Creation of a 'Win-Win Cooperation Fund' for SMEs and Partner Companies

KT announced that it is implementing measures to enhance the competitiveness of small and medium-sized partner companies, ventures, and startups, focusing on support for the protection of technology and trade secrets, provision of R&D testing environments, and overall management consulting.

In addition, a 'win-win cooperation fund' worth 100 billion won will be established for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and partner companies facing difficulties in financing. This measure was prepared to expand opportunities for participation in fostering the five major platforms, not only for group companies but also for SME partner companies and venture firms.

In fostering the five major platforms, not only KT but also group companies with capabilities in related fields such as BC Card, Skylife, and KTH, as well as Korea's first internet-only bank, K-Bank, are participating.



KT has decided to expand participation opportunities for small and medium-sized partner companies, as well as ventures and startups, in its five core future platform sectors, and is implementing measures to enhance competitiveness to this end. As a priority, to provide practical assistance to small and medium-sized partner companies, KT will establish a win-win cooperation fund worth 100 billion won to provide financing at low interest rates. KT plans to finalize the establishment of the fund by this coming August and begin providing financial support starting in September.

It provides solutions for protecting core technologies and trade secrets, which small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and venture companies inevitably face difficulties with when dealing with large corporations. KT supports the escrow (a system of storing data with relevant institutions) for the protection of SMEs' core technical data, covering everything from initial costs to renewal fees. In addition, it was decided to actively support the certification of original trade secrets for SMEs to ensure definitive proof in cases of theft or leakage.

Among KT's five major platforms, 'Enhancing Corporate and Public Value' aims to foster the growth of public institutions and general companies through integrated consulting—including not only ICT infrastructure improvement but also management innovation and new business development—and further contribute to enhancing national competitiveness. KT plans to actively utilize this to improve the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises and venture companies.

It is true that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and venture companies find it difficult to receive consulting for management improvement due to cost burdens. Accordingly, since 2016, KT has been providing free consulting on overall management—including business strategy, marketing, and sales—to over 40 SMEs and venture companies, creating a stepping stone for them to take a leap forward. Going forward, the company has decided to significantly expand access to this free consulting service to include not only small and medium-sized partner companies but also newly established venture companies.

"KT President Koo Hyun-mo, Head of Business Support, said, 'Expanding opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and venture companies to participate in the five major platforms, which are core future businesses, reflects a strong commitment to sharing the future vision.' He added, 'To this end, we have established a 100 billion won mutual cooperation fund and prepared various support measures to substantially enhance the competitiveness of SMEs and venture companies.'"