Jungjingong Establishes 'Bridge Program' for Large and SMEs Win-Win... Also Supports AI Transition

Comprehensive Support Package for Policy Funds, Business Transformation, and Job Creation
Full-Scale Launch of AI Transition Support Project Next Year

The Small and Medium Business Corporation (SBC) is introducing a new 'Bridge Program' this year to provide package support for liquidity, business transformation, and job creation to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) collaborating with large corporations.

Ban Jeong-sik, Director of Regional Innovation at SBC, said at a press briefing held on the 17th in Yeouido, Seoul, "Until now, we have supported individual programs such as the Win-Win Growth Network Loan and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), but starting this year, we will comprehensively support cooperation between large and small businesses."

The Regional Innovation Headquarters of SBC has presented three major strategies for this year: ▲ Win-win cooperation and innovative growth ▲ fostering new technologies and industries ▲ proactive future response.

Banjeong-sik, Director of Regional Innovation at Jungjingong, is speaking at a press conference held on the 17th in Yeouido, Seoul. Korea SMEs and Startups Agency Photo by Korea SMEs and Startups Agency

The Bridge Program is part of the win-win cooperation strategy. It plans to discover promising companies among SMEs collaborating with large corporations engaged in win-win growth activities and provide integrated support including policy funds, business transformation, job creation, and carbon neutrality response.

The support scale for the Win-Win Growth Network Loan will also be expanded. This year's support amount is 139.5 billion KRW, about 40% more than the previous year. This system allows partner companies recommended by large corporations that have signed agreements with SBC to receive advance production funds based on delivery orders. The loan interest rate is set 0.3 percentage points lower than the base rate.

Director Ban said, "Previously, partner SMEs had to secure funds separately until they received payment after delivering finished products," adding, "From the perspective of partner companies, this reduces costs, and from the perspective of large corporations, it stabilizes the supply chain, creating a virtuous cycle that is attracting more interest from large corporations."

A 'Jump-Up Program' for advancing to mid-sized enterprises will also be launched. It will provide intensive public-private cooperative support for three years, including directing, open vouchers, and networking, targeting promising mid-sized companies with growth ambition and technological capabilities.

Starting next year, SBC plans to actively support the transition of SMEs to new industries such as artificial intelligence (AI). A new 'Manufacturing SME AI Transition Support Project' will be launched to enhance productivity at manufacturing sites. Key components include big data utilization at manufacturing sites and the establishment of industry-specific customized AI solutions.

Director Ban emphasized, "There is high demand for AI adoption on-site, but many SMEs are unsure where to start," and added, "Since AI is a survival strategy for manufacturing, we will spare no comprehensive support for companies preparing for the post-smart factory era."