UNIST, together with KAIST, GIST, and DGIST, is recruiting participants for GRAVITY 2026 , a national student startup league for research-driven deep-tech ventures.

The program will back student founders working in fields, such as AI, biotechnology, aerospace, and robotics. A total of 140 teams will be selected, with the top 10 teams gaining access to overseas acceleration programs linked to global venture capital firms and prize funding of up to KRW 200 million. 

GRAVITY 2026 is designed for teams with technology that can move beyond the lab. Selected teams with receive startup funding, expert mentoring, and support for business development, investment readiness, and overseas expansion. Separate tracks will be offered for undergraduate and graduate student teams. 

The league will assess each team's technology, market fit, business model, and global growth potential. Its focus is clear that is to help research-based ideas become investable companies.

Applications are open to prospective startup teams and early-stage startups founded within the past five years. Each team must include at least one undergraduate student, graduate student, or alumni from UNIST, KAIST, GIST, or DGIST. Applications will be accepted from May 21 to June 10 through the official GRAVITY 2026 website ( gravity2026.io ), or through each institution's online application channel.

“GRAVITY 2026 is designed to help bold, science-based ideas become global deep-tech companies,” said UNIST President Chong Rae Park. “Through UNIST's planned U Startup Institute (name tentative), we aim to connect students, researchers, companies, and investors, and build a stronger startup pipeline rooted in the region's industrial strengths.”