[IT동아]넥스트챌린지, "2026 구글플레이 협업 '창구 프로그램' 참여 기업을 찾습니다"

[IT Donga]

The 2026 Global Corporate Collaboration Program (Changgu Program, 8th Cohort), jointly operated by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development (KISED), and Google Play, has officially begun its operations.Applications, which opened on February 27 via the K-Startup portal, will close at 4:00 PM on March 16.

The Changgu Program selects approximately 100 promising K-startups in the mobile app and gaming sector, providing up to KRW 200 million (~USD 150,000) in business development funding along with a Google Play–tailored growth package.

Since its launch in 2019, a total of 660 Korean startups have participated across seven cohorts, establishing the program as a leading gateway for scaling mobile startups in Korea.

Built on strong public-private collaboration, the program systematically supports startups in expanding into global markets.Among the Ministry’s broader Around X initiative, it has produced the largest number of successful alumni companies.

The 8th cohort targets:

Mobile app and game developers with less than 7 years of operation, or
AI-based mobile app and game developers with less than 10 years of operation

In line with the AI era, support for AI-driven innovation companies has been significantly expanded.Google Play plans to offer AI-specialized training and workshops, as well as expanded sessions on applying Google’s latest AI tools to business operations.

Selected startups will receive tiered business development funding of up to KRW 200 million to enhance their services.Additionally, they will benefit from a comprehensive growth package, including:

Google Cloud credits
Expert office hours
Featured placements on the Google Play Store
Global immersion programs

Top-performing startups will also gain access to the “Immersion Trip”, offering on-site market insights and opportunities to network with investors and institutions.

Google Play’s support further includes:

Growth seminars on monetization and marketing strategies
1:1 in-depth consulting on global market entry and technology enhancement
The “Changgu Alumni Day”, connecting startups with VCs and publishers
VC office hours for investment consultations

The program is additionally supported by Next Challenge Foundation (CEO Kim Young-rok), the official operator of the Changgu Program.

To strengthen startups’ global competitiveness, Next Challenge provides:

Expert-led 1:1 consulting
Overseas PoC (Proof of Concept) project opportunities
Customized training programs
Global networking support

As a key operator of the Global Corporate Collaboration Program, Next Challenge has led partnerships not only with Google Play but also with global corporations such as Intel, Thales, L’Oréal, and Astellas.

Furthermore, Next Challenge has been reappointed as the program operator for 2026–2028, having already managed KRW 110 billion (~USD 82 million) in cumulative

support over seven years and fostered 1,350 startups.

These startups have achieved:

KRW 1.573 trillion (~USD 1.2 billion) in cumulative revenue
KRW 59.3 billion (~USD 44 million) in investments raised
160 cases of global expansion

Next Challenge currently operates across 10 countries with 43 global networks, expanding its reach to ASEAN markets (including Vietnam and Singapore) as well as Japan.

CEO Kim Young-rok stated:"The Changgu Program (8th Cohort) serves as a powerful launchpad for K-startups to take flight into global markets. This year, in particular, we will operate specialized global expansion programs with hubs in Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore. Our focus will go beyond simple market entry, aiming to deliver tangible outcomes such as revenue generation and investment attraction."

IT동아 이문규 기자 (munch@itdonga.com)

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