547 SMEs and Mid-Sized Companies Selected in 2nd Round of Innovation Premier 1000 to Receive Policy Finance Support

Selection of Innovative Growth Companies in AI, Mobility, and Eco-Friendly Sectors
Comprehensive Support Ranging from Preferential Loans and Guarantees to Investment and Consulting
496 Newly Selected Companies This Year, Excluding Overlaps, Totaling Support for 1,005 Firms

The Financial Services Commission announced on July 20 that it has selected 547 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-sized companies for the "2026 2nd Innovation Premier 1000" program.

The Innovation Premier 1000 is a program that provides intensive support to outstanding companies in various industries through collaboration between the financial sector and industry. It was launched last year by integrating support systems previously managed separately by different ministries, aiming to offer more effective financial and non-financial assistance to companies with innovation and growth potential.

In the first round of the program last year, 13 ministries selected 542 companies. This year, 14 ministries selected 547 companies, with 496 of them newly named as Innovation Premier companies, excluding duplicate and re-selection cases. As a result, the total number of Innovation Premier companies eligible for support from this year, excluding duplicates, has increased to 1,005 companies.

Once designated as an Innovation Premier company, a business is eligible for tailored financial and non-financial support from policy finance institutions for two years. Each ministry conducts comprehensive evaluations based on policy direction, innovation and growth potential before selection, while policy finance institutions provide company-specific financial support and consulting. Each ministry also issues an "Innovation Premier Certificate" and offers preferential benefits in their respective support programs.

All 547 companies selected this time operate in innovative growth industries, spanning a wide range of fields such as manufacturing and mobility, artificial intelligence, and environmental and smart agri-fisheries sectors. These companies will be able to receive related support until the end of 2027.

The selected companies can apply to the policy finance comprehensive support team both online and offline to receive tailored financial and non-financial services. They are eligible for preferential loan interest rates, expanded credit limits, priority and reduction in guarantee ratios and fees, as well as linkage to investment attraction platforms and management consulting. Certain ministries, including the Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Ministry of Climate and Environment, and Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, also offer additional preferential benefits in their own support programs.

The Financial Services Commission and related ministries plan to select and support about 1,000 companies as Innovation Premier companies every year. In the first half of next year, around 500 companies will be additionally selected through the third round of Innovation Premier application. The Financial Services Commission stated that it will adjust the quotas per ministry in 2027 based on the achievements and outcomes of the support programs.

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