Smilegate Investment

Smilegate Investment, established in 1999 as MVP Capital, is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Seongnam, South Korea. The firm focuses on investing in small and mid-sized companies, primarily targeting opportunities within the Korean market. Since its inception, Smilegate Investment has successfully organized and managed over 30 funds, making investments in more than 200 companies with strong growth potential. Among its notable initiatives are various venture capital funds, including the Smilegate Culture Industry Investment Fund, the Smilegate Orange Fund, and the Smilegate Pioneer Venture Fund, all of which are aimed at supporting innovative businesses in diverse sectors.

Heung-Sun Chang

Director

Won-Jang Go

Director

Yeong-gwon Gu

Executive VP and Head of Investment Division 2

Jeong-hoon Kang

Director

Kyoung-Hwan Kim

VP

Doo-Hoon Kim

Senior Associate

Young-Kwon Ku

President

Jong Ho Lee

Managing Director

Chan-yeol Lee

Vice President and General Manager

Jong-Ho Lee

Senior Vice President

Ki-Mun Nam

CEO

Ki- moon Nam

Chief Executive Officer

Ki-Moon Nam

CEO, Partner

Hoon-Gon Nam

Senior Manager

Mun-Kyu Park

SVP

Jong-Hyuk Park

EVP, Partner

Sang-Sun Park

Vice President and General Manager

Jung In Park

Director

Jung-In Park

VP

Past deals in Eastern Asia

Pion

Series A in 2023
Pion Corporation is an Martech focused video intelligence company. We provide “Vispot”, a video creation and ad-automation platform powered by AI.

Travel Wallet

Series C in 2023
Developer of a mobile-based foreign currency platform designed to provide digital travel wallet services. The company's platform includes a currency exchange service, real-time exchange rates, an exchange rate calculator, local cash pick-up, physical card issuance, and an exchange rate graph, enabling tourists and business travelers to get fast and easy money exchange service at a competitive rate compared to retail banks.

ConnectionH

Seed Round in 2022
ConnectionH provides big data-based artificial intelligence services.

UCI Therapeutics

Seed Round in 2022
UCI Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies to address the limitations of current treatments. The company specializes in multi-target fusion CAR-NKJ cell therapies, employing a cell-based fusion approach to enhance the effectiveness of immune cell therapies in treating solid tumors. By targeting multiple pathways, UCI Therapeutics aims to improve patient outcomes in cancer treatment and overcome the challenges faced by existing drugs in the market.

Biorchestra

Series C in 2022
Developer of ribonucleic acid-based therapeutics intended to treat neurodegenerative diseases. The company's therapeutics include candidates for Alzheimer's disease, m-ribonucleic acid vaccine and drug delivery systems for ribonucleic acid candidates, enabling doctors to improve the health of humankind.

MedInTech

Series A in 2022
Mediintech develops smart endoscopes for the digestive system.

Law&Company

Series C in 2022
Law&Company is representative legal tech company in Republic of Korea. The company provides a service called 'LawTalk(www.lawtalk.co.kr)', which is the largest online legal market place in Korea(5 times bigger then the 2nd player). Since 2016, the company invested on research about Artificial Intelligence especially on Text Mining and Machine Learning technology to analyze lawyers and client's activities in the service which helps to lawyers and clients find the right person based on their experience. Also, the company will launch document automation based service to generate legal documents starting from complaint and contract soon. The company has received more than 3 million dollars from 5 venture capital companies and many angel investors due to previous performance and upside potential in the Korean legal market.

SSEM

Series A in 2022
Developer of a tax filing application designed to help sole proprietors. The company provides services to help clients to calculate and report global income tax and value-added tax easily and conveniently, enabling users to focus on their business without worrying about taxes.

Archipin

Series A in 2021
Archipin is an edtech company with online and e-learning provisions for children.

Press.A

Series A in 2021
Press.A is a game and software development company.

