Small Enterprise and Market Service Expands Support, Recruits Technology Providers for Smart Store Project

Applications Accepted from January 12 to 23
Barrier-Free Technology Support Increased from 5 Million to 7 Million Won

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Small Enterprise and Market Service announced on January 5 that they are recruiting technology providers to participate in the "2026 Smart Store Technology Distribution Project," which aims to support the digital transformation and improvement of the business environment for small business owners.

The Smart Store Technology Distribution Project is designed to supply smart technologies such as barrier-free kiosks, table order systems, and unmanned vending machines to small business stores, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and customer service quality. Through this recruitment, approximately 130 technology providers and more than 390 smart technologies will be selected.

Daejeon Small Enterprise and Market Service building. Small Enterprise and Market Service

This year's project has strengthened both the scale and effectiveness of support compared to the previous year. The support limit for barrier-free technologies has been raised from 5 million won to 7 million won, expanding assistance for the adoption of technologies that improve accessibility for digitally vulnerable groups such as the elderly and people with disabilities. The support period for rental-type and software (SW) technologies has also been extended from one year to up to two years.

In addition, to enhance data utilization after the introduction of smart technologies, technology providers that possess solutions for collecting data such as orders and sales are now required to offer services that analyze and process this data for small business owners as a mandatory condition for project participation.

Eligible applicants are companies that supply smart technologies immediately applicable to small business sites. Companies wishing to participate can apply through the Smart Store website from January 12 to January 23. To improve understanding of the project, the Small Enterprise and Market Service will hold a preliminary information session at the main branch of Hana Bank in Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul, on January 8, prior to the application period.

Park Sunghyo, Chairman of the Small Enterprise and Market Service, stated, "We will continue to provide multifaceted support to ensure the distribution of smart technologies that offer practical assistance in the field."