Ministry of SMEs and Startups Launches Full-Scale Public-Private Partnership M&A Platform

Providing M&A Information
Supporting Corporate Valuation Fees

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups supports the activation of M&A for small and venture businesses.

On the 26th, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced that it will officially launch the 'Kibo Public-Private Cooperation M&A Platform' and simultaneously implement the announcement of the '2025 M&A Activation Support Project.'

The M&A Activation Support Project has been operated by the Ministry since 2010 to promote M&A activities among small and venture businesses. It mainly consists of operating the ‘M&A Transaction Information Network’ that connects sellers and buyers, and supporting M&A corporate valuation costs for sellers pursuing M&A by subsidizing due diligence expenses.

First, this year, the ‘M&A Transaction Information Network’ will be reorganized and operated as the ‘M&A Information Network.’ To operate M&A brokerage tasks more efficiently, the brokerage function will be terminated, focusing instead on providing information. Accordingly, the M&A Information Network will focus on expanding accessibility by offering educational content related to M&A laws and contracts, tax and accounting, due diligence, corporate valuation, and information on domestic and international M&A trends. The reorganization is scheduled to be completed by the end of June.

Additionally, to alleviate the cost burden of M&A for small and venture businesses, part of the fees incurred for corporate valuation will be supported. Sellers wishing to pursue M&A must receive corporate valuation from advisory firms such as accounting firms during the transaction process, but field feedback indicated that due diligence costs are a burden for small and venture businesses.

The support eligibility includes small and venture businesses with sales under 40 billion KRW that have signed M&A advisory contracts with advisory institutions registered on the ‘M&A Information Network’ or M&A partners registered on the Kibo Public-Private Cooperation M&A Platform. Small businesses can receive support covering 40% of the valuation fees up to a maximum of 15 million KRW, while venture businesses can receive 60% of the fees up to a maximum of 20 million KRW.

Kim Bong-deok, Director of Venture Policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, stated, "M&A for small and venture businesses is a very important part of enhancing competitiveness and creating a virtuous cycle through the recovery of venture capital." He added, "We plan to firmly establish the Kibo Public-Private Cooperation M&A Platform in the field and continuously advance the M&A Activation Support Project to promote M&A among small and venture businesses."

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