The Korea Federation of SMEs is accepting applications for the 2026 “Large-Small Business Win-Win AX Leading Model Project.”

The program run with LG CNS and Megazone to support AI adoption by South Korean small and medium-sized manufacturers. First-round applications are due by June 30.

Selected manufacturers can receive up to 12 unit months of support for data collection systems, AI model deployment, cloud adoption, and hardware such as automated guided vehicles and autonomous mobile robots.

Project budgets can reach 3 billion won (US$1.95 million), with the government and participating large companies covering up to 60%, or 1.8 billion won (US$1.17 million).

LG CNS plans to help manufacturers organize factory data and turn skilled workers’ know-how into digital assets.

Megazone, a South Korean cloud and digital transformation company, plans to provide AI tools for predictive maintenance, inspection automation, and collaborative robot deployment.

The call comes as South Korea has promoted smart factories for SMEs, including a goal of 2,000 new AI-powered smart factories by 2030. Government-backed sites have reported 25% productivity gains and a 27% drop in defects.

🔗 Source: Chosun Daily

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