The South Korean venture capital market has grown into a major international center for high-growth technology start-ups, with a vibrant ecosystem of venture capital and other investors supporting promising start-ups with the potential to scale from just a few people to high growth companies across multiple regions, and even become global giants.
Top 10 Venture Capital Firms in South Korea
1. Korea Investment Partners
Korea Investment Partners (KIP) is a leading venture capital & private equity firm that has over 30 years of experience in providing venture capital to bold and innovative entrepreneurs who want to change the world. Korea Investment Partners invests in leading pioneers like Kakao(KOSDAQ:035720), Naver(KRX:035420), YG Entertainment(KOSDAQ:122870), Bodyfriend, Osstem Implant(KOSDAQ:048260), Doubleu Games(KOSDAQ:192080) and Didi Chuxing. KIP manages over 20 venture and private equity funds with US$1.8 billion in total assets under management. The company operates globally from its Seoul headquarters office with other locations in Shanghai, Beijing, and Sunnyvale.
Website: www.kipvc.com
Founded: 1986
Top Industries active in: Biotechnology, Health Care and Medical.
Number of Investments: 178
Exits: 21
Korea Investment Partners's most notable exits include Simplex, GlowRoad, and Kakao Corp.
2. Softbank Ventures Asia
SoftBank Ventures Asia is the corporate venture capital arm of SoftBank Group. The firm prefers to invest in the Information technology, smart robotics industry artificial intelligence, internet of things and Information, communication, and technology sectors. It is based in Seoul, Korea, and was founded in 2000.
Website: www.softbank.co
Founded: 2000
Top Industries active in: Mobile, Software and Machine learning.
Number of Investments: 177
Exits: 22
Softbank Ventures Asia's most notable exits include RedMart, Innoviz Technologies, and Korbit.
3. Kakao Ventures
Kakao Ventures Corp. is an independent subsidiary of Kakao Corp. & the most active, startup-friendly early stage VC of Korea.
Website: www.kakao.vc
Founded: 2012
Top Industries active in: Software, Gaming and Internet.
Number of Investments: 164
Exits: 8
Kakao Ventures's most notable exits include Dable, Red Sahara Studio, and Sugarhill.
4. Hashed
To empower networks and innovators in building the decentralized future. Hashed, based in San Francisco and Seoul, is the largest crypto assets fund and community builder in South Korea. The team was founded by serial entrepreneurs, company operators, and systems engineers, who are passionate about enabling the global adoption of blockchain through education, acceleration and impact investments. Hashed operates Hashed Lounge--a premier blockchain meetup group; Hashed Post--a cryptocurrency blog interviewing founders and thought leaders; and Hashed Night--a world-class conference, events, and networking brand. The team is actively working towards a definition of what it means to be a fundamental technology and founder-focused investment startup in the blockchain ecosystem.
Website: www.hashed.com
Founded: 2017
Top Industries active in: Block Chain, Apps and Casual Games.
Number of Investments: 138
Exits: 2
Hashed's most notable exits include Animoca Brands and Loco.
5. Mirae Asset Venture Investment
A fundamental investment philosophy of ‘Building on principles’ guides us at Mirae Asset. Over the years, these principles have enabled us to become Asia’s premier financial group and created new trends in the Asian capital market. Above all, we put our clients’ interests first, always adhering to high ethical standards. Because our success clearly comes from their success, we use fundamental investment principles to identify opportunities that generate value and lasting profits. We are strong believers in teamwork and are determined to recruit the best and brightest people as we open new horizons in Asia and expand globally. Just as we strive to continually improve our own performance, Mirae Asset is committed to helping every community it joins. On behalf of the entire Mirae Asset Financial Group, I would like to convey the sense of responsibility your trust in us merits and pledge to do all that we can to exceed your expectations.
Website: www.venture.miraeasset.com
Founded: 1999
Top Industries active in: Health Care, Pharmaceutical and Biopharma.
Number of Investments: 110
Exits: 9
Mirae Asset Venture Investment's most notable exits include Animoca Brands, Zomato, and Evofem Biosciences.
6. BonAngels Venture Partners
BonAngels Venture Partners provides early-stage startups (seed ~ pre-series A) with initial investment and operational support.
Website: www.bonangels.net
Founded: 2007
Top Industries active in: Apps, Software and E-Commerce.
Number of Investments: 109
Exits: 9
BonAngels Venture Partners's most notable exits include Woowa Bros, Delivery Hero, and DAILYHOTEL.
7. KB Investment
Founded in 1990, KB Investment Co., Ltd. (KBIC) is one of Korea’s leading investment firms of venture capital and private equity funds with over USD 1.4 Billion of asset under management as of December 2013. KBIC is a subsidiary of KB Financial Group, Korea’s premier financial group with the largest domestic customer base as well as the widest network of Service branches in Korea. KBIC’s team is recognized for industry thought leadership, a broad network of powerful industry relationships, and a unique professional investment approach to investing. KBIC passionately support our portfolio companies with active guidance in all key aspects of team building, strategy, operations and governance
Website: www.kbic.co.kr
Founded: 1990
Top Industries active in: Software, FinTech and Health Care.
Number of Investments: 84
Exits: 6
KB Investment's most notable exits include Senti Biosciences, Socar, and Dable.
8. Korea Development Bank
The Korea Development Bank (KDB) provides long-term financing for projects designed to assist Koreaâ€:tm:s economic growth and development. It offers equipment capital loans and working capital loans to Korean private enterprises that undertake major industrial projects. The bank also extends guarantees to its clients to facilitate their other borrowings and to finance major industrial projects. KDB guarantees Won-denominated corporate debentures, local currency loans, and other Won liabilities and foreign currency loans from domestic and overseas Korean financial institutions and from foreign institutions. The bankâ€:tm:s other activities include engagement in a range of industrial development activities, including conducting economic and industrial research; performing engineering surveys; providing business analyses and managerial assistance; and offering trust Services. As of June 30, 2007, KDB had 40 local branches, 6 overseas branches, and 2 overseas offices. The bank was founded in 1954 and is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.
Website: www.kdb.co.kr
Founded: 1954
Top Industries active in: Machine learning, Software and Artificial intelligence.
Number of Investments: 56
Exits: 1
9. Atinum Investment
Atinum Investment Co., Ltd. is a principal investment firm specializing in investments in the Information Technology and communication, materials for Information technology, renewable energy, metal and non-metal, distribution, media and contents, materials and components, and biotechnology and life science industries
Website: www.atinuminvest.co
Founded: 1988
Top Industries active in: Software, Health Care and Biotechnology.
Number of Investments: 55
Exits: 3
Atinum Investment's most notable exits include Berkeley Lights, Flitto, and Devsisters.
10. DSC Investment
DSC Investments invests in early stage and growth companies in the field of corporate identify and focus, IT, software, biotechnology, machinery, and future high-growth areas such as environment and resources.
Website: www.dscinvestment.com
Founded: 2012
Top Industries active in: Biotechnology, Health Care and Software.
Number of Investments: 54
Exits: 4
DSC Investment's most notable exits include Dable, Eloxx, and Flitto
