For the first time, technology-based small and medium-sized enterprises have been included in the scope of tiered cultivation for high-quality SMEs.

Release Date:

2026-01-20 09:19

Source:

Recently, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the latest revised "Administrative Measures for the Tiered Cultivation of High-Quality Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises" (hereinafter referred to as the "Measures"), which have expanded the scope of cultivation by including technology-based SMEs in the tiered cultivation system for the first time. In the future, the tiered system for high-quality SMEs will encompass technology- and innovation-driven SMEs, specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative SMEs, and "Little Giant" enterprises that are specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative. The "Measures" will take effect from April 1, 2026.

Data shows that since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan, the country has cumulatively cultivated 17,600 specialized, sophisticated, and innovative “Little Giant” enterprises, driving the development of over 140,000 specialized, sophisticated, and innovative SMEs and more than 600,000 technology- and innovation-driven SMEs. A basic tiered cultivation system for high-quality SMEs has now taken shape.

A relevant official from the Small and Medium Enterprises Bureau of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology stated that organizing the revision and formulation of the “Measures” will promote the enhancement of cultivation standards, optimization of processes, standardization of management, and coordination of services, thereby continuously strengthening the “golden brand” of specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative enterprises.

The Measures further expand the scope of cultivation by including technology-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into the tiered cultivation system for high-quality SMEs. Together with innovative SMEs, these enterprises form the foundational strength of high-quality SMEs and are collectively referred to as technology- and innovation-oriented SMEs. In addition, the Measures introduce a proactive discovery mechanism that fully leverages data from industrial chains, supply chains, equity investments, intellectual property rights, science and technology awards, and talent attraction and development efforts to regularly identify potential high-quality SMEs and invite them specifically to participate in the certification process—without lowering the certification standards.

In terms of optimizing the recognition criteria, the Measures appropriately raise the threshold requirements by moderately increasing the standards for business revenue, R&D investment, and intellectual property rights, taking into account the overall development status of enterprises. For instance, with regard to specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative “Little Giant” enterprises, the business revenue threshold is raised to over 50 million yuan, the total R&D expenditure over the past two years is increased to no less than 12 million yuan, and the number of Class I intellectual property rights is raised to more than four.

In addition, the Measures further strengthen process management. Specifically, they standardize local review procedures and promote the implementation of a “dual-random” review mechanism (randomly selecting experts to form multiple expert panels and immediately assigning review tasks on a random basis). The Measures also stipulate that each expert panel must include a certain number of industry experts and financial experts. To enhance inclusivity, the Measures further clarify the specific circumstances under which direct cancellation of recognition may occur. Moreover, enterprises that have completed credit restoration and been removed from the list of seriously untrustworthy entities after having their recognition revoked, as well as enterprises that have carried out rectifications in accordance with industry regulatory requirements and obtained approval from the relevant authorities, will be exempted from the restriction prohibiting them from reapplying for recognition within three years.

The Measures also guide SME authorities at all levels to make coordinated and effective use of supportive policies covering finance, taxation, finance, technology, industry, and talent. Based on the different positioning and characteristics of enterprises, they will provide tailored and tiered nurturing services, and promote the implementation of enterprise-benefiting policies that are “automatically accessible without application and delivered swiftly and directly.”

The aforementioned official stated that the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will continue to work closely with various departments and local authorities to further optimize and improve the cultivation, services, and management of high-quality small and medium-sized enterprises, thereby supporting SMEs in achieving new strides in their specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative development.

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