If continued growth and the affluence of the welfare state are to be sustained, we need to show strength within future growth areas. As one of the areas, design is a central element in the cultural and creative economy, which is one of the major economic growth areas in South Korea. And design startup business, which is typically a newly emerged entrepreneurial venture and business model, is fast-growing to meet a market need by developing an innovative product, process or service in design industry and creative economy. In this background, this research explores to suggest the findings as critical factors to design startup innovation and development are discussed to improve the design firms and designers in new startup business environment.