Gwangju City Invites Nominations for '2025 Outstanding Small and Medium Businessperson'

Applications Accepted Until the 19th, Up to Five to Be Selected
Evaluation Based on Management Performance, Job Creation, and Local Contribution

On September 2, the Gwangju City Government announced that it is accepting nominations for the '2025 Gwangju Outstanding Small and Medium Businessperson' in order to discover exemplary business leaders driving the local economy.

Eligible candidates are representatives of small and medium-sized manufacturing companies that have maintained their headquarters and factories (main offices) in Gwangju for at least three years as of the announcement date and employ at least 10 full-time workers.

The evaluation will comprehensively consider factors such as ▲company history ▲financial soundness ▲management performance ▲job creation ▲technology development ▲contribution to the local economy ▲ESG management readiness, among others. Qualitative factors such as employee welfare enhancement and social contribution activities will also be reviewed.

Up to five individuals will be selected through a rigorous process including document screening, on-site inspections, and a thorough review by the judging committee. The awards ceremony is scheduled for December. Selected companies will receive various benefits for two years after designation, including ▲an increased limit on management stabilization funds (from 300 million to 500 million won) ▲an additional 1 percentage point in interest rate support ▲up to an additional 10% in loans for structural advancement and export promotion funds ▲a reduction in credit guarantee fees (from 1.2% to 1.0%) ▲and a three-year deferment of local tax audits.

Applications can be submitted in person or by mail to the Gwangju City Startup Promotion Division by the 19th. Detailed information and application forms are available for download in the City News and Notices section of the Gwangju City website.

Hong Nasoon, head of the Startup Promotion Division, stated, "This system has been established to widely recognize small and medium businesspeople who are leading the local economy through innovation and challenge, and to actively support their growth and development," adding, "We look forward to the interest and participation of many small and medium business leaders."

Meanwhile, since 2012, the city has selected outstanding small and medium businesspeople, with a total of 58 individuals honored as of last year.

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