BEPA
BEPA (부산경제진흥원) is Busan Metropolitan City's quasi-governmental economic promotion agency, delivering free government-funded support programs across six business areas — small business competitiveness, regional enterprise innovation, youth policy and culture, industry-matched employment, promising industry cultivation, and the Busan Future Economy Forum — through five integrated digital platforms and multiple physical facilities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersBusan, South Korea
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What BEPA does
BEPA (부산경제진흥원 / Busan Economic Promotion Agency) is a quasi-governmental economic promotion organization established under the Busan Metropolitan City government and governed by the Industrial Cluster Activation and Factory Establishment Act. It functions as the integrated regional delivery vehicle for Busan's SME, small business, youth, workforce, and promising-industry support programs, organizing its work across six priority areas: small business competitiveness, regional enterprise innovation, youth policy and culture, industry-matched employment, promising industry development, and the Busan Future Economy Forum.
Its operating model is G2B (government-to-business) program delivery rather than commercial product sales. BEPA does not charge for its services and is funded entirely through Busan Metropolitan City budgets and other government allocations. The agency operates five primary digital platforms — the Busan Export Platform (trade.bepa.kr) for overseas market entry and trade support, the Busan Knowledge Industry Center (BKIC / nifc.bepa.kr) for tenant incubation in marine, ICT, and smart industries, the SME Capital Support Platform (capital.bepa.kr), the Industrial Complex Support Information System (bici.bepa.kr), and the Busan Job Portal (busanjob.net) — along with physical facilities including the SME Comprehensive Support Center, Busan Youth Center, Busan One-Stop Enterprise Support Center, Sodan Square (a live-commerce support facility), and the Medical Tourism Busan platform.
BEPA serves five core customer segments: small/micro business owners (소상공인) seeking competitiveness and digital channel support; local SMEs and mid-market enterprises pursuing innovation and export growth; youth seeking employment and career-development resources; job seekers and workforce-development candidates requiring training and matching; and companies in promising industries (MICE, medical tourism, pet, marine/fishery, knowledge services, ICT). Services are delivered free or at subsidized rates, and the agency currently houses 29+ tenant companies at BKIC and supports program cohorts of 7–15 companies per business category.
BEPA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BEPA
- Legal name
- 부산경제진흥원
- Website
- https://bepa.kr
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- BEPA (부산경제진흥원) is Busan Metropolitan City's quasi-governmental economic promotion agency, delivering free government-funded support programs across six business areas — small business competitiveness, regional enterprise innovation, youth policy and culture, industry-matched employment, promising industry cultivation, and the Busan Future Economy Forum — through five integrated digital platforms and multiple physical facilities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BEPA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Government Economic Development Services
- NAICS
- Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Help Supply Services (7363)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Workforce, Employability & Youth Skills Partnerships (EDADALAI)
Keywords
Where BEPA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Busan
- HQ country
- South Korea
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
BEPA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Public Institution / Government Funding: BEPA is a quasi-governmental organization (경제진흥원) funded by Busan Metropolitan City and other government budgets. It does not generate commercial revenue. All programs and services are provided free of charge or at subsidized rates to eligible businesses.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
BEPA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BEPA operates as Busan Metropolitan City's designated economic promotion agency, delivering comprehensive support programs to SMEs, small business owners, youth, and promising industries. Its offerings span six strategic areas: small business competitiveness enhancement, regional enterprise innovation growth, youth policy and culture, industry-matched employment, promising industry cultivation, and the Busan Future Economy Forum. Programs include live commerce support, one-stop export consulting, enterprise incubation, capital/financing support, overseas exhibition participation (e.g., China International Fishery Expo), workforce training, and credit guarantee facilitation.
