The Seoul Business Agency (SBA) announced on May 8 that it is recruiting about 100 new companies for the Hi-Seoul Company certification, a rigorous program aimed at identifying small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with outstanding growth potential. This certification provides a recognized mark of quality and is integral for businesses looking to enhance their market positioning and attract investment.

The Hi-Seoul Company certification program is designed to highlight SMEs with excellent growth, profitability, stability, and productivity. Selected companies will receive several benefits, including a certificate and plaque signed by the Mayor of Seoul, authorization to use the Hi-Seoul Company certification mark, access to B2B support projects, networking programs, and support for global market expansion. These opportunities can significantly enhance operational efficiencies and foster collaborative partnerships, thereby driving revenue growth.

Interestingly, the Hi-Seoul Company initiative started in 2004 with just 11 companies and has now grown to encompass 1,161 entities. Last year, these companies generated a total revenue of ₩17.1 trillion, with the average revenue per company at ₩14.7 billion, indicating robust economic contributions while employing over 61,000 individuals. Such figures underline the initiative's potential impact on job creation and economic resilience.

The program also promotes B2B support projects and regular networking to facilitate successful business collaborations. Facing rising global uncertainties, the SBA is proactively helping enterprises diversify their export markets, having successfully hosted business consultations in emerging markets like Indonesia, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. This approach not only identifies value-driven partnerships but also strengthens the global competitiveness of certified companies.

Notably, approximately half of all certified Hi-Seoul Companies, which corresponds to 602 entities, have reached into 119 countries and achieved an impressive annual export volume of ₩3.6 trillion. This statistic underscores the credibility and business viability of the Hi-Seoul Company certification framework, especially in demonstrating global competitiveness amidst economic uncertainties.

This year, the SBA plans to further strengthen the global scaling of Hi-Seoul Companies, focusing on the Americas and the Global South. The recruitment for the 2026 Hi-Seoul Company certification will remain open until May 8, inviting applications from all businesses located in Seoul, which is vital for local economic development and global outreach.

Kim Hyun-woo, CEO of the Seoul Business Agency, affirmed, “Hi-Seoul Companies are recognized as outstanding SMEs by the city of Seoul. We will spare no effort in providing comprehensive support to ensure that Hi-Seoul Companies gain strong trust in domestic and foreign markets and grow into leading enterprises globally.” This commitment signals a continued investment in the ecosystem of Seoul's SMEs, reinforcing their strategic importance within the local and global marketplace.