2026–2027 Korea Youth Startup and Pre-Startup Patent One-Month Ultra-High-Speed Examination (All Technology Fields)

About

KIPO’s 2026–2027 program gives eligible Korean youth startup companies and pre-startup entrepreneurs an ultra-high-speed patent examination track intended to deliver a first examination result within one month across all technology fields.

Benefits

• ⚡One-month first examination result
  For eligible applications, KIPO provides a first examination result within one month, compared with about 14.7 months for standard examination.
• 📘Application guide
  KIPO provides a downloadable guide covering eligibility, required documents, application form examples, and FAQs for ultra-high-speed/priority examination.

Eligibility Criteria

• Youth startup companies with a representative aged 39 or younger and less than 7 years since business start are eligible.
• Pre-startup youth aged 39 or younger selected for Korean government startup support programs such as ‘모두의 아이디어’ or ‘모두의 창업’ may apply even before business registration.
• The program applies to patent and utility model applications seeking ultra-high-speed examination, with all technology fields eligible for youth startups.
• Applicants must submit a Request for Priority Examination (Form No. 22) with an ultra-high-speed examination description and required proof documents.
• If the procedure is handled by an agent, proof of the agent’s authority must be submitted.

Participation Commitments

• Submit a Request for Priority Examination (Form No. 22) with an ultra-high-speed examination description and the required proof documents.
• If the procedure is handled by an agent, submit documents proving the agent’s authority.
• The expanded youth startup and pre-startup ultra-high-speed examination track takes effect in November 2026, with implementation from 1 November 2026.
• The 2026–2027 youth startup and pre-startup ultra-high-speed examination operation plan notice was published by KIPO on 30 October 2026.

Target Region

South Korea. The program targets youth startup companies and pre-startup entrepreneurs under Korean youth startup criteria; no broader international eligibility is stated.

Target Sector

Agriculture & Food, Defense & Security, Education, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services, Government & Public Sector, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Media & Entertainment, Real Estate & Construction, Retail & Consumer, Semiconductors & Electronics, Sports & Fitness, Telecommunications, Transportation & Logistics, Travel & Hospitality, Other