Product overview
BEPA (부산경제진흥원, Busan Economic Promotion Agency) operates as a comprehensive support platform for Busan's economic future, offering multiple digital platforms, physical facilities, and support programs across six strategic areas: small business competitiveness, regional enterprise innovation, youth policy and culture, industry-matched job creation, promising industry cultivation, and the Busan Future Economy Forum. The core digital ecosystem includes the 부산수출플랫폼 (Busan Export Platform) for international trade support, the 부산지식산업센터 (BKIC) knowledge industry center with workspace and meeting facilities, the 중소기업 자금지원 platform for SME financing, the 산업단지 지원시스템 for industrial complex management, the 부산서비스 강소기업 program for service excellence, the 부산청년센터 for youth engagement, and the 부산일자리정보망 job portal. Physical support centers include the 소상공인 종합지원센터, 소담스퀘어 for live commerce, and the 메디투어부산 medical tourism platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Busan Export Platform (부산수출플랫폼) Integrated information network for Busan city and export support organizations, providing overseas marketing statistics, trade delegations, export consultation, and support programs for small and medium enterprises seeking international market entry.
- Busan Knowledge Industry Center / BKIC (부산지식산업센터) Urban multi-complex facility that recruits and supports companies in marine-related industries such as new marine industries and port industries, providing office space, meeting rooms, and business support programs. Currently houses 29+ tenant companies across manufacturing, research, and service industries.
- SME Funding Support Platform (중소기업 자금지원 플랫폼) SME funding support platform providing financial assistance and capital access for stable business growth of small and medium enterprises.
- Industrial Complex Support Information System (산업단지 지원시스템) Industrial complex and enterprise support information system that promotes development and competitiveness of industrial complexes through information sharing.
- Busan Service Strong Enterprises Program (부산서비스 강소기업) Support program that selects and fosters competitive service companies in Busan, designated by Busan Metropolitan City, covering areas such as business services, medical, video/content, tourism/MICE, logistics, IT/ICT, and finance.
- Busan Youth Center (부산청년센터) Youth-led youth policy promotion and facility providing space for youth activities, exchanges, and programs managed by Busan Metropolitan City.
- Busan Job Information Network (부산일자리정보망) Job information portal that aggregates recruitment information, company data, and support programs across the Busan region in one place.
- Meditour Busan Medical Tourism Platform (메디투어부산) Medical tourism platform that promotes medical tourism by combining high-quality medical services with tourism, facilitating international patients.
- Busan One-Stop Enterprise Support Center (부산원스톱기업지원센터) One-stop support center providing comprehensive consulting and support services for businesses including expert consulting, market entry assistance, and policy coordination.
- SME Comprehensive Support Center (소상공인 종합지원센터) Comprehensive support center providing customized programs for local small business growth at each stage of their development.
- Sodam Square Live Commerce Support Space (소담스퀘어) Customized live commerce support space for small business owners, providing training and resources for digital sales channels.
- Small Business B2B Platform (소상공인 B2B 플랫폼 / 함빨까보까) Small business platform connecting small businesses that need design services with local designers, facilitating collaboration in the small business ecosystem.
Quantifiable outcome
- 90% of MICE Jump-up program participants achieved employment creation or sales growth, with average sales increase of 21%
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use BEPA
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
BEPA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
BEPA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- KOTRA (한국무역협회)coreKOTRA collaborates with BEPA on export support programs, trade missions, and overseas marketing initiatives for Busan companies. BEPA's Busan Export Platform provides integrated information alongside KOTRA's global trade services.
- Busan Customs (부산세관)coreBusan Customs works with BEPA on trade facilitation, export-import procedures, and regulatory compliance for Busan exporters using the Busan Export Platform.
- Korean Trade Insurance Corporation (한국무역보험공사, KSURE)minorProvides trade insurance and credit guarantee services integrated into the Busan Export One-Stop Center's consulting offerings.
- Korean Association of Marine Industry (한국신발산업협회)minorCollaborates on industry-specific support programs for footwear and marine-related manufacturing companies in Busan.
- Busan Techno Park (부산테크노파크)coreJointly supports R&D programs, technology development, and innovation initiatives for promising industries in Busan, including marine and ICT sectors.
- Busan Design Center (부산디자인진흥원)minorPartners on design-related support programs, marketing materials, and branding initiatives for SMEs and small businesses in Busan.
- Busan Metropolitan City and Related Municipal DepartmentscorePrimary parent/governing organization. Busan Metropolitan City funds and oversees BEPA's programs, with various city departments (such as the Youth Division) collaborating on specific initiatives.
- Ministry of SMEs and Startups (중소벤처기업부)coreNational government ministry providing policy direction and funding for SME support programs that BEPA administers at the regional level.
