Korea Technology Finance Corporation and UKF Join Hands to Foster Global Startups

Discovering Promising Korean Companies and Supporting Investment Attraction

The Korea Technology Finance Corporation announced on January 12 that it had signed a "Business Agreement for Global K-Startup Discovery, Nurturing, and Investment Linkage Cooperation" with the United Korean Founders (UKF) at the site of the "UKF 82 Startup Summit 2026," held on January 10 (local time) in California, USA.

This agreement was established as the Korea Technology Finance Corporation opened its Silicon Valley branch, aiming to strengthen connections with the U.S. startup and investment ecosystem. By collaborating with UKF, the corporation seeks to build a support system for domestic technology-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to expand globally and attract investment.

Kim Joungho, Chairman of the Korea Technology Finance Corporation (second from the left), and Lee Giha, CEO of UKF (third from the left), along with other agreement participants, are posing for a commemorative photo after signing a business agreement at the 'UKF 82 Startup Summit 2026' held on the 10th (local time) in California, USA. Korea Technology Finance Corporation

UKF is a non-profit organization with a network of about 1,500 members, including Korean entrepreneurs and investors centered in Silicon Valley. Since its establishment in 2024, it has supported Korean startups’ entry into the U.S. and their global expansion.

Under the agreement, the two organizations will collaborate in various areas, including: discovering promising domestic SMEs; supporting investment attraction by connecting with U.S. investors and accelerators; providing mentoring and information exchange in entrepreneurship, technology, business development, and investment for local companies; and co-hosting events such as seminars and forums. They plan to systematically support Korean startups’ entry into the U.S. market and strengthen cooperation to help them secure competitiveness in the global market.

Kim Joungho, Chairman of the Korea Technology Finance Corporation, stated, "This agreement is significant in that it has established a practical foundation for domestic technology companies to enter the U.S. startup and investment ecosystem more smoothly. The Korea Technology Finance Corporation will continue to expand strategic collaboration with global networks to actively support the overseas expansion of domestic SMEs."