South Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) is expanding its “Challenge for All – Defense” open innovation program by seeking around 50 industry partners to support startups developing advanced technologies for the defense sector. The initiative is designed to connect emerging companies with established defense firms to accelerate the development and validation of innovative military solutions.
Selected participants will receive up to 100 million won ($67,500) in funding for proof-of-concept projects and prototype development. Depending on project outcomes and requirements, companies may also qualify for follow-on government R&D and commercialization support of up to 600 million won ($405,500).
The selection process includes document reviews, one-on-one consultations with military organizations and defense suppliers, and assessments of proposed collaboration plans before the final participants are chosen. Applications will remain open until early August.
The expanded program follows the successful first phase launched in March, during which 10 companies were selected, according to local reports. MSS said the initiative is intended to help startups commercialize and deploy their technologies in operational military environments while providing armed forces with faster access to innovative capabilities. The ministry also highlighted rising global defense expenditures, with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reporting record military spending of $2.718 trillion in 2024, reinforcing demand for defense innovation.
