“Next Challenge Rises as a Global Top Accelerator — Partnering with 5 Big Tech Companies!”

SMEs Ministry’s ‘Global Corporate Collaboration Program (Around X)’ — Accelerating Practical Global Expansion

Next Challenge, Korea’s leading global accelerator (led by CEO Kim Young-rok), is launching full-scale support for Korean startups' international expansion through the Global Corporate Collaboration Program, organized by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and operated by the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development (KISED).

As part of this initiative, Next Challenge will oversee collaboration tracks with five global top-tier partners:Google Play, Intel, L'Oréal, Thales, and Astellas.

The program will offer an open innovation-based framework designed to generate tangible outcomes, supporting startups through technology validation, investment attraction, and market entry.

Driving Real Market Outcomes Through ASEAN-Based Operations

Leveraging its years of experience with its Vietnam-based subsidiary, ASEAN Labs,Next Challenge actively connects startups to local governments, universities, and industry partners in key ASEAN markets such as Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore.

Through an established scaling model—market validation → partner connection → global market expansion—Next Challenge has already accumulated a strong track record of enabling Korean startups to achieve practical global success.

With the newly rebranded Global Corporate Collaboration Program (Around X), 2025 is expected to mark another year of significant growth and impact for participating startups.

Tailored Collaboration Tracks With Five Global Partners

Each global partner in this year’s program will operate a customized track focused on specific innovation areas:

• Google Play: 100 startups in mobile services and gaming

• Intel: 10 startups in AI-based technologies

• Thales: 10 startups in aerospace, cybersecurity, and defense technologies

• L'Oréal: 5 startups in Beauty Tech and Digital Beauty

• Astellas: 2 startups in biotech, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals

Each track will offer startups access to collaborative projects with global experts, technical feedback, market pivoting support, and infrastructure resources,with the goal of refining and globalizing their business models.

Next Challenge: "Proving Global Expansion Through Real Results"

Through this program, Next Challenge is focused not on "preparing to go global" but on delivering "execution-driven acceleration centered on market outcomes."

Selected startups will receive up to KRW 200 million (~USD 150,000) in business development funding,along with professional mentoring, technical consulting, local networking opportunities, and investment connections through their global partners.

Next Challenge aims to use this momentum to further accelerate the global expansion of Korean startups and contribute to the long-term goal of establishing an ASEAN startup hub and elevating the K-Startup brand worldwide.