The Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs (TIPA) said on the 18th that they selected 175 companies as recipients of support under the "2026 smart services program for SMEs," which helps small and midsize enterprises adopt artificial intelligence (AI) and carry out digital transformation.
The program supports SMEs in the service sector in building business models using AI and digital technologies and in strengthening service competitiveness in areas such as logistics and supply chain management and marketing.
The support categories are divided into new solution development and upgrading of existing services. Each of the 150 companies selected for new development will receive 50 million won, and up to 100 million won will be provided to 25 companies in the upgrading category.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) recruited participating companies for two months. A total of 545 companies applied, producing a competition rate of about 3 to 1. After document and on-site evaluations, the ministry finalized the recipients by reviewing the need for support, the feasibility of implementation plans, the likelihood of building the solution, and the expected impact.
By industry, distribution accounted for 50 companies, or 29% of the total, the largest share. Information and communications followed with 39 companies (22%), and science and technology services with 34 companies (19%). Among the selected corporations, 83 are startups (47%), and 92 are growth-stage corporations with more than seven years in business (53%). The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) plans to support these corporations in innovating their AI- and data-based business models.
The selected corporations will build smart service solutions over about six months after signing agreements with the Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs (TIPA). The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) plans to support and manage the entire process to carry out the program and generate results.
Hwang Young-ho, director general for technology innovation policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS), said, "The 'SME smart services support program' will offer service-sector SMEs an opportunity to add AI to create new business models and boost productivity and competitiveness," adding, "We will support innovation at SMEs based on AI and digital technologies."