ASCEND Program Cohort 2026

About

A 15-week accelerator program designed for startups established for seven years or less, offering financial investment, expert mentorship, and support for global expansion. Participants will also gain access to the TIPS program and have the opportunity to participate in a local program in the United States, along with PR support for their pitching efforts.

Benefits

• 💰Financial Investment
  Investment of 100 to 200 million won for outstanding teams
• 🎓Mentorship
  One-on-one mentoring from experts
• 🌐Global Expansion Support
  Support for global expansion and media PR
• 🔗TIPS Program Connection
  Connection to the TIPS program with pre-assessment and training
• 🇺🇸 U.S. Program Participation
  Opportunity to participate in a local program in the United States
• 📢PR Support
  PR support including articles and video content for pitching

Eligibility Criteria

• Startups must be established for seven years or less
• Open to startups from any field
• Must pass document screening and in-person evaluation

Participation Commitments

• Program duration of 15 weeks from August to November 2026
• In-person evaluation required
• Participation in Demo Day for follow-up investment opportunities

Target Region

South Korea

Target Sector

All sectors