Kakao (035720.KS) will help small business owners selling on its Kakao Shopping TalkDeal service strengthen their online competitiveness through a partnership with government agencies and a nonprofit group.
Kakao said on the 28th that it is running the "2026 Kakao Shopping Added Value" program with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency and UD Impact. The project is part of the ministry and agency's "2026 Small Business Platform Collaboration Training," and targets small business owners among TalkDeal sellers that have a sales track record. Companies wishing to take part can apply through the Small Business 24 portal until the 7th of next month.
The program is a step-by-step development course designed to raise TalkDeal sellers' ability to use the platform and to lift their revenue.
Kakao accepted applications from July 13 to Aug. 10 and selected 143 participants for the first cohort. Starting with an orientation on the 19th, it is holding six practical training sessions through September, led by outside instructors and Kakao employees. The second cohort, which is being recruited until the 7th of next month, will receive the same six offline training sessions from October through November.
After completing the basic course, top sellers will be chosen from the first and second cohorts for a second stage of intensive growth support. They will receive one-on-one consulting and networking opportunities, along with marketing benefits such as funds to run TalkDeal Big Card and catalog advertising.
Kakao said it plans to use the program to identify small business stores and brands with high growth potential and to provide comprehensive support so they can establish themselves in the online market.
An official at Kakao Commerce said, "We did not stop at teaching platform operating know-how, but also prepared practical benefits so that sellers can apply what they learn directly to their businesses." The official added, "We will spare no support so that small business owners can build competitiveness and keep growing based on TalkDeal."
