Ministry of SMEs and Startups Recruits SMEs for "2026 Smart Service Support Project"

Up to 50 Million Won for 150 Companies in the New Category

Up to 100 Million Won for 25 Companies in the Advancement Category

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on March 30 that it is recruiting companies to participate in the "2026 Smart Service Support Project for SMEs," which aims to support artificial intelligence and digital transformation in service sector small and medium-sized enterprises, together with the Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs (TIPA).

This project helps SMEs utilize artificial intelligence and digital technologies to create new business models (BMs) and build solutions to improve service quality in areas such as logistics and supply chain management, marketing, sales, and advertising.

The support is divided into two categories: "new" and "advancement." In the new category, up to 50 million won will be provided to 150 selected companies, while in the advancement category, up to 100 million won will be provided to 25 selected companies.

This call allows service sector SMEs and solution providers to form a consortium and participate. Starting this year, the scope of support has been expanded to allow advancement projects for companies seeking to improve functions or expand services of solutions already built through other projects.

In addition, expert pre-consulting services such as capability assessment, technical consulting, and business plan reviews will be provided to companies wishing to participate. Companies can submit an application for consulting support via email to the implementing organization of their choice.

Companies that have participated in the past have reported significant improvements in work efficiency, such as time savings and cost reduction. In particular, Company A, which trades used freight trucks, developed an automated truck classification and listing registration service and established a dedicated online platform for used truck transactions. As a result, it achieved a 180% increase in sales and an 11.2% increase in monthly users, among other visible outcomes.

Companies wishing to participate can apply through the Smart Factory Project Management System website from April 20 to May 22. Detailed announcements and application procedures are available on the websites of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and TIPA.

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