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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.

  • January 2023 Reorganization of export BI(Business Incubator) into GBC(Global Business Center)
  • June 2022 New opening of K-Startup Center Paris
  • 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

  • April 2021 Expansion of Youth Startup Academy (Newly opened in Sejong, 18 academies in total)
  • November 2020 Designated as a dedicated agency for the Regulation Free Special Zone
  • December 2019 Opened more Support Centers for SME's New Challenge in 18 regions across the nation in total
  • September 2019 Opened two KSCs (Seattle, the US and New Delhi, India)
  • April 2019 Changed name to Korea SMEs and Startups Agency
  • September 2018 Opened more Youth Startup Academies in 17 regions across the country in total
  • June 2018 Established KOSME Partners
  • 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

  • April 2015 Took over businesses of training workforce and consulting from Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs
  • November 2014 Opened Global BIs (Hanoi, Xian, and Almaty)
  • October 2014 Opened Global Leadership Training Institution
  • August 2014 Launched KOSME's Mutual Aid Fund for Long-term Workers
  • July 2014 Completed relocation (Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do)
  • 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

  • December 2012 Designated as a financing quasi-government agency
  • January 2012 Opened Youth Startup Center
  • March 2011 Opened Startup Academy of KOSME
  • January 2009 Opened Western Genogram District Office
  • January 2009 Changed the name of funds to Small and Medium Enterprise's Start-up and Promotion Fund
  • June 2008 Took over Industry Support Fund and export support program as unifying the management of policy funds and overseas marketing
  • 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

  • December 2007 Established Business Change Support Center
  • November 2007 Opened Global Outsourcing Center and residence area of Training Center for SMEs with extension
  • April 2007 Opened Trade Adjustment Support Center
  • September 2006 Opened Novosibirsk Technology Cooperation Center and Middle and Western Gyeongbuk District Office
  • August 2006 Opened Eastern Gyeongbuk District Office, Western Gyeonggi District Office, Western Jeonnam District Office, and Eastern Jeonnam District Office
  • October 2005 Held Biz-Mate Ceremony for field-centered service
  • March 2005 Opened Korea SMEs and Startups Business Center in Qingdao, China
  • October 2004 Opened Korea SMEs and Startups Training Institute - Busan‧Gyeongnam
  • November 2003 Opened Korea SMEs and Startups Training Institute – Daegu‧Gyeongbuk
  • 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

  • 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
  • September 2001 Opened Korea SMEs and Startups Training Institute – Honam
  • February 2001 Opened Korea IT Venture Center (Japan)
  • October 2000 Opened Korea Venture Support Center (the US)
  • July 2000 Opened out-reach counseling centers (17 centers across 10 regions)
  • June 2000 Opened Support Center for SMEs' Business with North Korea
  • March 2000 Established a subsidiary, Korea Venture Investment Corporation (before: Dasan Venture)
  • December 1999 Opened Happy Department Store
  • 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)

  • December 1995 Established a subsidiary, Small & Medium Business Distribution Center
  • July 1995 Established a subsidiary, Small & medium Business Corporation Registrar (before: SME Certification Center)
  • 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
  • October 1994 Opened Software Business Incubation Center
  • 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

  • November 1992 Started the construction for the Business Incubation Center
  • January 1992 Partial revision to the Supporting Fund Program
  • August 1991 Opened SME Location Information Center
  • September 1989 Started SME restructuring
Modernization 1979~1987

Prioritizing modernization of SMEs with support for financing, consulting, worker training, and information

  • February 1985 Began establishing regional offices and district offices (currently 31 in total)
  • December 1982 Took over businesses of Korea Industrial Technology Agency
  • October 1982 Opened Korea SMEs and Startups Training Institute –Ansan
  • July 1980 Took over businesses of Korea Agricultural Product Development Agency
  • September 1979 Began establishing overseas offices (Germany, the US, Japan, and China)
  • January 1979 Began establishing KOSME (with 7 departments 3 offices and 195 employees)
  • December 1978 Enacted and declared the Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Act