GIST Business Incubator receives the best rating from the SMBA

□ The Business Incubator at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST • President Seung Hyeon Moon) received the best grade (S) in performance by the Small and Medium Business Association (SMBA). The yearly evaluation of business start-up programs by the SMBA is conducted at about 260 business centers across the country. The evaluation considers the overall performance of the center as well as the support it provides to various companies.

□ The GIST Business Incubator operates a variety of programs, such as a vitamin prescription program, networking lunches, and an individual technical guidance program, which provides tailored support programs to assist technology entrepreneurs. Based on achievements such as these, the GIST Business Incubator, which was established in 2000, had received a total of 13 awards by 2016.

□ Furthermore, as a regional business support center, the GIST Business Incubator also offers various business start-up support programs, such as customized start-up business support project, and helps students develop entrepreneurial skills and business start-ups. In 2017, the GIST Business Incubator was selected to build a business-cycle support system to overcome various problems, such as overcoming early business failures caused by poor planning, management, or lack of resources.

□ In addition to running TIPS * and assisting with investment and funding sources, the GIST Business Incubator host a large-scale network forum for start-ups, CEOs, GIST Related CEOs, and Campus CEOs every November. The GIST CEO Forum.

* TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startups): A program that focuses on selecting and establishing a start-up team that has promising technology with the potential to capitalize on world markets.

□ GIST Business Incubator Director Seung-Keun Ki said, "We will contribute to the revitalization of the local economy and the creation of jobs by establishing new companies that will lead the fourth industrial revolution through continuous exploration and intensive development of excellent technology start-up businesses."