The Ministry of Employment and Labor, along with the Korea Social Enterprise Promotion Agency, announced on the 6th that they have completed the recruitment of companies participating in the ‘Promising Companies Step-Up’ program and are embarking on a project to systematically support social enterprises from the initial startup phase to maturity.
The ‘Promising Companies Step-Up’ program adjusts the level of support according to the growth stage of the company. In the early startup phase, it focuses on strengthening basic management capabilities through the ‘Stepping Stone Support Project’, providing education, mentoring, and network programs. This year, about 1,000 companies are targeted.
The newly introduced ‘Growth Phase Support Project’ this year targets companies that have achieved excellent or higher results in the Social Value Index (SVI) evaluation. A total of 86 companies were selected and they are eligible to receive up to 40 million won per company, including a 20% self-pay. Through this project, Good Gym Co., Ltd. plans to commercialize exercise equipment customized for the disabled, and Ecosum Korea Co., Ltd. plans to develop an eco-friendly educational board game based on bioplastics.
Companies that have achieved stabilization and are pursuing the expansion of social services through collaborative brand building or partnerships can receive large-scale support through the ‘Maturity Stage Support Project’. It targets consortiums composed of at least three companies and provides up to 300 million won in support, including a 50% self-pay. This year, six consortiums have been selected.
A representative example is the joint development of senior content by six companies including Imagination Us Co., Ltd. They aim to enhance the quality of life for the elderly in various fields such as nutrition, safety, leisure, and emotional well-being. Additionally, Jonathan Company aims to develop sales channels for social economy enterprises in rural areas, and The Enjoy Education Co., Ltd. is working on developing the Always Spring School program.
Furthermore, Koiro Co., Ltd. is working on the commercialization of railway-related merchandise, while the Social Cooperative Dow Nuri and Happy Lunch Box are developing community-based integrated care services. What stands out is the pursuit of market expansion and social value realization through collaboration between projects.
Jinho Kwon, Director of Integrated Employment Policy Bureau, said, “The ‘Promising Companies Step-Up’ is a policy that establishes a ladder for social enterprises to grow from startup to self-reliance,” and added, “We will continue to strengthen the self-reliance capabilities of social enterprises and expand support to vitalize the social economy ecosystem.”