2026 U.S. Healthcare Stakeholder Insights Program

The Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) and Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), in collaboration with MATTER, the Chicago-based global healthcare incubator, are proud to present the seventh annual program aimed at preparing a cohort of Korean healthcare companies for U.S. market success.

The 2026 U.S. Healthcare Stakeholder Insights Program will connect small-medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups with established partners to validate clinical, technical and business elements of their product and company. These short-term insights projects will span approximately 12 weeks.

The insights project will evaluate a specific hypothesis to drive critical decisions, market readiness and potential next steps to advance their business in the U.S. market. Intended to be discrete, non-pilot and non-internal review board (IRB) engagements, these efforts seek to quickly answer questions that help businesses move forward.

The insights project may focus on, but is not limited to, technical, cost or usability aspects. Following is a non-exhaustive example of the types of work that could be conducted as part of the program’s scope: clinician surveys, reimbursement landscape assessment, clinician feedback, product demonstrations, clinical workflow assessment and focus groups. Participants would focus on one or two key questions as part of this engagement.

MATTER has an established group of partners that can be leveraged to conduct specific insights projects. MATTER will take the solution to this network to find a match. This approach was successfully demonstrated during the 2025 U.S. Market Validation Study Program, where prestigious health stakeholders served as strategic partners. The institutions engaged directly with participants to deliver actionable insights and real-world feedback.

To ensure strategic alignment between a participant’s solution and the health stakeholders, we follow a curated selection process:

• Interviews: Initial interviews are conducted with a select subset of applicants to screen for solution fit, program alignment and partner’s focus areas.
• The Lookbook: Based on the interview results, only the most qualified companies are selected to be featured in a “Lookbook,” which highlights each company, its product’s value proposition and insights project proposal.
• Strategic Matching: The Lookbook is presented to our partner network for a final review. From this exclusive group, our partners select the final six companies whose solutions best align with their specific priorities to join the program.

In the ensuing 12-week program, MATTER will support six Korean SMEs and startups advance their solution and roadmap in the U.S. by connecting them with industry partners.

Program participants will:

• Engage in at least six virtual strategic deep-dive meetings with a healthcare stakeholder to obtain targeted, actionable feedback for business and product refinement.
• Receive access to programming, three exclusive workshops, resources and mentorship to advance their product in the U.S. healthcare ecosystem
• Participate in an insights project to strengthen their business base
• Receive a one-year membership to MATTER
• Engage with other cutting-edge SMEs and startups
• Gain exposure to the MATTER community
• Pitch to potential partners, investors and industry influencers at a showcase event

The program is open to Korean bio and digital healthcare SMEs and startups interested in growing a new venture in the U.S. Click here (KOSME Portal or KHIDI Portal) to complete an application by April 22, 2026. Any questions regarding the application can be directed to info@gbc-chicago.org and molliepark@gbc-chicago.org.

April 9: Applications open
April 22: Applications close
April 29: First round - document screening results announced
May 5-6: Second round - virtual interviews
May 11: Shortlist notification - second round results for the lookbook
August 17: Third round - selection of program finalists (via U.S. healthcare stakeholder matchmaking) / finalist notification
August 24-November 13: U.S. Healthcare Stakeholder Insights Program

Dates are subject to change.

Established in 1979 under the mandate of the “Small & Medium Enterprises Promotion Act of 1978” by the South Korean Congress, KOSME has been dedicated to the advancement of South Korea’s vibrant SME and startup ecosystem. Today, we leverage an $8.1 billion annual budget and a presence in 28 global markets to empower over 30,000 companies annually. By bridging the gap between local innovation and international opportunity, KOSME provides comprehensive solutions and expertise required for Korean enterprises to scale successfully on the world stage. For more information, visit KOSME.

KHIDI is a public institution established in 1999 to enhance the global competitiveness of the biohealth industry and contribute to public health. Grounded in professionalism, a spirit of challenge, communication, and trust, KHIDI accelerates biohealth growth and advances healthcare services through integrated, expert support. KHIDI also formulates policies to nurture emerging biohealth industries and advances R&D in cutting-edge technologies across biotechnology and digital health. We actively support innovation and global expansion in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, digital health, foreign patient services, and overseas deployment of Korean healthcare solutions. For more information, visit KHIDI.

MATTER, the premier healthcare incubator and innovation hub, includes more than 1,000 current and alumni startups from around the world, working together with dozens of hospitals and health systems, universities and industry-leading companies to build the future of healthcare. Together, the MATTER community is accelerating innovation, advancing care and improving lives. For more information, visit matter.health and follow @MATTERhealth.