Strong Support for Small Business Growth... Recruiting Online Sellers and Global Types

Applications Accepted from July 4 to 13

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 19th that it is recruiting small business owners to participate in the ‘2025 Strong Small Business Growth Support Project (Online Seller and Global Types)’ to support small business owners who want to develop creative items based on entrepreneurship and grow into entrepreneurial online sellers or expand their business fields to overseas markets.

The Strong Small Business Growth Support Project is a program that supports small business owners to collaborate with partner companies to develop differentiated products and services and grow into entrepreneurial small business owners.

First, 250 companies selected for the online seller type will receive basic and advanced training, including practical use of AI tools operated by Naver and Kakao, marketing solution strategies, and selling techniques. Outstanding trainees can develop and utilize services and products optimized for online platforms through up to 50 million KRW in commercialization funds and practical training based on separate evaluations.

Seventy teams selected for the global type will undergo a team-building program and then participate in the first audition. Thirty-five teams selected through the first audition can receive up to 60 million KRW in business model advancement funds. Ten teams selected in the final audition, conducted for companies that passed the first audition, will receive an additional scale-up fund of up to 40 million KRW, totaling up to 100 million KRW.

The Gangwon Center for Creative Economy and Innovation, the host institution for the online seller type, and CNT Tech, the host institution for the global type, will utilize their human and material resources to provide participating companies with incubation spaces, online seller and global capability assessments, pop-up stores, and various specialized programs such as direct and indirect investments.

Lee Dae-geon, Director of Small Business Policy, said, “Along with the recent popularity of Hallyu content, small brands created by small business owners in various fields such as beauty, food, fashion, and daily necessities are gaining popularity,” and “We will actively support entrepreneurial small business owners, who are lifestyle and local brand innovative companies, to expand their markets online and overseas and grow into global brands.”