Fount

Series C in 2021
Fount Inc., founded in 2015 and headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, operates as an asset management Robo-Advisor company. The firm offers Bluewhale, a Robo-Advisor engine that utilizes financial engineering technology and asset allocation theories to determine the optimal combination of assets for investors. Fount employs a proprietary investing algorithm based on Big Data technology, which assists clients in planning for various life events. The company emphasizes a passive investing strategy, aligning risk levels with clients' specific time horizons and allowing advanced algorithms to manage investments efficiently.

Mathpresso, Inc.

Series C in 2021
Mathpresso, Inc. is an educational technology company based in Seoul, South Korea, established in 2015. It operates Qanda, a data-driven platform that leverages artificial intelligence and optical character recognition (OCR) technology to assist students with their studies. Users can take a photo of a question or problem, which the platform then analyzes to provide solutions and explanations. Qanda covers a wide range of subjects, including mathematics, Korean history, social studies, and science. The platform is designed to facilitate learning by allowing students to engage with tutors and access answers in real time. As of this year, Qanda has attracted over one million users in South Korea, making it a significant resource for students seeking help with homework and exam preparation.

CLASSUM

Series A in 2021
CLASSUM is an interactive learning platform for higher education. CLASSUM aims to make communication easy, simple and smart for better education. With its unique UI/UX, which is based on chatting UI and SNS features, it lowers the communication barrier between the users(students and instructors). Also with their A.I./Big-data analysis technique, CLASSUM provides users an in-depth class report which can be applied to improve their class and gain overall information about their students and the course.

Qraft Technologies

Series C in 2021
Qraft Technologies Inc., founded in 2016 and based in Seoul, South Korea, specializes in designing and developing artificial intelligence-based solutions tailored for the asset management, trading, and insurance sectors. The company focuses on maximizing productivity and enhancing marketability by leveraging data-driven insights. Initially targeting investment professionals, Qraft Technologies provides tools to identify optimal trading strategies. Its offerings are customizable and extend beyond finance to include applications in autonomous driving, insurance underwriting, and purchasing management, reflecting the company's commitment to utilizing AI across diverse business needs.

WELT

Series B in 2021
From Wristworn to Waistworn: WELT, the Smart Belt for Fashion & Healthcare WELT is a 'Smart Fashion Belt' that manages users’ wellness. We encourage users to embrace healthy habits while keeping in style. We promise to help the wearer better track food intake, keep tabs on the activity level, and manage weight. To do this, WELT keeps check on the overall health by measuring (1)Waist size, (2)Steps, (3)Sitting time, and (4)Overeating habits. To help users avoid metabolic risks factors, custom messages to manage these risks are given through the app via BLE. Also, its elegant design makes it look just like a regular, leather belt. Battery is rechargeable, and can stand up to more than 7 days.

MyRealTrip

Venture Round in 2020
MyRealTrip is leading tours&activities marketplace in South Korea. MyRealTrip is the best free travel platform in Korea where you can book flights, accommodations, tours & tickets, and special offers. Starting with guided tour service in 2012, it has been growing rapidly since it successfully launched air service in 2018. MyRealTrip is constantly striving to provide travelers with a personalized experience and provide them with a more valuable experience.

SN BioScience

Series B in 2020
SN BioScience provide nano-formulation screening services for small molecule, oligonucleotide (siRNA, DNA), peptide and protein to deliver in the form of nano-micelle, nanoparticle or liposome. Their proprietary “double core-shell technology” and pool of acceptable lipids and polymers could help your research that having difficulties in solubility or delivery.

Cochl

Series A in 2020
Cochl is a research-oriented company based in Seoul, South Korea, specializing in Machine Listening technology. Founded in 2017, the company aims to enhance audio signal processing beyond traditional speech recognition, enabling AI systems to comprehend a wide range of non-verbal sounds, such as animal noises, laughter, and alarms. This technology has applications across various sectors, including smart home devices, robotics, automotive industries, and search engines. Cochl's contributions to the field have garnered recognition, including being named a top AI startup in autonomous systems by NVIDIA and achieving accolades in the prestigious IEEE DCASE competition. The co-founders of Cochl include Donmoon Lee, Hyungui Lim, Il-young Jeong, Jeongsoo Park, Subin Lee, and Yoonchang Han.

