The Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) will set up a Korean blockchain pavilion at the “Singapore FinTech Festival 2026,” to be held in Singapore in November, and is once again recruiting domestic blockchain companies to join it in expanding into the local market. KISA announced a renewed call for applications on September 28 and stated that applications will be accepted until 2:00 p.m. on October 8.
Eligible applicants are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or startups with less than 10 years of business experience that possess blockchain technology and the capability to expand overseas. Examples cited include blockchain-based wallets, payment systems, and tokenized securities. The support period will last approximately three months, from October through December. Up to six companies will be selected; however, no companies may be selected if there are no eligible applicants.
The Singapore FinTech Festival, now in its 11th year, is the world’s largest fintech event. Last year, it attracted approximately 70,000 participants from over 140 countries, featuring more than 900 speakers and over 600 exhibition booths. This year’s event will be held at Singapore Expo from November 18 to 20. Under the theme “The Rewiring: New Risks, New Rules, New Growth,” and will cover topics such as the responsible adoption of AI, tokenized financial infrastructure (including stablecoins and central bank digital currencies, or CBDCs), financial inclusion, and cybersecurity.
Selected companies will receive a booth of approximately 7 square meters per company within the Korea Blockchain Pavilion and will be provided with support for basic booth setup and exhibition rental fees. Prior to departure, they will undergo a company assessment, receive consulting on refining their investor relations (IR) materials, participate in pitching training, and attend training on entering the Asian market, including local investment trends and legal and regulatory matters. While in Asia, they will participate in an IR Demo Day and investor networking events. Travel expenses, including airfare and lodging, will be covered for one representative per company up to a limit of approximately 2.5 million won; however, shipping costs for exhibition items will not be covered. The representative must be a C-level executive or higher with decision-making authority and must be able to pitch and communicate in English.
Evaluation will be conducted through a document review by external experts. The scoring is out of 100 points, allocated as follows: 30 points for local market entry capabilities, 30 points for business competitiveness and appeal, 15 points for business planning and execution capabilities, 15 points for the robustness of the business model, and 10 points for the suitability of the participating personnel. In the event of a tie, priority will be given in the order of “capacity to enter the local market” and “business competitiveness.” The selection evaluation, based on the application form and IR materials, will be conducted by October 13, and results will be individually notified starting October 14. Selected companies must cooperate with performance management for three years starting the year following the project’s completion.
Applications must be submitted via email and must include the application form, business plan, certificate of eligibility, pledge statement, IR materials, business registration certificate, list of employees enrolled in the four major social insurance programs, financial statements for the last three years, and certificates of full payment of national and local taxes. Companies with outstanding debts or tax arrears, those that are suspended or defunct, those listed on the wage arrears registry, or those that received an “adverse” or “disclaimer of opinion” audit report in their most recent financial statements are ineligible to apply. Companies participating in the Singapore FinTech Festival support program offered by another organization may not submit a duplicate application.
