Busan’s evolution as a major innovation hub is marked by strong public investment, infrastructure expansion, and global integration.
By 2025, Busan established the $1.05 billion Busan City Startup Fund, up 150% from approximately $404.1 million in 2021. Busan became the first local government to establish a KRW500 billion-scale fund two years in a row with the Future Growth Venture Fund and the Regional Innovation Scale-up Fund. Over the last 25 years, Busan has managed 70 funds totaling $1.05 billion, reflecting sustained capital formation.
The nation’s first dedicated startup-focused public institution, the Busan Startup Investment Agency (BSIA), launched in 2025, serving as a centralized control tower for startup policy and investment. Within its first year, BSIA cultivated 165 companies, generating $166.2 million in sales, and attracted 11 investment firms. City-led full-cycle startup support programs including Busan Startup Investment Agency and Busan Center for Creative Economy & Innovation, fostered 363 companies in 2025, achieving $321.7 million in sales, creating 1,917 jobs, and securing 80 investment deals totaling $72.2 million.
Global connectivity is expanding in parallel. The Fly Asia Startup Expo convened 19,235 participants from 40 countries, including 520 investors and 2,218 startups, with a Global Committee launch and pavilion, overseas company, and foreign entrepreneur support expansion. Google’s AI Startup School strengthens regional competitiveness through education and networking for early-stage startups.
Infrastructure development is equally robust. Busan is currently developing the Global Startup Hub Busan, the nation's only innovation startup hub located outside the capital. New startup infrastructure, including the Green Startup Town, Eco Delta Knowledge Industry Center, and Entrepreneur Dream, will be established in 2026, with a total of 11 facilities planned from 2021 to 2026.
Busan strengthens inclusivity with the Pre-Startup Package expanding opportunities for female entrepreneurs, and the Busan U Startup Package and Urban Youth Startup and Residential Complex cultivating talent in young entrepreneurs and university students. Its talent pipeline is supported by the Global Startup Immigration Center, industry-linked co-op programs, and the Digital Innovation Academy training 10,000 ICT professionals.
