D.CAMP Batch Surpasses 4,000 Applications... Average Selection Rate 74 to 1

Cumulative Applications for D.CAMP Batch 1–7 Reach 4,087 Investment Opportunities and Partner Connections Ranked as Top Strengths of the Program 887 Startups Reapplied to the Program Two or More Times

D.CAMP, a growth partner for startups, announced on June 4 that the cumulative number of applications for its “D.CAMP Batch” programs from the 1st to the 7th cohort has surpassed 4,000.

According to D.CAMP, the total number of applications from the 1st batch to the 7th batch, which was recruited in February this year, reached 4,087. Excluding duplicate applications, 2,707 startups applied. Out of these, a total of 55 companies were selected, overcoming an average competition rate of 74 to 1. The 7th batch attracted the highest number of applicants, with 706 startups applying.

Startups identified investment opportunities and business network connections as the most important factors in their growth journey. In a survey conducted among applicants for the 5th and 6th batches (1,000 respondents, multiple responses allowed), the top strengths of the batch program cited were: ▲ initial investment opportunities (78.3%) and ▲ connections to partners and business opportunities (73.0%). This was followed by ▲ support for follow-up investment connections (63.1%), ▲ customized mentoring by experts (57.5%), and ▲ office space and employee benefits (35.6%).

The persistent efforts of startups to reapply also stood out. Among all applicants, 887 companies—accounting for 33%—applied more than once, and of the 55 companies ultimately selected, 21 (38%) joined the batch after reapplying. In particular, “HydroExpand” and “IMeditech,” which were selected for the 6th batch, were finally accepted after applying three times.

Among the selected companies, those in deep tech fields such as materials, components, equipment, climate tech, and biotech accounted for the highest proportion, with 26 companies (47%). IT services and solutions comprised 21 companies (38%), while content and consumer goods companies made up eight (15%). Regionally, companies located outside the Seoul metropolitan area represented 18 (33%) of the selected startups.

Bomi Kim, business chief at D.CAMP, said, “Recently, startups are placing greater importance on actual business connections and market validation opportunities rather than simply attracting investment. D.CAMP will continue to discover startups with growth potential and strong execution capabilities, and strengthen our support for scaling up—from investment and business collaboration to follow-up growth.”

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