IBK Industrial Bank, Launches Customized Growth Program for Small Business Owners' Independence

Establishing a Support System for Capacity Building Including Market Development and Pitching Competitions

IBK Industrial Bank announced on the 30th that it will implement the 'Hope Sharing Plus' program in collaboration with the Small and Medium Business Hope Foundation to establish a practical support system for revitalizing the management of small business owners and enabling the self-reliance of prospective small business owners.

Hope Sharing Plus is a program that discovers small business owners with creative and innovative ideas and provides education and follow-up growth support such as artificial intelligence (AI) and social network service (SNS) marketing promotion. After document evaluation and presentation evaluation, 20 companies with excellent capabilities will be given opportunities for advanced competency training and participation in pitching competitions, and 3 companies will be selected for additional support such as commercialization support funds and connection to investors.

In particular, more detailed educational opportunities will be prepared for socially vulnerable groups and youth, such as multicultural families and young people preparing for self-reliance who dream of becoming prospective small business owners. Prospective small business owners will receive education on idea consultation necessary for start-ups, business plan writing, business model diagnosis, and overall utilization of digital management.

The Hope Sharing Plus program can be applied for through the Small and Medium Business Hope Foundation website until June 7, and all education and program costs will be fully supported free of charge through the IBK Happiness Sharing Foundation.

An IBK Industrial Bank official said, “Although the management environment is increasingly difficult year by year, we hope this project to help small business owners with growth potential will not only revitalize the local economy but also provide opportunities for youth facing difficulties in job seeking to challenge entrepreneurship.” He added, “We will continue to promote social contribution projects that coexist together through practical support that small and medium enterprises and small business owners can feel.”