Korea Credit Guarantee Fund Recruiting Companies for "Start-up NEST" Program

The Korea Credit Guarantee Fund is publicly recruiting companies to participate in the 19th AI Scaling-Up track of its "Start-up NEST" program, targeting innovative startups in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Applications will be accepted from February 9 to 24, 2026.

The program is open to startups operating in the AI sector that were founded within the last seven years. The Korea Credit Guarantee Fund plans to select around 10 companies and provide a development program from April to December 2026.

Start-up NEST is the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund's flagship startup development platform. It is divided into three stages - accelerating, financial support, and growth support - and offers both financial and non-financial services on a one-stop basis. According to the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund, a total of 9,238 startups have received support up to the 18th cohort, with 1,510 companies selected, resulting in an average competition ratio of 6.11 to 1.

This year, by collaborating with private accelerators specialized in AI, the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund will provide accelerating programs such as growth-strategy development, strengthening IR capabilities, and expert consulting, thereby supporting the scaling up of early-stage AI startups. Based on the funding needs identified during the accelerating process and the characteristics of each company, customized financial support such as guarantees and investments will also be linked.

Support for attracting private investment will also be strengthened. The Korea Credit Guarantee Fund will offer selected companies the opportunity to participate in the "U-CONNECT Demo Day" to expand their contact points with investors. It will also provide non-financial services such as technology mentoring and support for technology commercialization in collaboration with research institutions by supporting their move into "NEST AI LAB," a dedicated incubation space for AI startups. The fund also plans to promote overseas expansion and open innovation with large corporations and others.

A Korea Credit Guarantee Fund official said, "This is an open call designed to fully support the scaling up of innovative startups with AI technological capabilities," adding, "We will spare no effort so that the selected companies can grow into leading enterprises that drive the development of domestic industries."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.