Small Business Owners Also Give a Thumbs Up... Recognizing Kakao's Win-Win Efforts

Utilizing Mutual Growth Fund... 300 Billion Won Over 5 Years
Attracting Regular Customers to Traditional Markets via Talk Channel
Practicing Mutual Growth Including Fair Pricing for Agricultural and Marine Products

Kakao announced on the 29th that it has been practicing sustainable management in harmony with local communities by utilizing a win-win fund of 300 billion KRW this year to strengthen the competitiveness of small business owners and support cultural creators.

In April last year, Kakao announced a sustainable growth plan in collaboration with society and established a total win-win fund of 300 billion KRW to be used over five years. It also revealed plans to utilize the fund for small business owners, digital content creators, performing arts creators, startups, and support for the digitally disadvantaged. Through this, Kakao has continuously practiced win-win initiatives across various fields throughout this year.

In August, Kakao signed a business agreement with the Federation of Small Businesses and decided to support a total of 30 billion KRW over five years until 2028 to enhance the competitiveness of small business owners. Last month, Kakao participated in the '2023 Korea Small Business Owners Conference' and set up a booth introducing the win-win campaign 'Kakao Project Dangol,' which helps the business growth of small business owners. Kakao was recognized for its active support and contributions to the digital transformation of small business owners and was selected as an excellent win-win company by the Federation of Small Businesses, receiving an award plaque on the 19th.

Kakao also supported traditional market merchants through the 'Uri Dongnae Dangol Market' program. Uri Dongnae Dangol Market is a program that helps traditional market merchants create and communicate with loyal customers using KakaoTalk channels. After digital transformation education for 11 markets in 2022, the program completed digital education for a total of 100 markets this year: 20 markets through the 'Store Talk Channel Support Project' in the first half and 80 markets through the 'Market Representative Talk Channel Support Project' in the second half.

As a result, 899 merchants participated this year, completing Talk Channel installation and basic Talk Channel education. A total of 999 KakaoTalk channels were created, securing 214,181 KakaoTalk channel friends. Kakao also received the Presidential Award for 'Contribution to Traditional Market Revitalization' at the National Excellent Market Expo hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, recognizing its contribution to revitalizing traditional markets.

Additionally, through Kakao Makers' 'Jegabatchi,' Kakao is helping agricultural, livestock, and fishery products and processed foods expected to have oversupply nationwide meet more users and be sold. As of October, the cumulative transaction amount exceeded 26.8 billion KRW, and approximately 4,730 tons of agricultural, livestock, and fishery products reached about 1.1 million consumers, receiving fair prices.

On KakaoTalk Shopping, the 'Win-Win Brand Discovery Project' was conducted. The goal is to discover brands pursuing various social values and actively inform consumers to realize the value of win-win. Online sales education and consulting were provided, and special exhibitions were held with full support for discount coupon costs.

Kakao Entertainment established the Kakao Creative Foundation in May last year to support various cultural creators. The foundation plans to contribute at least 10 billion KRW over the next five years, with an annual budget of about 2 billion KRW for foundation project operations. This year, following last year, the online creative academy project was expanded to provide free lectures helpful to webtoon and web novel creators.

Kakao Pay is carrying out various activities for community members who have difficulty accessing digital finance. In October, it raised a fund of 3 billion KRW to support education for three years. As the first project, Kakao Impact and the Senior Financial Education Council operated 'Digital Financial Education for All,' providing opportunities to experience various digital financial services useful in daily life.

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