- Busan Information Industry Promotion Agency (부산정보산업진흥원)minorCollaborates on AI+X conferences and ICT-related programs, digital transformation initiatives, and AI utilization training for enterprises.
- SME Credit Guarantee Foundation Busan (부산신용보증재단)minorProvides credit guarantees and financial support for small businesses and SMEs in Busan through referral and integrated service programs.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
BEPA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Busan Techno Park (BTP / 부산테크노파크): Busan-based technology and innovation support organization collaborating with BEPA on R&D and industrial development. Most direct local peer operating in the same geography with overlapping beneficiary base.
- Gwangju Economic Promotion Agency (광주경제진흥원): Regional peer operating the same municipal-backed economic promotion model in Gwangju. Comparable scope: SME support, enterprise cultivation, and emerging industry programs.
- Daegu-Gyeongbuk Free Economic Zone Authority: Regional economic zone authority administering investment promotion and enterprise support in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk area. Comparable model as a sub-national economic development agency.
- Incheon Global Campus / Incheon Economic Promotion Agency: Regional economic development entity supporting enterprises and foreign investment in Incheon. Provides a comparable structure of municipal-backed support programs and export platforms.
- Busan Information Industry Promotion Agency (부산정보산업진흥원): Busan-based ICT promotion agency collaborating with BEPA on AI+X conferences and digital transformation programs. Operates adjacent ICT-focused programs targeting overlapping beneficiaries.
Broad incumbents
- Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME / 중소벤처기업진흥공단): National-level agency administering SME financing, market development, and innovation support programs across Korea. Operates the same policy-driven delivery model BEPA implements at the regional level.
- Seoul Business Agency (SBA / 서울산업진흥원): Seoul's designated municipal economic promotion agency providing SME support, incubation, export assistance, and workforce programs - the closest functional equivalent at a larger scale. Directly comparable mandate and operating model to BEPA.
- Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA): National trade and investment promotion agency partnering with BEPA on the Busan Export Platform. Operates adjacent export support and overseas market entry services for Korean SMEs.
- Small Business Corporation (소상공인시장진흥공단): National public institution dedicated to small business owner support, market development, and incubation. Direct peer for BEPA's 소상공인 (small business) segment with overlapping one-stop service programs.
- Korea Industrial Complex Corporation (KICOX / 한국산업단지공단): National industrial complex management corporation developing and operating industrial estates - directly paralleling BEPA's 산업단지지원시스템 and knowledge industry center operations.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
BEPA social profiles
Digital presenceBEPA compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
BEPA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BEPA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
BEPA subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
BEPA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BEPA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BEPA
What does BEPA do?
BEPA operates as Busan Metropolitan City's designated economic promotion agency, delivering comprehensive support programs to SMEs, small business owners, youth, and promising industries. Its offerings span six strategic areas: small business competitiveness enhancement, regional enterprise innovation growth, youth policy and culture, industry-matched employment, promising industry cultivation, and the Busan Future Economy Forum. Programs include live commerce support, one-stop export consulting, enterprise incubation, capital/financing support, overseas exhibition participation (e.g., China International Fishery Expo), workforce training, and credit guarantee facilitation.
Is BEPA a public or private company?
BEPA is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was BEPA founded?
BEPA was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is BEPA based?
BEPA is headquartered in Busan, South Korea, in the Asia region.
How does BEPA make money?
One revenue line is on record: public Institution / Government Funding.
Who are BEPA's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Busan Techno Park (BTP / 부산테크노파크), Gwangju Economic Promotion Agency (광주경제진흥원), Daegu-Gyeongbuk Free Economic Zone Authority, Incheon Global Campus / Incheon Economic Promotion Agency and Busan Information Industry Promotion Agency (부산정보산업진흥원). Broad incumbents are Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME / 중소벤처기업진흥공단), Seoul Business Agency (SBA / 서울산업진흥원), Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), Small Business Corporation (소상공인시장진흥공단) and Korea Industrial Complex Corporation (KICOX / 한국산업단지공단).
Does BEPA have an API?
No public API is recorded for BEPA.
What industry is BEPA in?
BEPA's product category is Government Economic Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAN, Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local), with a secondary code of EDADALAI, Workforce, Employability & Youth Skills Partnerships. Its NAICS code is 56192 and its SIC code is 8742.