Ministry of SMEs and Startups Announces Call for 2025 Purchase-Linked and Win-Win Cooperation R&D Projects

Online Applications Open Until June 23

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on May 22 that it will be accepting applications for new projects under the "2025 Purchase-Linked and Win-Win Cooperation R&D" program to promote the commercialization of technology by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The Purchase-Linked and Win-Win Cooperation R&D program, introduced in 2002, is a flagship technology development support initiative by the Ministry. It provides integrated support from demand-driven technology development to securing sales channels tailored to the needs of client companies.

Each company can receive up to 600 million won in R&D funding over two years. This year, a total of 112 new projects will be supported. Of these, 13 projects were already selected through an earlier announcement in January, and the remaining 99 projects will be chosen through this latest call.

The Ministry has been working to foster long-term collaborative relationships by organizing events such as "performance dissemination events" to create opportunities for cooperation among client companies, SMEs, and investment companies. As a result, the average sales per supported project have reached 430 million won (based on 100 million won in government research funding), contributing to tangible revenue growth for SMEs.

This year’s support types are divided into two categories, depending on how SMEs collaborate with client companies and investment companies.

First, the "Purchase-Linked R&D" model matches SMEs with clients that have actual purchasing demand, such as large corporations or public institutions, and provides support from technology development through to purchase. Additional points are awarded if multiple clients are secured at the time of application. If, during development, changes in the technological environment make purchase difficult, the Ministry will conduct a preliminary review and allow flexible adjustments to the development goals or content.

In addition, startups selected through the "Public-Private Cooperation Open Innovation" program will have the opportunity to receive support linked to this Purchase-Linked R&D initiative.

The "Win-Win Cooperation R&D" model involves the Ministry and private investment companies jointly raising R&D funds, with SMEs developing technologies or products required by the investment companies.

Investment companies actively cooperate in the development process by providing technology verification and demonstration environments. A representative example is the collaboration between Incheon International Airport Corporation and SME Anse Technology, which jointly developed an aircraft visual guidance system. Through more than 850 verifications in the demonstration environment provided by the corporation, they secured international technical safety standards, and the developed product is now in operation at Incheon International Airport. Since last year, the two organizations have further developed their win-win partnership to expand into overseas airports.

This year, to ensure greater fairness among investment companies, the Ministry has improved the preliminary review process for investment companies to a relative evaluation system. The evaluation in the public institution co-growth index now places more emphasis on project selection scores rather than project application, thus encouraging the selection of higher-quality projects and strengthening the system.

Companies wishing to participate in the Purchase-Linked and Win-Win Cooperation R&D program can apply online via the Pan-Ministry Integrated Research Support System website from May 23 to June 23. Detailed announcement information and application procedures for each type can also be found on the official website of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

Park Yongsoon, Director of Technology Innovation Policy, stated, "For innovative growth of SMEs and startups, it is important not to stop at technology development but to ensure it leads to commercialization and increased sales," adding, "We hope that the Purchase-Linked and Win-Win Cooperation R&D program will become a vital link driving the substantial growth of SMEs and startups."