Cytovant

Venture Round in 2020
Cytovant is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel and innovative cellular therapeutics in Asia. The company specializes in developing modified T-cell receptor therapeutics and dendritic cell vaccines that target tumor antigens to improve tumor cells therapy and treatment.

onepredict

Series B in 2019
Established in 2016, OnePredict is a leader in industrial AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology and 9 time winner of the 'Global PHM Data Challenge' for the best industrial AI based Machine Digitalization & Intelligence solutions. OnePredict provides advanced AI solutions, the GuardiOne® Series, Cells, Edge, and Cloud solutions. GuardiOne® specializes in industrial AI solutions such as bearings, turbines, wind (wind farm), transformers, robots, and motors, and is expanding to various other industries.

CLASSUM

Venture Round in 2019
CLASSUM is an interactive learning platform for higher education. CLASSUM aims to make communication easy, simple and smart for better education. With its unique UI/UX, which is based on chatting UI and SNS features, it lowers the communication barrier between the users(students and instructors). Also with their A.I./Big-data analysis technique, CLASSUM provides users an in-depth class report which can be applied to improve their class and gain overall information about their students and the course.

Coinplug

Series B in 2019
Coinplug, Inc., founded in 2013 and based in Seongnam-si, South Korea, is a blockchain development company that specializes in a range of solutions and services leveraging blockchain technology. The company operates a cryptocurrency exchange platform known as CPDAX, along with an electronic wallet service and an online point-of-sale system. Additionally, Coinplug offers Metadium, a verification platform based on blockchain, and CP Cube, a business-to-business platform that integrates blockchain and public key infrastructure technologies. Its services include SBI Cosmoney, an international remittance solution, and CP Solution, which utilizes a blockchain platform called fidoledger. With a focus on innovation, Coinplug holds over 300 blockchain patents and is actively involved in developing solutions for identity and authentication, payment processing, and asset management.

Raonsecure

Venture Round in 2019
Raonsecure Co., Ltd. is an ICT security software company based in Seoul, South Korea, specializing in security solutions for financial institutions, government entities, and enterprises. Founded in 1998 and originally named Lumensoft Ltd., the company changed its name in 2012. Raonsecure primarily offers TouchEn OnePass, a biometric authentication solution designed for various applications, including payments, mobile banking, and fintech services. The company is also engaged in ICT security consulting and holds multiple patents in integrated security technologies, focusing on human/device authentication and FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) protocols based on Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) technology. Through its innovative products and services, Raonsecure aims to enhance security measures in the digital landscape.

D&D Pharmatech

Series B in 2019
D&D Pharmatech Co., Ltd. is a clinical-stage biotech company based in Seongnam, South Korea, established in 2014. The company focuses on developing innovative medicines across various therapeutic areas, including neurodegenerative, fibrotic, and metabolic diseases. It operates through disease-specific subsidiary companies that are guided by leading medical research faculty, facilitating the translation of advanced research into viable therapeutic products. D&D Pharmatech's expertise encompasses drug research and development, manufacturing quality control, and clinical development. Additionally, the company is involved in the development of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging biomarkers and single-cell sequencing technologies related to degenerative brain diseases. By leveraging advanced drug delivery technologies, such as PEGylation, D&D Pharmatech aims to enhance the effectiveness and outcomes of its therapeutic offerings.

Law&Company

Series B in 2019
Law&Company is representative legal tech company in Republic of Korea. The company provides a service called 'LawTalk(www.lawtalk.co.kr)', which is the largest online legal market place in Korea(5 times bigger then the 2nd player). Since 2016, the company invested on research about Artificial Intelligence especially on Text Mining and Machine Learning technology to analyze lawyers and client's activities in the service which helps to lawyers and clients find the right person based on their experience. Also, the company will launch document automation based service to generate legal documents starting from complaint and contract soon. The company has received more than 3 million dollars from 5 venture capital companies and many angel investors due to previous performance and upside potential in the Korean legal market.

