuses specifically on helping foreign entrepreneurs establish and grow their businesses in Korea.

This is where you can find information about programmes such as OASIS, foreign-founder support programmes, expert consultations, startup spaces and other opportunities designed for international entrepreneurs.

You can also find information about programmes such as the Global Startup Commercialization Support Program, which provides support for foreign tech-based startups looking to commercialise and expand in Korea.


What you can use it for:

  • OASIS and startup visa-related programmes
  • Foreign-founder support
  • Commercialisation programmes
  • Expert consultations
  • Startup events and programmes
  • Coworking and startup spaces
  • Information specifically relevant to international entrepreneurs

Bookmark this if: you're a foreign founder already in Korea or seriously considering entering the Korean startup ecosystem.

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4. Invest KOREA

Invest KOREA

Trying to understand how to actually set up a company in Korea?

Invest KOREA is operated by KOTRA and provides information for foreign investors entering Korea.

Its website has practical information on how foreigners can start businesses, different types of foreign enterprises, incorporation procedures, investment processes, industrial sites and other aspects of doing business in Korea.

For example, its incorporation guide explains the steps involved in establishing a foreign-invested company, from foreign investment notification through incorporation and business registration.


What you can use it for:

  • Understanding company establishment
  • Foreign investment procedures
  • Types of corporate entities
  • Incorporation processes
  • Business locations and industrial sites
  • Investment-related information

Bookmark this if: you're moving from “I want to start a business in Korea” to “Okay, how do I actually set it up?”


5. Seoul Global Center

Seoul Global Center

Especially useful if Seoul is where you plan to build.

Seoul Global Centre provides information and support for foreign residents, including foreign entrepreneurs.

Its website regularly publishes announcements about startup programmes, OASIS courses, competitions, incorporation support and expert consultations. For example, its 2026 programmes have included OASIS-8 incorporation support and startup competitions for foreign entrepreneurs.

It also offers expert consultations covering areas such as law, taxation and management.


What you can use it for:

  • OASIS programmes
  • Startup competitions
  • Incorporation support
  • Legal and tax consultations
  • Foreign entrepreneur support
  • Seoul-based startup opportunities

Bookmark this if: you're a foreign founder based in Seoul or planning to establish your startup there.


6. Startup Plus

Startup Plus

Looking for opportunities specifically within Seoul's startup ecosystem?

Startup Plus is a Seoul startup platform where you can find startup support projects, programmes and ecosystem information.

It also connects startups with investors and provides information around areas such as acceleration, technology and global expansion.


What you can use it for:

  • Seoul startup programmes
  • Acceleration opportunities
  • Investment connections
  • Global expansion programmes
  • Startup ecosystem events
  • Technology and business support

Bookmark this if: you're building your company in Seoul and want to see what the local ecosystem has to offer.


7. KOTRA

KOTRA

Want to understand Korea's business and investment environment?

KOTRA, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, supports foreign investment into Korea as well as Korean companies expanding internationally.

For foreign founders, it can be particularly useful when you're researching investment, industries, business locations and the wider Korean business environment.

Invest KOREA itself operates under KOTRA, so these resources can complement each other.

What you can use it for:

  • Investment information
  • Industry information
  • Business environment research
  • Market and trade information
  • Investment support

Bookmark this if: your plans involve investment, market entry or understanding a specific Korean industry.


8. Seoul Startup Hub

Seoul Startup Hub

Want to see what is happening inside Seoul's startup ecosystem?

Seoul Startup Hub is useful for founders who want to connect with programmes, accelerators, investors, corporates and other players in the ecosystem.

Its programmes include acceleration, PoC opportunities, global expansion and inbound programmes for international entrepreneurs and startup ecosystem stakeholders.


What you can use it for:

  • Accelerator programmes
  • PoC opportunities
  • Global expansion
  • Startup events and networking
  • Connections with investors and ecosystem partners

Bookmark this if: you're looking beyond incorporation and want to build relationships within Korea's startup ecosystem.


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9. HiKorea

HiKorea

Starting a business is only part of the process. What about your immigration status?

HiKorea is the Korean government's online immigration service portal.

For foreign founders, it is useful for checking immigration-related information and handling certain immigration services and applications online.

This is particularly important if your startup plans are connected to a Korean startup or business visa.


What you can use it for:

  • Immigration information
  • Stay and visa-related services
  • Online immigration applications
  • Checking immigration procedures

Bookmark this if: your business plans involve staying in Korea to build and operate your company.


10. Korean Government News & Policy Websites

Sometimes the opportunity you need isn't sitting neatly under a tab labelled “Startup Opportunities.”

A new programme might first appear as a government announcement. A policy change might affect foreign founders before it appears on a startup platform. A competition might be announced by a ministry, local government or startup support organisation.

That's why it is worth following the government websites connected to your industry and location.

For example, MSS regularly publishes announcements about new startup programmes and policy changes, including initiatives specifically involving foreign entrepreneurs.

The trick is not to bookmark every government website you come across.

Start with the ones that are most relevant to your business, then expand your list as you learn more about your industry.


So, Which Websites Should You Actually Bookmark?

If you don't want ten tabs open every time you start researching Korea, start with these five:


For startup programmes:

→ K-Startup

For government policy and announcements:

→ Ministry of SMEs and Startups

For foreign-founder opportunities:

→ Startup Korea / Global Startup Center

For incorporation and investment:

→ Invest KOREA

For Seoul-based support:

→ Seoul Global Center


Then add the others depending on what you're trying to do.

Because building a business in Korea isn't just about finding one website that tells you everything.


You need to know where to look for opportunities, where to check official information, and where to go when you need help with the practical side of setting up.


And honestly, knowing where to look can save you a lot of time.


Save this list. You'll probably come back to it.


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