The innovation startup accelerator "New Paradigm Investment" said on the 12th that it is openly recruiting corporations to join the "2026 Baby Unicorn Growth Program." The application period runs from the 12th to Apr. 30.
The "Baby Unicorn Growth Program" is New Paradigm's flagship accelerating program for startups within 4 years and 6 months of founding that have technological strength and growth potential. It offers tailored accelerating for rapid growth, including funding of up to more than 5 billion won per team, TIPS recommendations, networking with senior corporations, and strategy consulting.
Selected startups can receive a total of 5 billion won in funding, including up to 500 million won in initial investment, up to 1 billion won in follow-on investment by growth stage, and more than 2 billion won in co-investment. Government programs are also linked for support. Through recommendations for TIPS by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, up to 800 million won is available, and for Deep Tech TIPS, up to 1.5 billion won in research and development funding can be linked.
Along with this, tailored hands-on support for substantive growth is provided, including regular networking with senior corporations, collaboration among portfolio corporations, and market-entry strategy consulting.
Eligible applicants are startups within 4 years and 6 months of founding that have completed proof of concept (PoC) and possess business metrics. Recruitment fields include innovation technology areas across the fourth industrial revolution, such as deep tech, ICT, silver tech, sports tech, and specialized commerce.
Co-CEO Park Je-hyun of New Paradigm Investment said, "The Baby Unicorn Growth Program is a proven program that discovers startups with outstanding potential every year and has provided turning points for growth," adding, "This year as well, we will actively support innovative corporations with competitiveness not only in Korea but also in global markets so they can leap forward."