SEMAS Recruiting Host Organizations for the "Local Startup Company Development Program"

Eight Institutions to Be Selected for Five Major Regions and Three Specialized Zones

The Small Enterprise and Market Service (SEMAS) announced on January 23 that it is recruiting host organizations to operate the "2026 Local Startup Company Development Program" until February 5.

The "Local Startup Company Development Program" is a program designed to foster creative small business owners into competitive local companies by providing stage-by-stage support tailored to their growth.

This year’s host organizations will provide one-stop support from startup to scale-up by integrating the New Business Startup Academy, Local Creator Development, and Strong Small Business Owner programs. In addition to these, they may also conduct optional tasks such as global small business development projects. The program will offer comprehensive support for the entire process of developing local startups into global brands, with a focus on nurturing export-driven small businesses.

SEMAS will select eight organizations to oversee the five major regions and three specialized zones nationwide, in line with the government’s regional era initiative and balanced regional development policy. The selected organizations will serve as regional hubs for local startup development. Institutions wishing to participate may form consortia with investors, local startup organizations, and private companies, and may apply for multiple regions.

The selected organizations will provide a variety of support programs for local startups, including incubation and mentoring, commercialization support, local startup competitions, investment, and market linkage. Further details can be found at Small Business 24 (www.sbiz24.kr).

Park Seonghyo, Chairman of SEMAS, stated, "We will strive to select outstanding organizations with expertise and capabilities to ensure that local entrepreneurs can grow from startup to global expansion."