Kakao to fund research on platform impact for creators, small businesses

Kakao is launching its second annual research support program, focusing this year on how digital platforms contribute to the economic growth of creators and small business owners. The company will provide 20 million won in research funding for selected projects, aiming to foster academic analysis of platform impacts.

The "2026 Digital Platform Innovation Research Support" initiative invites proposals from researchers in fields such as management, economics, social sciences, and engineering. This year's theme, "Economic Growth of Business Partners," broadens the scope from last year's focus on how Kakao services affected users' daily lives. The program will examine Kakao's main platforms, including Kakao Pay, Kakao Mobility, and Kakao Entertainment.

This initiative comes amid ongoing discussions about the responsibilities and mutual growth between platform companies and their partners. By engaging external researchers, Kakao seeks an objective analysis of its platforms' effects and limitations on partner success. Researchers with published work in accredited domestic or international journals are eligible to apply.

Applications are open throughout next month, with submissions accepted via email. A committee of Kakao representatives and external academic experts will evaluate proposals based on originality, relevance, methodology, and expected contributions. The research period runs from October to January, with findings to be presented at a Kakao event in the first half of 2025. Kwon Dae-yeol, Kakao CA Council's Head of ESG, stated, "Following last year's focus on user daily innovation, we aim to examine this year how digital platforms contribute to the economic growth of our business partners."

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Following last year's focus on user daily innovation, we aim to examine this year how digital platforms contribute to the economic growth of our business partners.