Symposium Held to Explore Policy Directions for SMEs Amid Rapid Changes

Korea Institute for Small and Medium Venture Business Holds First KOSI Symposium 2025
Exploring Strategies for Innovative Growth and Startup Ecosystem Advancement

The Korea Institute for Small and Medium Venture Business announced on the 13th that it held the 1st KOSI Symposium under the theme "Startup Ventures as the Engine of Innovative Growth Leading Korea's Economic Leap." The symposium was jointly organized with the Korea Association of Venture Startups and the Korea Association of Small Business Studies to diagnose the practical challenges faced by small and medium venture companies in a rapidly changing economic environment and to seek future-oriented policy directions.

On the 13th, participants of the 1st KOSI Symposium, held under the theme "Startup Ventures as the Engine of Innovative Growth Leading Korea's Economic Leap," are taking a commemorative photo. Korea Institute for Small and Medium Venture Business

In the keynote speech, Cho Juhyun, President of the Korea Institute for Small and Medium Venture Business, gave a presentation on "The Dynamism of the Korean Economy and the Growth of SMEs." He pointed out that it is difficult to expect the recovery and growth of the Korean economy without solving three major challenges faced by small and medium venture companies. The three challenges are: the loss of competitiveness among Korean SMEs and the crisis of manufacturing decline; the widening technology gap between Korea and major countries, as well as the contraction of the venture ecosystem; and the structural crisis facing small business owners. Cho emphasized, "It is urgent to actively nurture technology-based high-growth startups, expand venture capital by diversifying sources of venture investment, and invigorate the venture ecosystem through the expansion of future growth-oriented R&D. At this moment, it is essential to design strategic policies based on selection and concentration, and to establish an ecosystem where the autonomy and capabilities of the private sector can be fully exercised."

Next, Lee Misoon, Research Fellow at the Korea Institute for Small and Medium Venture Business and the first presenter, gave a presentation on "Policy Directions and Tasks for the Advancement of the Startup Venture Ecosystem." She stated, "Even in the midst of a rapidly changing macro environment and crises, our startup venture ecosystem must evolve into a dynamic system that can stably accumulate and diffuse innovation." In the subsequent panel discussion, Lee Byunghun, Professor at Kwangwoon University, served as the moderator, and Kim Yongjin, Professor at Sogang University; Kim Youngtae, Professor at KAIST; and Seo Ribin, Professor at Soongsil University, participated as panelists, engaging in an in-depth discussion.

In the second session, Kim Myunghee, Professor at KAIST, presented measures for building a future-oriented governance structure that organically links government support systems and strengthens private sector cooperation for the efficient growth of the startup ecosystem. Professor Kim particularly stressed that integrated policy design based on inter-ministerial collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and a performance-oriented budget system should be the core strategies. In the following comprehensive discussion, Jin Byungchae, President of the Korea Association of Small Business Studies, served as the moderator, with Park Kyungmin, Professor at Yonsei University, and Bae Jonghoon, Professor at Seoul National University, joining as panelists.

In the final session, Kang Hyunggu, Professor at Hanyang University, gave a presentation on "Strategic Venture Investment Ecosystem for Fostering New Industries." The concluding panel discussion was moderated by Jeon Sungmin, Professor at Gachon University, with Choi Younggeun, Professor at Sangmyung University, and Kang Sinhyung, Professor at Chungnam National University, participating as discussants.

President Cho stated, "I hope this symposium will serve as a meaningful starting point for enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of the SME and venture business ecosystem."

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