Startups to Directly Assess: Korea Venture Business Association (KOVA) to Select Outstanding Startup Support Organizations

[Financial News] KOVA will identify public institutions and government-funded research institutes that have supported the growth of startups and contributed to the spread of startup culture. It plans to assess startup support infrastructure and performance, among other factors, and select outstanding organizations based in part on an online vote by startups.
According to the venture industry on the 27th, KOVA is holding an open call through the 11th of next month for the 2026 selection of outstanding startup support organizations in Korea.
Now in its third edition, the open call was organized to share achievements in supporting startups and spread exemplary practices.
Organizations eligible for selection are public institutions and government-funded research institutes that have contributed to promoting startup creation among venture businesses and startups, supporting the growth of startups established within the past seven years, and spreading startup culture. Agencies dedicated to startup support are excluded.
The evaluation will focus on each institution’s startup support infrastructure, support record, and activities to spread startup culture. An online vote among venture businesses and startups will also be held, and views from the startup community will be reflected in the selection process.
A KOVA representative said, "We hope this will spotlight the efforts of organizations that have achieved tangible results in the startup community and help outstanding support practices spread widely."
Last year, 12 organizations were selected, including the Science and Technology Policy Institute, Korea Technology Finance Corporation (KOTEC), Korea Credit Guarantee Fund (KODIT), Jeju Free International City Development Center, Korea International Cooperation Agency, Korea Expressway Corporation, Korea Invention Promotion Association, Korea Water Resources Corporation, Korea Food Industry Cluster Promotion Agency, Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning, Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), and Korea Institute of Marine Science and Technology Promotion.

[email protected] Lee Ju-mi Reporter