[Edaily Reporter Kim Hyun-ah ] Kakao(035720)is seeking 100 business teams that have grown their businesses using the Kakao Business platform. Participation is open to all businesses regardless of industry or size, and winning teams will receive benefits totaling 500 million won.

Kakao announced on the 17th that it will host the “2026 Kakao Business Best Awards.” The application period runs through October 14.

Any business that has experienced growth or expanded new possibilities this year by utilizing the Kakao Business platform is eligible to participate. The Daesang is open to case studies that utilize various Kakao Business services and tools, including Kakao Ads, KakaoTalk Channels, Kakao Shopping, KakaoTalk Booking and Store Management, and Developers.

100 Teams to Be Selected… Benefits Worth 500 Million Won

This year, the number of award categories has been expanded to 10, and a total of 100 businesses will be selected. Grand Prize and Excellence Awards will be presented in each category, and among these, three teams with outstanding case studies will receive the Daesang.

Winning teams will receive advertising credits and KakaoTalk Gift vouchers worth a total of 500 million won, distributed on a tiered basis. Some winning teams will also receive additional benefits, such as exposure on TalkDeal and Kakao Shopping Live, as well as one-on-one consulting through TalkStore. They will also be given the opportunity to speak at Kakao Business seminars.

This year, the judging will focus on service utilization strategies and performance in specific areas rather than business type. The awards have been subdivided into 10 categories, including “Local Impact,” “Performance Leader,” and “Rising Seller.”

Entries are accepted even if they do not demonstrate comprehensive use of multiple Kakao Business services. Cases that effectively utilized a specific business tool or achieved results in individual areas—such as expanding customer touchpoints, improving marketing efficiency, or driving sales growth—are also eligible.

Kakao will accept applications until October 14, conduct the evaluation, and announce the winning teams on November 4. The awards ceremony will be held on December 14.

Hwang Jun-yeon, Domain Leader at Kakao Business, stated, “This year, we have subdivided the award categories to better highlight each business’s unique characteristics and achievements,” adding, “We will continue to provide practical support as a platform that helps our partners grow their businesses.”