TIPA
TIPA (중소기업기술정보진흥원) is a Korean government public institution under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups that operates interoperable R&D, smart factory, and SME support platforms (SMTECH, 중소벤처24) to administer funding, technology commercialization, and innovation programs for Korean SMEs.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersSejung, South Korea
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What TIPA does
TIPA (중소기업기술정보진흥원) is a South Korean public institution established in 2002 to support R&D, technology innovation, and smart factory adoption for Korean small and medium enterprises. Operating under the supervision of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (중소벤처기업부), TIPA is headquartered in Sejong Special Self-Governing Province and maintains three additional offices: a Seoul metropolitan office (수도권평가실), the BRIDGE Technology Innovation Center in Seongnam, and the TIPS Town S5 startup complex in Seoul. As a government-funded entity (공공기관), TIPA functions simultaneously as a regulatory implementer, program operator, and digital platform provider for the national SME support infrastructure.
TIPA's core technology consists of three interoperable platforms: (1) the 중소기업 기술개발사업 종합관리시스템 (SMTECH), a national R&D project lifecycle system handling application, agreement, execution, evaluation, and settlement for SME R&D projects; (2) the 스마트공장 사업관리시스템 (Smart Factory Management System) supporting manufacturing digitalization programs; and (3) 중소벤처24, a unified 24/7 SME service portal integrating cloud systems and member registration across government support programs. These platforms integrate with national R&D information systems (NTIS via KISTI), research institution data linkage (IRIS), research expenditure management (RCMS), and government procurement (나라장터/G2B). Alongside its platforms, TIPA operates a portfolio of programs: TIPS (창업성장기술개발사업) general and deep-tech tracks for startup R&D funding, Scale-up TIPS for high-growth SMEs, Deep Tech Challenge Projects, Global TIPS for North American and European market access, smart factory adoption subsidies, regional innovation growth programs coordinated through 14+ regional Techno Parks, and innovative product designation for export promotion.
TIPA's business model is entirely government-funded; services to SMEs are provided at no cost and TIPA does not publish revenue. Funding flows from the Korean national budget through the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, disbursed as R&D grants, smart factory adoption subsidies, and program administration allocations. Distribution combines direct platform access (SMTECH, Smart Factory portal, 중소벤처24), regional Techno Park partnerships nationwide, physical office service delivery, and the 1357 government call center. Recent strategic emphasis areas include accelerating AI commercialization in manufacturing SMEs (37 tasks selected from 158 applicants in 2025), building Asset Administration Shell-based manufacturing data standards, expanding international cooperation (Korea-Australia quantum R&D forum, Vietnam smart factory demonstration center planning), and upgrading compliance credentials (Personal Information Protection Grade A in 2024, ISO/IEC 27001).
TIPA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- TIPA
- Legal name
- 중소기업기술정보진흥원
- Website
- https://tipa.or.kr
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- TIPA (중소기업기술정보진흥원) is a Korean government public institution under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups that operates interoperable R&D, smart factory, and SME support platforms (SMTECH, 중소벤처24) to administer funding, technology commercialization, and innovation programs for Korean SMEs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
TIPA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public SME R&D and Technology Innovation Support Services
- NAICS
- International Affairs (92812), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), International Affairs (9721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- SME & Entrepreneurship Development (Trade-Linked) (BPADAMAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Program & Project Implementation (TA Delivery) (BPADAEAA), Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance (BPADAEAL), Technical Assistance, Policy Lending & Capacity Building Programs (BPADACAN)
Keywords
Where TIPA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sejung
- HQ country
- South Korea
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices4 records
Markets served
TIPA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
TIPA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
TIPA is a Korean government-affiliated public institution that delivers SME support programs through managed digital platforms and funding schemes. Its core services include R&D project funding and lifecycle management (via SMTECH), smart factory adoption and digital transformation support (via the Smart Factory Management System), and an integrated SME support portal (중소벤처24) connecting Korean SMEs with government programs, technology consulting, startup incubation (TIPS), scale-up support, deep-tech challenge projects, regional innovation programs, and global R&D cooperation partnerships.
Product overview
TIPA (중소기업기술정보진흥원) operates as a platform-plus-programs organization providing comprehensive SME support through interconnected digital platforms and specialized R&D/innovation programs. The core platforms include: (1) SMTECH (중소기업 기술개발사업 종합관리시스템) for R&D project lifecycle management, (2) 스마트공장 사업관리시스템 for smart factory adoption, and (3)中小벤처24 for unified SME portal services. These platforms share data and member information across systems. TIPA's program portfolio spans technology development funding (TIPS for startups and scale-ups), smart factory adoption, regional innovation, and global cooperation—organized under divisions like 기술혁신기획본부, R&D사업본부, 팁스사업본부, and 지역혁신성장본부. The organization also maintains the BRIDGE innovation center and 팁스타운 S5 facility for hands-on support.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SMTECH (중소기업 기술개발사업 종합관리시스템, SME Technology Development Business Comprehensive Management System) Comprehensive R&D project management system for SMEs that handles project applications, agreements, execution management, evaluation, and settlement. Integrates with national R&D information systems including NTIS, IRIS, and RCMS for end-to-end R&D support across the technology development lifecycle.
