Establishment of Innovative Growth System centered on SMEs and Startups
2022~
Reform of regulation, Enhancement of policy
performance based on private-sector cooperation,
Revitalization of ecosystem to support local SMEs.
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January 2023
Reorganization of export BI(Business Incubator) into GBC(Global Business Center)
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June 2022
New opening of K-Startup Center Paris
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February 2022
Establishment of Corporate Restructuring Center(in 10 Regional HQ/District Offices)
Job Creation / Income-led Innovative Growth, Fair Economy
2017~2021
Supporting Growth with Innovation
Creating an Environment for Fair Economy
Supporting Job Creation
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April 2021
Expansion of Youth Startup Academy (Newly opened in Sejong, 18 academies in total)
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November 2020
Designated as a dedicated agency for the Regulation Free Special Zone
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December 2019
Opened more Support Centers for SME's New Challenge in 18 regions across the nation in total
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September 2019
Opened two KSCs (Seattle, the US and New Delhi, India)
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April 2019
Changed name to Korea SMEs and Startups Agency
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September 2018
Opened more Youth Startup Academies in 17 regions across the country in total
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June 2018
Established KOSME Partners
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March 2017
Established Personnel Solution Center
Virtuous Circles for SMEs' Growth
2013~2016
Supporting SMEs depending on their life cycle
Enhancing SMEs' ability for globalization and competitiveness
Focusing on support for startups, SMEs, and renewed challenges
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April 2015
Took over businesses of training workforce and consulting from Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs
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November 2014
Opened Global BIs (Hanoi, Xian, and Almaty)
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October 2014
Opened Global Leadership Training Institution
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August 2014
Launched KOSME's Mutual Aid Fund for Long-term Workers
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July 2014
Completed relocation (Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do)
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December 2013
Established Global Distribution Network Support Center (New Jersey, The US)
New Growth
2008~2012
Making new growth industry stronger and future growth foundation solid
Providing services more related to business diagnosis
Nurturing startups at their early stage
Focusing on support for technology commercialization
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December 2012
Designated as a financing quasi-government agency
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January 2012
Opened Youth Startup Center
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March 2011
Opened Startup Academy of KOSME
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January 2009
Opened Western Genogram District Office
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January 2009
Changed the name of funds to Small and Medium Enterprise's Start-up and Promotion Fund
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June 2008
Took over Industry Support Fund and export support program as unifying the management of policy funds and overseas marketing
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January 2008
Opened Southeastern Seoul District Office
Regional Innovation
2003~2007
Implementing new projects in response to changes in the economic environment, from structural sophistication and 5-day workweek, to easing youth unemployment and preventing the hollowing-out of the manufacturing industry
Participating Regional Innovation Strategy such as regionally specialized start-up, Network-Hub Demonstrations, and operation of Inno-cafés
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December 2007
Established Business Change Support Center
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November 2007
Opened Global Outsourcing Center and residence area of Training Center for SMEs with extension
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April 2007
Opened Trade Adjustment Support Center
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September 2006
Opened Novosibirsk Technology Cooperation Center and Middle and Western Gyeongbuk District Office
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August 2006
Opened Eastern Gyeongbuk District Office, Western Gyeonggi District Office, Western Jeonnam District Office, and Eastern Jeonnam District Office
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October 2005
Held Biz-Mate Ceremony for field-centered service
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March 2005
Opened Korea SMEs and Startups Business Center in Qingdao, China
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October 2004
Opened Korea SMEs and Startups Training Institute - Busan‧Gyeongnam
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November 2003
Opened Korea SMEs and Startups Training Institute – Daegu‧Gyeongbuk
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September 2003
Opened Northern Chungnam District Office
Beyond the IMF Financial Crisis
1998~2002
Providing direct loans under the IMF Bailout Program
Focusing on support for SMEs and Startups
Expanding total limit of loans for one year to 2 trillion KRW
Implementing the second 5-Year Economic Development Plan
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March 2002
Took over Industrial Foundation Fund following the revision of Framework Act on Fund Management and changing its name to Small and Medium Enterprise Establishment and Industrial Foundation Fund
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September 2001
Opened Korea SMEs and Startups Training Institute – Honam
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February 2001
Opened Korea IT Venture Center (Japan)
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October 2000
Opened Korea Venture Support Center (the US)
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July 2000
Opened out-reach counseling centers (17 centers across 10 regions)
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June 2000
Opened Support Center for SMEs' Business with North Korea
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March 2000
Established a subsidiary, Korea Venture Investment Corporation (before: Dasan Venture)
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December 1999
Opened Happy Department Store
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September 1998
Established Export Business Incubator to strengthen support for SMEs' export
- Chicago(’98), Frankfurt, Beijing(’02), LA, Guangzhou (’93) Washington, Tokyo, Ho Chi Minh, Sao Paulo(’04), New York, Shanghai, Singapore, Moscow, Dubai, New Delhi(’06), Chengdu(’07), Mexico City(’08)
5-Year Economic Development Plan
1993~1997
Implementing structural improvement project with 1 trillion KRW a year following the 5-Year Economic Development Plan
(Huge scale-up in policy funds)
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December 1995
Established a subsidiary, Small & Medium Business Distribution Center
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July 1995
Established a subsidiary, Small & medium Business Corporation Registrar (before: SME Certification Center)
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January 1995
Under the SME Promotion and Product Promotion Act, managed Small and Medium Enterprise Structural Sophistication Fund, Start-up Support Fund and Local SME Fostering Fund
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October 1994
Opened Software Business Incubation Center
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April 1993
Implemented a program to improve business structures of SMEs
Accelerating Restructuring
1988~1992
Implement restructuring projects such as process improvement, informatization, technology development, and business changes, as well as taking over businesses from conglomerates and moving idle facilities overseas
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November 1992
Started the construction for the Business Incubation Center
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January 1992
Partial revision to the Supporting Fund Program
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August 1991
Opened SME Location Information Center
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September 1989
Started SME restructuring
Modernization
1979~1987
Prioritizing modernization of SMEs with support for financing, consulting, worker training, and information
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February 1985
Began establishing regional offices and district offices (currently 31 in total)
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December 1982
Took over businesses of Korea Industrial Technology Agency
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October 1982
Opened Korea SMEs and Startups Training Institute –Ansan
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July 1980
Took over businesses of Korea Agricultural Product Development Agency
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September 1979
Began establishing overseas offices (Germany, the US, Japan, and China)
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January 1979
Began establishing KOSME (with 7 departments 3 offices and 195 employees)
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December 1978
Enacted and declared the Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Act