What Changed — From One Track to Three Revenue Tiers
On October 15, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced that, starting in 2027, the Jump-Up Program, which helps SMEs grow into mid-sized enterprises, will be split into three tracks by revenue:
Annual selection will grow from 100 firms to 220 (100 in Jump-Up 100, 100 in Jump-Up 500, 20 in Jump-Up 1000). The government aims to develop 1,500 "leap-stage companies" by 2030. Press reports put the vouchers at up to KRW 600 million, KRW 840 million, and KRW 1.5 billion by track, up from a previous maximum of KRW 750 million. Check the official notice to see whether these figures are annual caps or three-year totals.
The previous round, the program's first, drew 620 applicants, who went through about three months of two-stage evaluation. Even with more slots, you should expect strong competition.
Eligibility — Seven Years in Business, Revenue Threshold Met Once in Three Years
All three tracks require an SME that has been in business for at least seven years and that met the track's revenue threshold at least once in 2023–2025, based on standard financial statements.
For companies near a threshold, choosing a track is the main strategic call. A firm with KRW 105 billion in 2024 revenue qualifies for Jump-Up 1000, but that track takes only 20 firms. Weigh the larger voucher in the higher track against better odds in the lower one, which takes 100 firms. Also check the notice for whether you can apply to more than one track.
If your company is close to outgrowing SME status, first work out how the grace period and your expected reclassification as a mid-sized enterprise overlap with the three-year support period.
Support Structure — A Policy Package, Not Just a Voucher
Plan up front how the voucher will be spread across consulting, certification, marketing, and technical support over a three-year roadmap.
What Evaluators Look For in Each Track
Jump-Up 100
Whether your financial, HR, and quality systems are keeping up with your growth. ISO certification, an ERP rollout, and organizational assessments serve as evidence.
Jump-Up 500
How concrete the new business or market is. Present the target market, revenue projections, required investment, and synergies with your existing business in numbers.
Jump-Up 1000
Whether your global expansion can actually be carried out: overseas bases, local partners, and M&A candidates.
All Tracks
Show growth potential through a three-year financial trend and KPIs for the new business.
Checklist Before the November 13 Deadline
Fewer than three weeks remain. Start with these items:
Prepare with KITIM
KITIM supports the whole process: checking revenue and business-age eligibility, choosing a track, structuring the new-business plan, designing the three-year voucher roadmap, and strengthening management foundations such as ISO certification and HR systems. With the deadline close, contact us now and we will quickly identify the right track and your preparation priorities.