Gwangju City Designates 27 Premium Small Giants for Global Expansion

Support for Technology, Commercialization, and Funding

Gwangju City held the "13th Premium Small Giant Company Certification Ceremony" on the 17th at Gwangju Technopark. Photo by Gwangju City

Gwangju City announced on the 18th that it held the '13th Premium Small Giant Companies Certificate Award Ceremony' at Gwangju Technopark on the 17th and selected 27 premium small giant companies with the potential to grow into global enterprises.

This year, 11 companies, including Geummyeong Hitech Co., Ltd., were newly designated as premium small giant companies. Together with the 16 companies that were re-designated, a total of 27 companies will receive support from Gwangju City and related organizations.

Premium small giant companies are selected based on their potential to expand globally through technological innovation, investment in research and development, and stable sales growth. Eligible companies are those in the manufacturing industry (or knowledge service industry with sales of at least 1 billion KRW) with annual sales of at least 5 billion KRW, and either an average annual sales growth rate of 5% or more over the past five years, or an R&D investment ratio of 1% or more compared to sales over the past three years.

The selected premium small giant companies will receive customized support according to their business goals and growth level for three years (from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027), including R&D project planning, commercialization of new technologies, process improvement, and collaboration support.

In addition, with the cooperation of related organizations such as Gwangju City, the Small and Medium Business Administration, Gwangju Technopark, and Gwangju Credit Guarantee Foundation, the companies will receive support in linking support projects, jointly resolving business difficulties, and management, technology, and funding assistance.

Joo Jaehee, Director of Economic and Startup Affairs, said, "Premium small giant companies have become a core driving force for regional innovation, going beyond simple growth," and added, "We will continue to provide full support so that these companies can become global leaders in the Korean economy."