The Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs (TIPA) said on the 30th that, starting on the 31st, they will recruit corporations to participate in the "2026 smart service support program for SMEs" to support AI and digital transformation for small and midsize corporations in the services sector.
The program supports SMEs in using AI and digital technologies to create new business models (BM) and build solutions needed to improve service quality in areas such as logistics and supply chain management, marketing, sales, and advertising.
Support types are divided into new and advancement. In the new institutional sector, 150 corporations will be selected to receive up to 50 million won, and in the advancement institutional sector, 25 corporations will be selected to receive up to 100 million won.
Corporations that have participated in the program so far have achieved improvements in work efficiency. One used truck transaction corporation developed a truck classification system and an automated listing registration service to build an online platform. As a result, sales rose 180%, and monthly users increased by 11.2%.
This call allows SMEs in the services sector and solution corporations to form a consortium and participate. Starting this year, the scope of eligible applicants has been expanded so that those seeking to improve functions or expand services of solutions built through other programs can also apply for advancement tasks.
For corporations wishing to participate in the program, expert pre-consulting is also provided, including maturity assessment, technology consulting, and business plan support. Applications can be submitted by email to implementing agencies such as Main-Biz, the Korea Smart Consulting Association, Innobiz, and the Women Enterprise Support Center.
Hwang Young-ho, director-general for technology innovation policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS), said, "We will accelerate the spread of AI transformation (AX) among SMEs in the services sector and strengthen policy support so that AI-based service innovation can lead to the creation of new business models and productivity gains in the services industry."
Corporations wishing to participate can apply online through the "Smart Factory Project Management System" from Apr. 20 to May 22. Detailed announcement information and application procedures can be found on the websites of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) and the Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs (TIPA).