[E-Daily Reporter Yun Junghoon ] Energy IT platform company Enlighten is accelerating its initial public offering (IPO) process after successfully clearing the first hurdle toward a technology-based special listing on KOSDAQ.

Enlighten announced on the 8th that it had received an “A” grade in the preliminary technology evaluation required for a KOSDAQ special technology listing.

The preliminary technical evaluation is a procedure to objectively assess a company’s technological capabilities and business viability prior to the main evaluation required for a technology-based special listing. This evaluation was conducted with a level of rigor comparable to the main evaluation, with the participation of Seoul Information Service (SCI), a specialized evaluation agency. By receiving an ‘A’ grade in this preliminary evaluation, Enlighten has significantly increased its chances of passing the upcoming main evaluation.

In this evaluation, Enlighten received high marks for the advanced IT infrastructure and big data analytics capabilities of “Power King,” its asset management platform that integrates the management of approximately 30,000 solar power plants nationwide. In particular, its Virtual Power Plant (VPP) capabilities—which optimize power trading based on artificial intelligence (AI)-driven prediction and control technologies to contribute to grid stability—earned high marks in the innovation category.

Enlighten is demonstrating not only its technological capabilities but also its tangible business performance and financial soundness. To date, the company has constructed a total of 96 megawatts (MW) of solar power facilities, including rooftop, parking lot, and ground-mounted systems. Among these, it has developed and is currently operating approximately 290 rooftop solar sites (totaling 74 MW). Earlier this year, Enlighten secured an additional growth engine by attracting 30 billion won in investment to expand its rooftop solar business.

Its business-to-business (B2B) track record with major domestic conglomerates is also becoming evident. The company has signed direct PPAs (power purchase agreements) with #HyundaiMotor (20 MW) and #KT&G Corporation (5 MW), respectively, and through a third-party PPA with Naver, it is supplying 15% of the power demand for Naver’s second headquarters with renewable energy.

These solid business results have directly translated into financial performance. Enlighten achieved consolidated revenue of 48.5 billion won last year and posted profits in both operating income and net income. Recently, the company received an “unqualified” audit opinion from its external auditor, completing the establishment of the financial governance required for an IPO.

Lee Young-ho, CEO of Enlighten, stated, “Receiving an ‘A’ grade in this preliminary technical evaluation is official recognition of the value of the energy data and IT capabilities that Enlighten has steadily accumulated,” adding, “Based on this result, we will achieve a favorable outcome in the upcoming main technical evaluation and successfully go public in 2027.”

Founded in 2016, Enlighten is a company that provides integrated energy solutions—including power plant construction, operation, and electricity trading—through its “Power King” platform.

Just as Octopus Energy, the UK’s largest energy supplier, has revolutionized the global energy market with its AI platform “Kraken,” Enlighten is also integrating distributed resources scattered across the country into a Virtual Power Plant (VPP). The company plans to emerge as a key AI infrastructure provider that efficiently supplies eco-friendly electricity to AI data centers, which consume massive amounts of power.