509 small and midsize companies named to the Innovation Premier 1000

Focused financial and non-financial support, with special privileges for each ministry's support projects

Thirteen ministries, including the Financial Services Commission, have selected a total of 509 SMEs as the first Innovation Premier 1000 for 2025.

‘The Innovation Premier 1000 is a program to intensively support outstanding companies by industry through collaboration between finance and industry, and was introduced at the 9th Policy and Financial Support Council in December to provide more effective support to outstanding companies by consolidating similar support systems that have been operating in the past.

‘The ’Innovation Premier 1000' selects innovative and growing small and medium-sized enterprises based on criteria set by each ministry considering policy directions, and policy financial institutions provide customized financial and non-financial support to outstanding companies.

In addition, each ministry will issue an ‘Innovation Premier Certificate' to selected companies under its jurisdiction, and will also provide privileges for ministry-specific support programs, such as points for R&D support and public relations support.

Meanwhile, of the 509 companies selected, more than 961 TP3T (492) fall into the ‘five priority funding areas".

By industry sector, the winners span manufacturing and mobility (electric vehicles, advanced defense, robotics, etc.), artificial intelligence (AI analytics, big data, etc.), and environment and smart agri-food (green fuels, alternative foods, etc.).

By company size, 488 were small businesses and 21 were midsize companies.

GayaBio is one of 25 companies selected this year by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in recognition of its potential for innovative growth, Developing eco-friendly nutritional welfare feeds that provide balanced nutrition and induce a harmonious gut microbiome while reducing agricultural greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide, The company focuses on producing specialty animal products rich in nutrients that improve human health, including omega-3s. 

‘Companies selected as ‘Innovation Premier' can submit applications for financial and non-financial support online and offline to the 'Policy Finance Comprehensive Support Team', which will review the applications and existing transactions to assign a policy finance institution in charge and provide customized and close support.

Ministries can support the promotion of selected companies through the issuance of the Innovation Premier Certificate.

In addition, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Land, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Welfare, Ministry of Customs, and Ministry of Finance will provide ministry-specific support programs for ‘Innovation Premier’ companies.

For details on the timeline and specific benefits of each ministry's Innovation Premier Certificate, please contact the ministry that selected the Innovation Premier.

‘The ‘Policy and Financial Support Group’ and the Financial Services Commission will regularly share the details of the selection and support of the ‘Innovation Premier’ to each ministry, and check on matters requiring improvement through the 'Policy and Financial Support Council'.

Companies selected for this first round of Innovation Premier will be eligible for benefits through the end of 2026.

The second round of Innovation Premier submissions and selections will take place in the first half of next year.

The government plans to increase the selection limit so that more companies can be supported in the second round of selection for ministries with high demand for support from industrial sites or achievements as a result of the first round.

“Every year, the government and policy organizations will continue to select 500 new companies to manage and support outstanding companies in each industry that will lead innovative growth,” said the finance ministry, adding, “From next year, it is expected that about 1,000 innovation premier companies will benefit from intensive support every year.”.

[Source] Adapted from Korea Policy Briefing (www.korea.kr) and introduction by Gaya Bio