South Korea Promotes Agri-Food Startup Innovation
Seoul, Wednesday, 13 August 2025.
South Korea’s government focuses on sustainability by initiating programs for startups to harness public data and innovate carbon management, highlighting its dedication to the agricultural sector.
Government Initiative and Startup Collaborations
On 13 August 2025, South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs unveiled several initiatives to encourage entrepreneurship in the agri-food sector. The primary goal is to support startups in using public data to devise innovative solutions for prevailing agricultural issues, including efficient carbon management from livestock waste. This initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to reinforcing sustainability in agriculture [1].
Global Acceleration Program
A pivotal milestone in this venture is the ‘2025 Global Acceleration Program’, which sees the involvement of 20 promising startups aiming to collectively penetrate international markets. This agreement, announced on 7 August 2025, underscores a determined public-private partnership to overcome regulatory challenges and fortify a strategic global presence. The participating entities are set to engage in joint promotional efforts and share regulatory coping strategies across diverse markets such as Singapore and Thailand [2].
Innovations in Agriculture Technology
Highlighting technological advancements, the ‘2025 Agri & Food Tech Startup Rising Expo’, held from 16 to 18 July 2025 in Seoul, showcased numerous innovations, such as self-driving tractors by Korean startup Gint. Their precision cultivation capabilities, evidenced by a remarkable accuracy of 1.1% deviation during tillage operations compared to the 9.5% industry average, illustrate the potential of advanced agricultural technology to enhance productivity [3]. Another formidable innovation came from BioRoom, which introduced biodegradable packaging made from mushroom mycelium, offering a sustainable alternative to plastic packaging [4].
Strengthening Local Ecosystems
In parallel, regional centers such as the Gangwon Creative Economy Innovation Center have formed partnerships to bolster local agri-food startup ecosystems. Through collaborations with private entities like AlphaLab, they aim to establish sector-specific funds and foster community-based entrepreneurship. These efforts reflect a comprehensive strategy to strengthen local agricultural ventures and embed innovative practices in the regional economic fabric [5].