The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS, Minister OH Youngju) announced that on Wednesday, April 23, it held the ‘Launch Ceremony of the Jump-Up Program’ at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul. The event was attended by Minister OH Youngju, employees from 100 selected companies in the Jump-Up Program, and representatives from 14 supporting organizations, totaling about 130 people.

The ceremony was held to mark the beginning of the program and to bring together the 100 selected companies and the 14 organizations that will support their entry into new businesses and markets over the next three years, to pledge a commitment to new challenges and growth.

The event began with an opening video outlining the background of the Jump-Up Program, the selection process for the companies, and future support plans and visions. This was followed by a plaque presentation ceremony, where Minister OH personally handed plaques to five representative companies, symbolizing the selected companies.

Subsequently, eight policy organizations, including the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME), Korea Technology and information Promotion Agency for SMEs (TIPA), Korea Technology Finance Corporation (KOTEC), Korea Credit Guarantee Fund (KODIT), Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK), Korea Development Bank (KDB), Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank), and the Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-sure), as well as six private sector organizations, including the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), Boston Consulting Group, Samjong KPMG, EY Hanyoung, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), and Institute for Advanced Engineering, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to mutually cooperate in supporting the successful leap of the 100 promising companies selected.

In addition, a side event was organized where the selected companies had opportunities to meet and consult with the private sector organizations and policy institutions, discussing new business and market entry directions, as well as the necessary support policies in-depth.

Minister OH Youngju emphasized, “The recent imposition of tariffs has increased the burden on SMEs trying to enter global markets. In this difficult time, the Jump-Up Program, which focuses on supporting SMEs’ entry into new businesses and markets as well as their scale-up, will be a great help.” She further stated, “For the Jump-Up Program to firmly establish itself as a strong pillar in building a corporate growth ladder, the proactive role of the companies and institutions attending today is essential. The MSS will also support and continuously strive through various policy measures.”

The Jump-Up Program is a policy being implemented for the first time from 2025 to revitalize the Korean economy and inject dynamism. Through rigorous and intensive evaluation and verification by experts in various fields, 100 promising SMEs are selected to receive comprehensive and systematic support for their entry into new businesses and markets over the next three years.