The Ministry of SMEs and Startups said it will implement the "2026 women-owned business promotion program integrated notice" on the 4th to boost women's entrepreneurship and strengthen the competitiveness of women-owned corporations.
This year's women-owned business promotion program consists of four areas and 11 detailed projects, including women's entrepreneurship, market access for women-owned corporations, workforce support, and fostering the FemTech industry that leverages advanced technologies such as AI and biotech to improve women's health and quality of life. The total support amounts to 11.74 billion won.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) will pursue a new program this year to identify and support promising FemTech corporations. Corporations selected for the program will receive up to 80 million won in commercialization funds, along with growth support programs such as follow-on investment linkages and participation in domestic and overseas exhibitions.
Through 18 women's startup incubator centers nationwide, it will provide startup space to women founders and offer management consulting. Through the "women's startup competition," it will identify promising women-owned corporations and provide initial commercialization funds to prize winners. For corporations seeking to expand globally, it will expand the "women's startup accelerating" program, which supports practical training and promotion for target export countries.
To strengthen market development capabilities for women-owned corporations, it will also support tailored MD consultation sessions, home shopping, and production of online promotional videos. In addition, it will continue the policy requiring public institutions to purchase products from women-owned corporations to help them enter the public procurement market. Through the "tailored talent matching platform for women-owned corporations," it will connect women-owned corporations with professionals to help ease their labor shortages.
Kim Dae-hee, director general for SME strategy and planning at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS), said, "In the context of low birth rates and an aging population, the role of women-owned corporations is crucial for a new leap forward in our economy," adding, "We will continue to advance policies to foster women-owned corporations so they can establish themselves as key growth actors in our economy."