Three Types Including the Regional Specialization Project Linked Model
Nationwide Support Totalling 14.8 Billion Won
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 27th that it will recruit the second group of participating companies this year for the "SME Innovation Voucher Support Program" to strengthen the competitiveness of regional industries and local companies.
This announcement is intended to recruit demand-side companies for the "Regional Growth Voucher" type, one of the five types under the Innovation Voucher Program, and applications will be accepted until March 13. After evaluation, the ministry will provide selected companies with vouchers of up to 50 million won that can be used in three areas: consulting, technology support, and marketing. The total support will amount to 14.8 billion won nationwide.
The Regional Growth Voucher is divided into three types depending on the beneficiaries. The main targets are: companies participating in the Legend 50+ Project under the "Regional Specialization Linked Type" (10 billion won), traditional local manufacturing companies under the "Regional Autonomous Type" (2.54 billion won), and companies in the region participating in the Entrepreneurial Small Business Development Project under the "Small Manufacturer Growth Type" (2.26 billion won).
The first Regional Specialization Project Linked Voucher targets companies participating in the "Legend 50+ Project," the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' representative regional SME growth model, and will provide support totaling 10 billion won. Beneficiaries can receive support through a simplified procedure that exempts on-site evaluations.
The second Regional Autonomous Voucher will provide about 2.54 billion won in support based on programs planned by regional offices of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, aimed at restoring and strengthening the competitiveness of traditional local manufacturing and key industries. Detailed information can be found in separate announcements issued by each regional office.
The third Regional Small Manufacturer Growth Voucher is a newly designed voucher this year, aimed at enhancing the technological and product competitiveness of regional small manufacturers and promoting their market entry, particularly those with poor conditions for technology and product development such as insufficient manufacturing facilities. Approximately 2.26 billion won in support will be provided to companies that have participated in the Entrepreneurial Small Business Development Project.
The SME Innovation Voucher Program will be announced on the Ministry of SMEs and Startups website, and companies wishing to participate can apply online through the Innovation Voucher Platform website.
For detailed information about the program, inquiries can be made to the Integrated Call Center for SMEs (dial 1357 without an area code) or the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency Call Center (1811-3655).
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