Up to 60 Million KRW Support for ICT Service Solution Companies... Significant Business Impact

'Small and Medium Business Smart Service Support Project'
Breakthrough for Limitations Such as Workforce Shortage in Women-Owned Businesses
Last Year, 33 Companies Achieved Sales and Employment Growth Effects

Paywork's Non-Face-to-Face Transaction Management Solution Built Through the 'SME Smart Service Support Project'

#Son Ji-in, CEO of Paywork, participated last year in the 'Small and Medium Enterprise Smart Service Support Project' by the Women’s Enterprise Comprehensive Support Center and developed a solution that enables freelancers and small business owners to manage non-face-to-face transactions and settlement operations. CEO Son stated, "We focused on minimizing disputes between workers and clients and creating a work ecosystem where people can enjoy their jobs." As a result, Paywork surpassed 2,000 members and 350 daily users as of last month, and its employment creation effect increased more than fourfold. Currently, preparations for new investment attraction and advancement are in full swing.

The Small and Medium Enterprise Smart Service Support Project by the Women’s Enterprise Comprehensive Support Center (Chairman Lee Jeong-han) is achieving results by contributing to the digital and non-face-to-face service transformation of women-owned businesses. This project, led by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, supports service innovation in small and medium enterprises using advanced ICT such as big data and artificial intelligence (AI). Selected companies can receive support covering up to 50% of the solution development and construction costs, with a maximum of 60 million KRW. Additionally, among companies that built smart service solutions in 2020 and last year, outstanding companies are selected to receive up to 100 million KRW this year.

As of 2019, women-owned businesses accounted for 40.2% (approximately 2.77 million) of all companies in Korea, marking an all-time high, with their share and role increasing. The number of startups led by female CEOs in technology-based industries is also rapidly growing. From 2017 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of female-founded startups in technology-based sectors was 7.6%, more than twice that of males (3.0%). A center official stated, "As new business models combining ICT with service industries such as childcare and distribution emerge, there is a growing atmosphere for women-owned businesses to expand into various fields using digital technology and AI."

However, women-owned businesses still face difficulties due to limitations in response capabilities such as lack of funds and professional personnel. In this context, the Small and Medium Enterprise Smart Service Support Project is seen as a breakthrough for digital smart transformation. Last year, a total of 33 women-owned businesses participated in the smart service support project through the center. Many companies achieved visible results such as sales growth and job creation by adopting ICT solutions.

DWI utilized this project to develop a facility management solution based on Internet of Things (IoT) sensor data, successfully standardizing and simplifying work processes. Cho Hee-seon, CEO of DWI, said, "Through AI-based technological advancement, we are preparing to build a facility preventive inspection system and a nationwide facility management solution."

The center plans to expand its experts and facilitate communication with participating companies. It also intends to enhance the utilization of women-owned business solutions developed and built last year, advance services, and strengthen post-management such as linking with specialized commercialization institutions. Lee Jeong-han, chairman of the center, said, "Although the proportion of women-owned businesses is continuously increasing due to the recent rise in female entrepreneurship and the transition to a digital and non-face-to-face economy is accelerating, the adoption of ICT technology by women-owned businesses remains low. Through this project, we will support women-owned businesses in securing competitiveness through digitalization."

Currently, the center is recruiting participants for the Small and Medium Enterprise Smart Service Support Project. Companies wishing to participate can form a consortium with solution providers and apply through the Small and Medium Enterprise Smart Service Support Project management system by the 13th of next month. Women-owned businesses wishing to receive expert consulting on introduced technologies and business plans in advance can apply to the center by the end of this month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.