kbr-research-notes
565,640 Startups: A Map of Declining and Growing Sectors
In the first half of 2026, newly founded startups totaled 565,640, a 1.5% decrease compared to the same period last year, marking a downward trend for the sixth consecutive year. Wholesale and retail startups led the overall decline, dropping by 10.7% (22,186 entities) to 185,409. Conversely, tech-based startups rose by 14.2% to 123,418, with information and communications startups surging by 59.4%. Although overall startup creation among individuals aged 39 and under decreased, tech-based and information and communications startups among youth saw sharp increases. The core takeaway is an industrial restructuring shifting from wholesale and retail toward knowledge-based sectors such as information and communications and professional services, rather than a simple overall drop in startups.
In the first half of 2026, newly founded startups totaled 565,640, a 1.5% decrease compared to the same period last year, marking a downward trend for the sixth consecutive year. Wholesale and retail startups led the overall decline, dropping by 10.7% (22,186 entities) to 185,409. Conversely, tech-based startups rose by 14.2% to 123,418, with information and communications startups surging by 59.4%. Although overall startup creation among individuals aged 39 and under decreased, tech-based and information and communications startups among youth saw sharp increases. The core takeaway is an industrial restructuring shifting from wholesale and retail toward knowledge-based sectors such as information and communications and professional services, rather than a simple overall drop in startups.
565,640 Startups: A Map of Declining and Growing Sectors Newly established startup companies in South Korea reached 565,640 in the first half of 2026.…
KBR Access
KBR Analysis content is available to Premium members only
This content is available exclusively to Premium members. Premium comes as a 1-month pass (₩34,900, one-time payment, no auto-renewal) or a monthly subscription (₩29,900/month) — both available via Toss Payments. Premium unlocks core content including ESG, KBR Articles, and KBR Analysis.
FREE ACCOUNT · NO CARD REQUIRED
Create a free KBR account
Creating a KBR account is free and takes about a minute — no card required. You'll come straight back to this page once you're done.
KBR NEWSLETTER
Sign up for free and get the KBR Newsletter!
Sign up and opt in to the newsletter to receive KBR's curated business and economic insights by email.
KBR BUSINESS SOLUTION
Assess your startup’s competitiveness and growth potential.
KBR Startup Evaluation provides a structured review of business viability and growth readiness.
View Startup Evaluation→RELATED CONTENT
Related Content
Expanding High-Speed Rail Seats by 116,000 Weekly: How Much Will It Ease KTX Booking Struggles?
PremiumFacility Investment Rose 7.5% While Consumption Dropped 2.4%: The Temperature Gap in Recovery Shown by July Industrial Indicators
PremiumU.S. Productivity Rose, But Labor Costs Also Increased: The Cost Structure Revealed by Q2 BLS Indicators
PremiumWhy Is Financing Still Difficult Even Though SME Loans Have Increased? Interest Rates, Collateral, and Investment Attraction Through OECD Financial Indicators
PremiumAnalyzing External Audit Corporations' Operating Profit Margin of 16.9%: The Gap Between Manufacturing and Non-Manufacturing
