The Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) said on the 2nd that, under the "2026 loan plan for policy funds for small and midsize enterprises," they will begin accepting applications for policy funds on the 5th.
The key directions for operating policy funds for small and midsize enterprises in 2026 are: ▲ improving the policy fund support system to be demand-centered ▲ supporting innovative growth for SME growth and strengthening the financial safety net ▲ enhancing the credibility of policy fund soundness and establishing a stable operating system.
The total scale of policy fund support is 4.43 trillion won, with a focus on strengthening support for innovative growth in AI, bio, manufacturing, aerospace and defense, and cultural content, and more than 40% of funds will be supplied as facility funds to improve on-site operations and boost manufacturing competitiveness.
To accelerate AI adoption and digital transformation by small and midsize enterprises, an "AX (AI transition) sprint preferred track" has also been created. Eligible recipients include corporations selected for the program supporting rapid commercialization of AI application products or corporations operating in AI, and benefits include a 0.1 percentage point interest rate reduction, preferential loan limits, and application of a fast track.
Meanwhile, the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) introduced a "policy fund navigation" system to improve user procedures in a demand-friendly way so that corporations can receive tailored policy fund recommendations without going through staff consultations. In addition, to support the growth of technology-promising corporations and small and midsize enterprises struggling to raise private capital, corporations listed under the technology exception within three years of listing and corporations with credit ratings up to BB will be exceptionally allowed to receive policy fund support.
Kang Seok-jin, chair of the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME), said, "Policy funds must become the first steppingstone that can drive the real growth of small and midsize enterprises," adding, "In particular, we will spare no support for the stable and sustainable growth of small and midsize enterprises leading AI and digital transformation."