Seoul City Uses AI Analysis to Help Small Businesses Get 'Sales-Ready'

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is establishing a support system for small business owners to develop online sales channels, utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) analysis. The core of the initiative is a tailored support system by growth stage, combining AI data analysis with dedicated project manager (PM) assistance. The program aims to help a total of 1,200 businesses develop 'sellable' products and strategies.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on May 6, the support consists of a "competency enhancement program" (300 businesses) for brand diagnosis and marketing, and "1:1 distribution MD consultations" (900 businesses). In particular, the competency enhancement program adjusts the scope of support according to the readiness and level of participating small business owners based on AI analysis, with a dedicated project manager assigned to each case.

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The competency enhancement program focuses on preparing businesses for actual sales rather than simply helping them get listed on platforms. Depending on the growth stage of the small business, support is provided through three courses-A, B, and C. Course A covers stage 1 (diagnosis and planning), Course B extends to stage 2 (marketing), and Course C supports up to stage 3 (sales channels).

For overseas platforms, support will be expanded to a total of five platforms, including Amazon, Shopee, eBay, Qoo10, and Alibaba. Through AI-based diagnostics, export-appropriate products will be selected, and support will be provided for both consignment sales and direct listings. This dual approach will help even small business owners with no prior export experience to enter overseas markets with ease.

The 1:1 distribution MD consultations will also be provided to 900 small businesses wishing to enter distribution channels. This year, an AI matching system has been introduced to increase the accuracy of these consultations by analyzing and connecting the sourcing requirements of MDs with the product data of small business owners.

Up to 550 businesses can participate in non-face-to-face consultations. Beyond one-time support, a deepened support system allows for up to three additional consultations, with the goal of achieving tangible results in platform entry. Offline consultation sessions will also be held in parallel. The city will jointly host the "Small Business Distribution Platform MD Consultation Session" in cooperation with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Small & Medium Business Distribution Center.

Through this project, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to select around 10 small businesses that have achieved outstanding results and provide further support, including a performance-sharing event, publication of exemplary case studies, follow-up support next year, and connections to city-operated funds. The aim is to go beyond short-term support and focus on scaling up small businesses with high growth potential.

Kim Kyungmi, Head of the Small Business Policy Division at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, said, "This project is significant not only because it goes beyond simple training or one-off support, but also because it offers a 'customized course system' tailored to the readiness of small businesses and provides integrated support for entering overseas platforms. Going forward, we will continue to strengthen support to help small businesses achieve tangible sales outcomes in online and global markets."

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