Orum Therapeutics

Series B in 2019
ORUM THERAPEUTICS, INC. engages in the research and development of therapeutic antibodies using cell penetrating antibody platform. Its platform targets specific cell types and adapts to different cell types and different intracellular proteins without chemical modifications. The company develops products for treatment of genetic diseases and cancer. ORUM THERAPEUTICS, INC. was founded in 2016 and is based in Daejeon, South Korea.

wadiz

Series C in 2019
Wadiz Corp. operates a crowdfunding platform for start ups. The company was incorporated in 2012 and is based in Seongnam, South Korea.

MyRealTrip

Venture Round in 2019
MyRealTrip is leading tours&activities marketplace in South Korea. MyRealTrip is the best free travel platform in Korea where you can book flights, accommodations, tours & tickets, and special offers. Starting with guided tour service in 2012, it has been growing rapidly since it successfully launched air service in 2018. MyRealTrip is constantly striving to provide travelers with a personalized experience and provide them with a more valuable experience.

Mathpresso, Inc.

Series A in 2018
Mathpresso, Inc. is an educational technology company based in Seoul, South Korea, established in 2015. It operates Qanda, a data-driven platform that leverages artificial intelligence and optical character recognition (OCR) technology to assist students with their studies. Users can take a photo of a question or problem, which the platform then analyzes to provide solutions and explanations. Qanda covers a wide range of subjects, including mathematics, Korean history, social studies, and science. The platform is designed to facilitate learning by allowing students to engage with tutors and access answers in real time. As of this year, Qanda has attracted over one million users in South Korea, making it a significant resource for students seeking help with homework and exam preparation.

Vuno

Series B in 2018
Vuno offers artificial intelligence-based medical solutions for doctors and patients that provides a platform and consulting services for medical data analysis. Vuno develops automatic algorithm against various problems that occurs in medical sites as well as it develops diagnostic and quantification assisting software. The clients of the company are Asan Medical Center and HYUNDAI. The company offers VunoMed that provides different forms of data analyzation for medical videos, ECGs, brain waves, and EMR data. Vuno is located in South Korea and the company was founded in 2014 by Yeha Lee, Kyu-Hwan Jung, and Dannis Kim.

WELT

Series A in 2018
From Wristworn to Waistworn: WELT, the Smart Belt for Fashion & Healthcare WELT is a 'Smart Fashion Belt' that manages users’ wellness. We encourage users to embrace healthy habits while keeping in style. We promise to help the wearer better track food intake, keep tabs on the activity level, and manage weight. To do this, WELT keeps check on the overall health by measuring (1)Waist size, (2)Steps, (3)Sitting time, and (4)Overeating habits. To help users avoid metabolic risks factors, custom messages to manage these risks are given through the app via BLE. Also, its elegant design makes it look just like a regular, leather belt. Battery is rechargeable, and can stand up to more than 7 days.

Inventage lab

Seed Round in 2018
inventory Lab is promoting the development of new and improved drugs for the treatment of refractory and chronic diseases by establishing a new drug delivery system. In addition, inventory will strategically develop various consumer-oriented pipelines to create new values ​​of human happiness and technological innovation.

Grampus

Private Equity Round in 2018
GRAMPUS Incorporated develops online simulation games. GRAMPUS Incorporated is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.

D&D Pharmatech

Series A in 2018
D&D Pharmatech Co., Ltd. is a clinical-stage biotech company based in Seongnam, South Korea, established in 2014. The company focuses on developing innovative medicines across various therapeutic areas, including neurodegenerative, fibrotic, and metabolic diseases. It operates through disease-specific subsidiary companies that are guided by leading medical research faculty, facilitating the translation of advanced research into viable therapeutic products. D&D Pharmatech's expertise encompasses drug research and development, manufacturing quality control, and clinical development. Additionally, the company is involved in the development of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging biomarkers and single-cell sequencing technologies related to degenerative brain diseases. By leveraging advanced drug delivery technologies, such as PEGylation, D&D Pharmatech aims to enhance the effectiveness and outcomes of its therapeutic offerings.

