[Jeon Hahyeong's Technology Startup Targeting] 〈403〉 [AC President's Weekly 113] Startups at the Core of National Growth Strategy in the AI and Deep Tech Era

South Korea's industrial policy is evolving. While large corporations once dominated national growth strategies, technology startups and ecosystems are now central to future growth. 2026 is seen as the starting year for institutionalization of these changes. The government expanded the Matfud Fund to 2 trillion won and increased early-stage investment. Initiatives like the Accelerator account expansion, Rookie League, and regional Matfud Funds support the startup ecosystem. The 'Everyone's Startup' project aims to democratize entrepreneurship. Globally, the US, China, and EU are advancing national strategies in AI, semiconductors, and deep tech. The competition is shifting from corporate rivalry to innovation ecosystem rivalry, with AI, semiconductors, robotics, defense tech, biotech, and climate tech as key sectors.