Exchange Supports Startup Innovation Growth... Specialized Mentoring for KSM Companies Conducted

by Lee Myeonghwan

Published 17 Apr.2022 12:00(KST)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Myunghwan Lee] The Korea Exchange announced on the 17th that it will provide specialized mentoring services in areas where startups are vulnerable, such as finance, accounting, legal affairs, and intellectual property rights, to support the innovative growth of KSM (KRX Startup Market) companies.

KSM is a mobile-based platform established in November 2016 to support the growth of startups and enable stock trading before listing, with 135 companies currently registered.

This mentoring program offers management solutions through mentoring by specialized institutions to help KSM companies set their business direction. In particular, this year, the mentor pool will be expanded by adding new specialized institutions for SME mentoring, providing customized mentoring services tailored to each company.

The target companies are up to 20 hopeful companies selected through a demand survey. Depending on each company's needs, they can choose from '7 management areas,' '6 management areas,' or a 'comprehensive diagnosis,' and receive up to five mentoring sessions per company in the selected areas.

The 7 management areas consist of ▲Financial Investment Attraction ▲Business Model Innovation ▲Technology Innovation Commercialization ▲Marketing & Network ▲Global Market Development ▲Legal, Accounting & Intellectual Property Rights ▲Public Relations, Culture & Content. The 6 management areas include ▲Management Strategy ▲Management Control ▲Technology Commercialization ▲Factory Innovation ▲Marketing Strategy ▲Global Strategy.

The Exchange plans to complete the company demand survey and selection of support targets within this month and conduct individual mentoring services from May to October.

An Exchange official stated, "By enhancing KSM's role as a startup growth support platform, it is expected that the growth ladder system connecting 'KSM → KONEX → KOSDAQ' will be strengthened."