Korea's first open technology rating platform, 'K-TOP,' which includes the technology assessment capabilities accumulated over the past 30 years of the Korea Technology Finance Corporation (KOTEC), has been revealed.

On June 19, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS, Minister OH Youngju) signed an MOU to utilize K-TOP to boost the private-led technology innovation ecosystem.
K-TOP (Kibo(or KOTEC) Technology-rating Open Platform) is a system that offers graded and quantified technology evaluation information for each company through three AI-based core contents of the Korea Technology Finance Corporation for technology evaluation. This platform enables banks and related institutions to search for and access this information easily.

 

Content for technology evaluation	Content details
① KTRS-FM (Rapid Standard Model)	◦ An AI-based evaluation model optimized for early-stage startups (within 3 years) and rapid guarantee support assessment, providing technology business rating through self-assessment. * (Rating) AAA, AA, A+, A, BBB+, BBB, BB+, BB, B+, B, CCC, CC, C, D (14 in total)
②Corporate Innovation Capability Index (Tech-Index)	◦ An objective index (0-100 points) that represents the innovation capabilities of SMEs, measuring their innovation capacity and potential for future growth
③ Evaluation model for source technology	◦ An AI-based evaluation model that automatically assesses the characteristics of key technologies based solely on inputting a technology overview. It provides ratings for the source technology and information on its current standing, such as its phase in the lifecycle of technology creation, expansion, and obsolescence. * (Rating) AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC, CC, C, D (10 in total)

Through the recently unveiled K-TOP, technology evaluation information produced by the Korea Technology Finance Corporation for guarantee assessment purposes can now be utilized by companies, banks, public institutions, and others in the future.

As a result, companies can self-assess their technological capabilities and continue their innovation. Banks and investment institutions can utilize technology evaluation information when selecting and evaluating companies, which is expected to boost loans and investments in SMEs and startups. Public institutions can also enhance their operational capabilities according to their respective policy objectives.

Today's event proceeded with a demonstration of K-TOP, followed by an open proclamation and signing ceremonies. The signing ceremony involved 12 related organizations, including the Korea Technology Finance Corporation as the lead agency, as well as IBK Bank, KB Kookmin Bank, Shinhan Bank, Hana Bank, Woori Bank, Korea Venture Investment Corp., Korea Venture Capital Association, Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs, Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development, Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology, National IT Industry Promotion Agency, and Korea Invention Promotion Association.

The main contents of an MOU included discovering and supporting innovative growth of SMEs through K-TOP, opening K-TOP and collaboratively using K-TOP and fostering technology evaluation through sharing K-TOP-related data and mutual cooperation.

Minister OH Youngju stated, "Today's MOU is the first follow-up measure of a recently announced strategy for SMEs." She hoped that "K-TOP will become a crucial tool for advancing technology finance in Korea by effectively addressing the information asymmetry problem between SMEs and financial institutions."

Global Media Relations
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