Korea Small and Medium Business Development Association

What Korea Small and Medium Business Development Association does

Korea Small and Medium Business Development Association (사단법인 한국중소기업발전협회) is a private incorporated nonprofit (사단법인) headquartered in the Gasan digital district of Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, South Korea. The association supports small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups through a portfolio of service programs rather than a unified technology platform. Its core offerings include the proprietary COREBiz certification system for enterprise evaluation, intellectual property (patent filing and registration cost) support services, venture confirmation diagnostic support that enables a 50% corporate tax reduction for certified SMEs, COREBiz IR Day investor-matching programs, total management consulting, an association academy offering mandatory legal education for member companies, star-enterprise identification and nurturing programs, and a Business Manager Coach (경영자코치) certification program.

The association operates a tiered membership model — associate (free), regular (KRW 240,000 / ~$180 annual fee), and special (separately negotiated premium) — and is also an approved designated donation recipient (지정기부금 단체) designated by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, enabling tax-advantaged corporate donations. Its go-to-market is community-led: the ceo-korea.org website and Cyber Training Center (사이버연수원) function as the primary information, application, and e-learning channels, supplemented by Instagram (@ceo_maxvalue), press releases, video galleries, and in-person/online seminars.

The association is embedded in a broad institutional ecosystem of over 20 partners, including government bodies (Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission, Small and Medium Business Administration, National Tax Service), universities (Korea University of Science and Technology, Konkuk, Sungkyunkwan, Kyung Hee, Yonsei, Dongguk), financial institutions (NH Investment & Securities, Samsung Life, Hana Bank, Trust Fund, KONEX Association), and professional service firms (accounting, patent, and law firms). It does not disclose headcount, revenue, membership counts, or founding year in the available source material, though statutory donation filings dated 2025 and 2026 and ongoing program launches confirm it is actively operating as a Korea-domestic, single-geography nonprofit.

Name

Korea Small and Medium Business Development Association

Legal name

사단법인한국중소기업발전협회

Website

https://ceo-korea.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Korea Small and Medium Business Development Association is a Seoul-based nonprofit that supports South Korean SMEs and startups through membership-based programs including COREBiz certification, intellectual property and patent voucher support, venture confirmation diagnostics, IR day investor matching, management consulting, and executive coach certification.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

SME Business Support and Industry Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (81391), Business Associations (813910), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Professional Organizations (81392), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (81399), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

SME & Entrepreneurship Development (Trade-Linked) (BPADAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN), Entrepreneurship & Small Business Workforce Programs (EDAAAOAM), Marketing, Branding & Sales Skills (EDAMAHAG), Corporate Foundations & CSR Grantmaking (BPAGAKAC)

Keywords

• SME consulting services
• Venture investment support
• Intellectual property support
• Executive coaching certification
• Business membership association

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: The association generates revenue primarily through membership fees. Regular members pay an annual fee of 240,000 KRW (approximately $180 USD), with special members paying separate fees. Additional revenue may come from program participation and services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Korea Small and Medium Business Development Association is a nonprofit industry association that delivers a portfolio of business-support programs to Korean SMEs and startups, including the COREBiz certification system, intellectual property (patent filing) support, venture confirmation and investment-matching support, IR day mentoring, total management consulting, academy/education programs, star-enterprise nurturing, and the Business Manager Coach certification. Services are delivered through a tiered membership model (associate, regular, special) supplemented by subsidized programs.

Product overview

Korea Small and Medium Business Development Association is a nonprofit organization (사단법인) that provides a portfolio of business support services for SMEs. The core offerings include the COREBiz certification system for enterprise evaluation, intellectual property support for patent filing, venture investment support for certification and tax benefits, IR day support for investment attraction, total management consulting, academy education programs, and star enterprise nurturing programs. The association also offers executive coach certification. These services are standalone support programs rather than a unified technology platform or product suite, focused on helping SMEs enhance their internal value and achieve sustainable growth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• COREBiz 인증제도: COREBiz certification system operated by the association to evaluate and certify small and medium enterprises.

Products and services

• COREBiz Certification System (COREBiz 인증제도) A proprietary certification system operated by the association to evaluate and recognize excellent small and medium enterprises, providing certified companies with support benefits and market credibility.
• Intellectual Property Support Services (지식재산권 지원사업) Patent filing and registration cost support program — including the Patent Filing/Registration Cost Voucher (특허출원·등록 비용 바우처) — helping SMEs acquire intellectual property rights and enhance corporate value through patent registration.
• Venture Investment Support Services (벤처투자 지원사업) Venture confirmation (벤처확인) diagnostic and certification support service helping startups and SMEs prepare for venture certification, enabling 50% corporate tax reduction and supporting investment attraction.
• COREBiz IR Day Support Services (COREBiz IR데이 지원사업) IR support program providing IR mentoring and investor-matching services that help SMEs attract investment capital through staged IR Day events.
• Total Management Support Services (토탈 경영지원 사업) Comprehensive business management consulting and mentoring program supporting SME operational improvement across management, finance, and growth functions.
• Association Academy Services (협회 아카데미 사업) Education and training services including mandatory legal-obligation e-learning (정회원사 법정의무교육) provided free of charge to regular member companies via the Cyber Training Center.
• Star Enterprise Support Services (스타기업 지원사업) Support program for identifying and nurturing star enterprises with high growth potential, providing resources for value enhancement and sustainable growth (스타기업 발굴과 가치확산).
• Business Manager Coach Certification (경영자코치 자격증) Professional certification program for executive coaching, providing qualifications for business leaders and managers through e-learning certification courses delivered via the Cyber Training Center.
• Designated Donation Recipient Program (지정기부금 단체) Tax-advantaged donation channel: the association is an approved designated donation recipient by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, allowing individuals and corporations to make tax-deductible donations to support growth-potential SMEs, with annual donation collection and usage details publicly disclosed under Korean Corporate Tax Act Article 38(8) and Article 39(5).
• Association Membership (협회 회원사) Tiered membership offering (Associate — free; Regular — annual 240,000 KRW; Special — separately negotiated premium tier) providing access to subsidized programs, training, consulting, IR events, and the Cyber Training Center.

