Kakao will support training and mentoring to help small merchants and startups nationwide apply AI to business and marketing.

Kakao said on Sept. 18 it will operate the “Kakao Class-Practical AI Business Course” with 11 Creative Economy Innovation Centers nationwide, including the Jeju Creative Economy Innovation Center and centers in Gangwon, South Gyeongsang, Daegu, Busan, Sejong, Ulsan, South Jeolla, North Jeolla, South Chungcheong and North Chungcheong.

This year’s course is made up of four stages: level-based online training, an AI hands-on camp, one-on-one advanced mentoring and awards for top companies.

The online training consists of 10 lectures in total, including an introductory course called the “AX Starter Pack” and an advanced course called the “AX Booster Pack.” It covers AI-based target setting and marketing message development, operating KakaoTalk channels, producing content and ads and analyzing performance, Kanana AI-based consultation and message automation, and validating new businesses using AI.

The training will be provided for free from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 on a dedicated page within the Kakao Business Seminar site. Graduates will receive an AI guide and industry-specific templates.

Kakao will select 100 companies from those that complete the training by October and offer them a chance to join a one-day “AI hands-on camp” on Nov. 10 at SVC in Seoul. Participating companies will receive 300,000 won in Kakao Biz Wallet.

Among the camp participants, 20 companies will be selected for one-on-one advanced mentoring. They will also receive 500,000 won in Kakao Biz Wallet. The final five top companies will receive benefits worth a total of 13 million won, including advertising support funds, at an awards ceremony on Dec. 4 at Kakao Pangyo Agit.

Course applications will be accepted until Nov. 27.

Kakao Class is an education program Kakao and the Jeju Creative Economy Innovation Center have operated since 2016. About 7,000 local small merchants and startups participated by 2025.

A Kakao official said, “We prepared this program so that small merchants and startups nationwide who want to expand business opportunities using AI can build a practical foundation for growth.”