Ministry of SMEs and Startups Promotes AI Adoption Among Small Businesses... Up to 40 Million Won in Commercialization Support

Recruitment for AI Win-Win Collaborative Training and Utilization Support Projects

Win-Win Collaborative Training Targets 5,000 Businesses Across 7 Programs

Utilization Support Project to Select 680 Final Recipients

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Small Enterprise and Market Service (SEMAS) announced on June 12 that they will begin accepting applications for the "Small Business AI Win-Win Collaborative Training" and the "Innovation Small Business AI Utilization Support Project" to strengthen the ability of small business owners to utilize artificial intelligence (AI).

Innovation Small Business AI Utilization Support Project Promotional Poster. Small Enterprise and Market Service

With the rapid spread of generative AI in recent times, the need for small business owners to leverage AI in various areas of management—such as the creation of promotional content, customer response, and sales and commercial district analysis—has increased significantly. In response, the government plans to offer hands-on training and commercialization support to help small business owners actively adopt AI.

First, the Small Business AI Win-Win Collaborative Training is a program established in cooperation with private companies to allow small business owners to directly experience AI and apply it to their businesses. This year, a total of approximately 5,000 companies will be targeted, with seven courses offered—including four one-day courses and three package courses.

The one-day courses consist of short-term training sessions, each lasting about four hours. These courses provide practical instruction with high applicability in the field, covering topics such as how to use generative AI, product image and detailed page creation, short-form content production, sales and commercial district data analysis, and customer response automation.

The package courses combine education and hands-on practice over a set period. Participants will directly carry out tasks such as branding and marketing planning, AI-based image and video production, crowdfunding planning, advertising campaign management, and performance analysis, thereby strengthening their sales and promotional capabilities.

Depending on the course, support from private companies will also be linked, including AI utilization accounts, advertising credits, consulting, and opportunities to participate in special promotional events. In addition, from July to November, real-time online lectures focusing on generative AI utilization, data-driven management, and advertising and marketing will be offered through the YouTube channel "GongsajangTV."

The Innovation Small Business AI Utilization Support Project, which supports the development of products and services using AI, will also be promoted. This year, 1,000 companies will first be selected to build AI utilization models, and after a presentation evaluation, approximately 680 companies will be chosen as the final recipients. Selected companies will receive customized support in partnership with specialized AI mentor companies, ranging from AI capability assessment and business advancement to marketing strategy development.

About 100 specialized companies in AI services, content, and marketing—including Wadiz, Mirid, and Remong—will participate as mentor companies. These mentors will provide guidance in various fields such as business management, marketing and design, work automation, and market expansion.

Finalists will receive up to 40 million won in commercialization funds to apply AI-based business models to their actual operations. The support funds will consist of 80% government subsidy and 20% self-financing, and may be used for AI system implementation, prototype development, and targeted marketing.

Applications for the Innovation Small Business AI Utilization Support Project can be submitted through "Small Business 24" until 4 p.m. on July 3. As for the AI Win-Win Collaborative Training, the recruitment and training schedule varies by course, so applicants must check separate announcements for details.

In Tae-yeon, Chairman of SEMAS, stated, "AI is now becoming a practical business tool for small business owners in a variety of areas, including promotion, customer management, product planning, and improving work efficiency. We will actively support the integration of AI into business sites to help increase sales and growth potential."

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