MyRealTrip

Series C in 2017
MyRealTrip is leading tours&activities marketplace in South Korea. MyRealTrip is the best free travel platform in Korea where you can book flights, accommodations, tours & tickets, and special offers. Starting with guided tour service in 2012, it has been growing rapidly since it successfully launched air service in 2018. MyRealTrip is constantly striving to provide travelers with a personalized experience and provide them with a more valuable experience.

wadiz

Venture Round in 2017
Wadiz Corp. operates a crowdfunding platform for start ups. The company was incorporated in 2012 and is based in Seongnam, South Korea.

Vuno

Series A in 2016
Vuno offers artificial intelligence-based medical solutions for doctors and patients that provides a platform and consulting services for medical data analysis. Vuno develops automatic algorithm against various problems that occurs in medical sites as well as it develops diagnostic and quantification assisting software. The clients of the company are Asan Medical Center and HYUNDAI. The company offers VunoMed that provides different forms of data analyzation for medical videos, ECGs, brain waves, and EMR data. Vuno is located in South Korea and the company was founded in 2014 by Yeha Lee, Kyu-Hwan Jung, and Dannis Kim.

Fount

Series A in 2016
Fount Inc., founded in 2015 and headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, operates as an asset management Robo-Advisor company. The firm offers Bluewhale, a Robo-Advisor engine that utilizes financial engineering technology and asset allocation theories to determine the optimal combination of assets for investors. Fount employs a proprietary investing algorithm based on Big Data technology, which assists clients in planning for various life events. The company emphasizes a passive investing strategy, aligning risk levels with clients' specific time horizons and allowing advanced algorithms to manage investments efficiently.

Wishket

Series A in 2015
Wishket Co., Ltd. is an IT outsourcing platform based in Seoul, South Korea, established in 2012. The platform facilitates connections between companies and freelancers, allowing users to post projects, outsource work, and search for job opportunities online. Wishket provides a secure and cost-effective environment for businesses to find qualified freelancers for development tasks. Companies can easily sign up, post their projects, and receive responses from freelancers, while freelancers benefit from access to diverse projects and job opportunities. This streamlined approach aims to enhance collaboration and efficiency in the outsourcing process.

MyRealTrip

Series B in 2015
MyRealTrip is leading tours&activities marketplace in South Korea. MyRealTrip is the best free travel platform in Korea where you can book flights, accommodations, tours & tickets, and special offers. Starting with guided tour service in 2012, it has been growing rapidly since it successfully launched air service in 2018. MyRealTrip is constantly striving to provide travelers with a personalized experience and provide them with a more valuable experience.

YAP

Venture Round in 2015
The YAP Company is a Korean startup providing O2O commerce platform using an independent hybrid beacon technique.With YAP, you will experience a whole new dimension of bestowed happiness and astonishment beyond expression.

Parking Square

Series A in 2015
Parking Square Inc provides smart mobile solutions and services for parking services in Korea. It provides solutions for real time parking services involving booking and discounts. Parking Square Inc provides an application known as Park Here, which allows users to find, locate, and book parking spaces at discounted rates. Parking Square is available as an iOS and Android app. It also enables garage owners and operators to promote and rent out their idle parking space. The company was established on May 7, 2013, based in Seoul, Korea.

Stripes

Series A in 2014
Stripes is a Korea-based apparel company that designs and manufactures men’s clothing products. Stripes’ clothing collection carries directional designs, as well as every day favorites including, t-shirts, shirts, and suits. The company also provides personalized styling services, enabling customers to personalize their clothes and have them designed to a perfect fit. Stripes markets its product through the web and mobile medium, giving consumers the facility of buying clothes at the comfort of their homes. Stripes was established in January 2013.

MyRealTrip

Series A in 2014
MyRealTrip is leading tours&activities marketplace in South Korea. MyRealTrip is the best free travel platform in Korea where you can book flights, accommodations, tours & tickets, and special offers. Starting with guided tour service in 2012, it has been growing rapidly since it successfully launched air service in 2018. MyRealTrip is constantly striving to provide travelers with a personalized experience and provide them with a more valuable experience.