80 Innovative Small Businesses Selected from 9,422 Applicants to Compete in Final Audition

2026 Innovative Small Business Final Audition to Be Held

The Small Enterprise and Market Service announced on September 8 that it will hold the "2026 Innovative Small Business Final Audition" at SVC Seoul in Mapo-gu, Seoul.

This final audition, which will be held from September 7 to 10, aims to select the Top 11 innovative small businesses, including local enterprises and strong small merchants with growth potential based on local resources and innovative ideas.

Since March, the Small Enterprise and Market Service has been recruiting innovative small businesses. Following a document evaluation and regional auditions, it selected 80 companies (20 local companies and 60 strong small businesses) to advance to the final audition.

At the 'Innovative Small Business Final Audition' held in Seoul by SVC, Director In Taeyeon is delivering the opening address. Photo by Sojinkong

This year's recruitment for innovative small businesses attracted a total of 9,422 applicants. Through the document evaluation, 1,000 companies were selected and received KRW 3 million each in growth support funds. In the regional auditions held in June, 534 companies were selected and were provided with up to KRW 60 million in commercialization funds. Among them, the final 80 companies advanced to the final audition.

The final 80 companies will each present their innovative ideas, business models, and potential for growth at this final audition. Depending on the audition results, they may receive up to an additional KRW 40 million in commercialization funds.

Along with this, the Small Enterprise and Market Service plans to continue step-by-step support for the 534 companies selected as innovative small businesses this year, providing mentoring, education, and networking for business model advancement, facilitating connections with private investors, and pioneering domestic and international sales channels so that innovative small businesses can grow into "K-Small Businesses."

This final audition will offer a variety of programs to allow the public to directly encounter and experience the products and brands of innovative small businesses. There will be a local market where visitors can meet local companies from all eight regions nationwide in one place, and a local insight talk show featuring popular influencers and business leaders.

Chairman Tae-Yeon In of the Small Enterprise and Market Service said, "This final audition goes beyond simply selecting outstanding companies; it is an opportunity to discover the potential of innovative small businesses that will grow into Korea's leading brands. The Small Enterprise and Market Service will also regard small businesses not just as recipients of support, but as agents of change and innovation, and will work together so that their challenges can lead to even greater growth."

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