- Smart Factory Management System (스마트공장 사업관리시스템) Smart factory business management system supporting SME smart factory adoption including planning, implementation, evaluation, and ongoing management of smart manufacturing initiatives and digital transformation consulting.
- 중소벤처24 (Unified SME Portal) Unified SME portal providing 24/7 access to SME support policies, programs, applications, and business management services. Integrates cloud systems and manages member registrations for various government support programs.
- BRIDGE Technology Innovation Center (중소기업기술혁신센터) Technology innovation center providing technology consulting, commercialization support, and global cooperation services for SMEs. Supports technology bridge programs between research and industry.
- 팁스타운 S5 (TIPA Town S5) Startup support complex located in Gangnam, Seoul, housing TIPA's Scale-up TIPS and Startup TIPS divisions. Provides co-working space and program facilities for startup and scale-up R&D support programs.
- TIPS (창업성장기술개발사업, Tech Incubator Program for Startup - General Track) Technology development program supporting startup growth through R&D funding, investment matching, and business development services. Operates general track and deep-tech tracks for early-stage technology companies.
- Scale-up TIPS (스케일업 팁스) Scale-up support program for promising SMEs with growth potential, providing R&D investment, matching funds, and strategic technology theme projects to accelerate growth.
- Deep Tech Challenge Project (DCP, 딥테크 챌린지 프로젝트) Deep tech challenge project supporting advanced technology development in areas like AI, quantum technology, and other cutting-edge fields through competitive project-based funding.
- Global TIPS (글로벌 팁스) Global TIPS program connecting Korean SMEs with international markets and overseas technology cooperation partners, including operations in North America and Europe.
- Smart Factory Support Business (스마트공장 지원사업) Comprehensive smart factory adoption support for SMEs including ICT convergence smart factory dissemination, equipment automation, and digital transformation consulting.
- Regional Innovation Growth Support Business (지역혁신성장지원사업) Regional innovation and growth support programs including 지역특화산업육성 (regional specialization industry cultivation), 지역혁신 선도기업 육성 (regional innovation leading company cultivation), and regional SME cultivation plans coordinated with Techno Parks across Korea.
- Global Cooperation R&D Program (글로벌협력형 R&D) International R&D cooperation program connecting Korean SMEs with overseas technology partners in North America, Europe, and Australia for joint research and technology development.
- Innovative Product Designation Business (혁신제품 지정사업) Program designating and promoting innovative products from SMEs, supporting technology advancement, export promotion, and market expansion for successfully developed technologies.
Companies that use TIPA
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
TIPA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AI capability5 records
Feature3 records
TIPA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- 한국과학기술정보통신원 (NTIS)coreProvides national R&D information management and coordination for中小企业技術開發 Support Business comprehensive management system
- 한국산업기술기획평가원 (RCMS)coreResearch and development expenditure settlement and management coordination
- 한국연구재단coreR&D expenditure settlement coordination for SME research projects
- 중소벤처기업부 (Ministry of SMEs and Startups)coreParent ministry overseeing SME policy and TIPA's institutional mandate
- 중소기업중앙회coreMOU for supporting AI commercialization for manufacturing SMEs through field-oriented cooperation
- 한국벤처투자협회coreOperates TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startups) general track - R&D startup support program management
- 한국산업기술진흥협회minorSME research personnel recruitment support program operation and project management
- 국가과학기술연구회minorSME research personnel dispatch support program operation and project management
- Various Regional Techno Parks (서울, 부산, 대구, 인천, 광주, 대전, 충북, 충남, 전북, 전남, 경기, 강원, 경남, 경북테크노파크)coreNetwork of regional technology parks supporting local SME development and regional innovation projects
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
TIPA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
TIPA social profiles
Digital presenceTIPA compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
TIPA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
TIPA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
TIPA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
TIPA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about TIPA
What does TIPA do?
TIPA is a Korean government-affiliated public institution that delivers SME support programs through managed digital platforms and funding schemes. Its core services include R&D project funding and lifecycle management (via SMTECH), smart factory adoption and digital transformation support (via the Smart Factory Management System), and an integrated SME support portal (중소벤처24) connecting Korean SMEs with government programs, technology consulting, startup incubation (TIPS), scale-up support, deep-tech challenge projects, regional innovation programs, and global R&D cooperation partnerships.
Is TIPA a public or private company?
TIPA is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was TIPA founded?
TIPA was founded in 2002.
Where is TIPA based?
TIPA is headquartered in Sejung, South Korea, in the Asia region.
Does TIPA have an API?
No public API is recorded for TIPA.
What industry is TIPA in?
TIPA's product category is Public SME R&D and Technology Innovation Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAMAE, SME & Entrepreneurship Development (Trade-Linked), with a secondary code of BPADAEAA, Program & Project Implementation (TA Delivery). Its NAICS code is 92812 and its SIC code is 8742.