KERN ID

Kernel's entity database is anchored on a unique, persistent ID that covers every entity of every kind.

The Kernel Entity Reference Number (KERN) is a proprietary 10-digit numerical ID that uniquely and persistently identifies every entity worldwide, including businesses, government institutions, and non-legal entities such as establishments and brands.

The KERN ID uses five independent dimensions to ensure granularity and a reasoning-based matching process, which doesn't take the input data in the CRM for granted, but first seeks to establish consistency - the same way that a human would if they looked at the record.

Components of the KERN ID

To assign a KERN ID to a record in our customer’s CRM, Kernel assigns the following data points:

• Legal name (e.g., MOMENTUM AI LTD)

• Country of incorporation (UK)

• Trading name (Kernel)

• Identity type (Legal)

• Trading country (UK)

• Entity category & sub-category

The country of incorporation is important because legal names are not globally unique, but they are locally unique.

The identity type differentiates between legal entities and non-legal entities. A non-legal entity is an entity that operates within a proper legal entity, such as a business unit or brand (Jell-O) or an establishment (Lloyds Bank - London Bridge branch).

The trading country is used to differentiate between brands/divisions/teams in different countries.

The core fields are hashed together to produce a unique key, which is then translated into a unique 10-digit numerical ID, which is the KERN ID.

Based on the established entity, Kernel also provides a canonical website where appropriate.

Limitations

Every KERN ID must be tied to a legal entity. Kernel also captures sub-legal entities (e.g., branches, sites, brands, hotels, plants, divisions) that lack their own registration number but can still be isolated as distinct entities worthy of consideration. However, each is still linked to its closest parent legal entity.

Records with no legal entity association, such as a blogger operating as 'Charlie's AI blog' with a personal email, would not receive a KERN ID.