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Dongguk University Graduate School of Law (동국대학교 법무대학원)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2026The association signed a cooperation agreement with Dongguk University Graduate School of Law to support SME M&A and business succession. The partnership involves the university's M&A master's program and executive programs to provide members with legal and strategic M&A support.
• TuringBio (튜링바이오)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 March 2025Mental healthcare company (TuringBio) contacted the association to offer its 'WeeDool EAP' employee assistance program — a comprehensive mental healthcare solution — to association members as a promotional partnership, including psychological assessments and mental care programs.
• Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission (국민권익위원회)coreOthersThe association operates under the regulatory oversight and partnership framework of the ACRC as a public-benefit organization. It is listed among ACRC-partnered organizations.
• Small and Medium Business Administration (중소벤처기업부)coreOthersThe SBA is a key government partner providing the policy framework within which the association operates its SME support programs.
• National Tax Service (국세청)coreOthersThe association works with the NTS on tax benefit programs including venture certification (which provides 50% corporate tax reduction) and designated donation recipient status.
• Korea University of Science and Technology (한국공학대학교)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner institution. The association collaborates with TU-Korea on academic programs and member development initiatives.
• Konkuk University (건국대학교)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner institution collaborating on academic and research initiatives for SME members.
• Korea Invention Promotion Association (한국발명진흥회, KIPO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner for intellectual property support programs. KIPO supports the association's patent filing cost voucher (바우처 지원) programs for SMEs.
• E-Chon Accounting Corporation (이촌회계법인)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAccounting firm partner providing financial advisory and compliance services to association members.
• YK Law (법무법인 와이케이)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal services partner offering member companies access to corporate legal advisory including M&A and business succession support.
• P&K International Patent & Law Office (피앤케이국제 특허법률사무소)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPatent law firm partner providing intellectual property registration and management services for member companies.
• RPM Patent Group (특허법인 RPM)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPatent attorney firm partner supporting the association's intellectual property support programs.
• KONEX (코넥스협회)minorOthersListed partner institution supporting the association's listing and capital market programs for SMEs.
• Yonsei University (연세대학교)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner university collaborating on academic programs and member development.
• Kyung Hee University (경희대학교)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner university collaborating on academic programs and member development.
• Sungkyunkwan University (성균관대학교)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner university collaborating on academic programs and member development.
• DAAA (대한행정사회)minorOthersKorean administrative society partner listed among institutional partners.
• HMMS Accounting Tax Firm (세무법인 샘밀)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTax accounting firm partner providing tax advisory services to member companies.
• The JS Law (법무법인 더정성)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLaw firm partner providing legal services to member companies.
• Korea e-Learning HRD Center (한국이러닝인재개발원)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining partner hosting association events and the Business Manager Coach certification training programs. Used as the venue for general meetings and new director appointment ceremonies.
• Corebiz Ventures (주식회사 코어비즈벤처스)coreTechnology or IntegrationThe association outsources member signup and support management system operations and maintenance to Corebiz Ventures (주식회사 코어비즈벤처스) as per its privacy policy disclosure. This is a critical technology infrastructure partnership.
• Suwon City Corporation (수원도시공사)minorOthersRegional government-affiliated corporation partner listed among institutional partners.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA): Large state-run agency supporting Korean companies (especially SMEs) in international trade, investment, and global market entry. Comparable as an SME enablement body but operating at national scope and on trade-focused mandates rather than domestic SME capacity building.
• Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI): Largest business membership organization in Korea representing companies of all sizes. Comparable as a Korean business association with member services, training, and policy advocacy, but with much broader membership scope beyond SMEs.

Emerging players

• Korea Invention Promotion Association (KIPA): KIPO-affiliated association supporting Korean inventors and SMEs on patent filing and IP strategy. Directly comparable on the IP/patent voucher support program, where the subject association partners with KIPA.
• Dongguk University M&A Center (Dongguk Law School): Academic M&A and business succession program partnered with the subject association since 2026. Comparable as an adjacent M&A advisory/training provider serving the SME succession and M&A support segment.

Regional players

• SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives): US-based nonprofit providing free mentoring and education to small businesses. Conceptually comparable as an SME mentoring and training association, but operating in a different geography with a volunteer-driven model.
• Federation of Small Businesses (FSB): UK membership association providing services, advice, and lobbying for small businesses. Comparable as a paid-membership SME association offering training and consulting benefits, but operating exclusively in the UK.

Direct peers

• Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business (KBIZ): National peak SME association in Korea representing and supporting member SMEs through policy advocacy, training, and consulting. Directly comparable as a membership-based SME association with overlapping member services and policy influence.
• Korea Venture Business Association: Korean association representing venture businesses and supporting venture certification processes. Highly comparable for venture certification and SME investment support programs that overlap directly with the subject association's offerings.
• Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME): Government-backed agency providing SME and startup support, policy financing, and export assistance. Directly comparable as a Korean SME support body offering overlapping IP, venture, and management programs but at far greater scale and with direct policy mandate.

Others

• KONEX Association (Korea New Exchange): Industry association supporting KONEX-listed SMEs and capital market access. Comparable as an SME listing/capital-market support partner referenced in the subject association's IR day and IPO support programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/ceo_maxvalue
• Facebookfacebook.com/ceomaxvalue

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Korea Small and Medium Business Development Association