IMM Investment Corp. is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Seoul, South Korea, established in 1999. The firm specializes in mezzanine investments and focuses on sectors such as information technology, healthcare, biotechnology, and manufacturing. It engages in various investment activities including mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, management buyouts, and cross-border investments. In its growth stage investments, IMM allocates resources to startups, expansion, and mezzanine financing, with a significant emphasis on information technology infrastructure and digital content. The firm also targets medium-sized companies and prefers an active management role in its investments. Additionally, IMM Investment undertakes secondary investments and co-invests in buyout transactions, aiming for strategic opportunities in diverse industries, including telecommunications, entertainment, and biotechnology.
KB Investment Co., Ltd. is a prominent venture capital and private equity firm based in Seoul, South Korea, established in 1990 as a subsidiary of KB Financial Group. Specializing in early-stage investments, growth capital, and selected buyout deals, the firm focuses primarily on small and medium-sized enterprises in sectors such as biotechnology, information communication technology, shipbuilding, and various technology-related industries. KB Investment also engages in secondary venture capital investments in pre-IPO companies and social ventures that align with the United Nations' sustainable development goals. The firm operates mainly within South Korea, targeting regions such as Seoul, Gyeonggi, Daejeon, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, Chungnam, Jeonnam, Jeonbuk, and Gyeongbuk. With an asset management portfolio exceeding USD 1.4 billion as of late 2013, KB Investment is recognized for its strategic support to portfolio companies across critical operational areas.
Korea Investment Partners (KIP) is a prominent venture capital and private equity firm based in Seoul, South Korea, with over 30 years of experience in the industry. Established in 1986, KIP focuses on investing in innovative companies across various sectors, including biotechnology, healthcare, media, financial technology, and information technology. The firm has a diverse portfolio that includes notable companies such as Kakao, Naver, and YG Entertainment. KIP manages more than 20 venture and private equity funds, with total assets under management amounting to approximately $1.8 billion. In addition to its headquarters in Seoul, KIP operates offices in Shanghai, Beijing, and Sunnyvale, showcasing its commitment to global investment opportunities.
Korea Development Bank (KDB) is a state-run banking institution based in Seoul, South Korea, established in 1954. It offers a wide range of banking products and services, including corporate banking, investment banking, and international banking. KDB provides long-term financing through various loan products, such as equipment capital loans and working capital loans, primarily aimed at supporting private enterprises involved in major industrial projects. The bank also extends guarantees on corporate debentures and loans to facilitate borrowing. Additionally, KDB engages in consulting and corporate restructuring, as well as economic and industrial research. It serves a diverse clientele, including individual and corporate customers, small and medium-sized enterprises, and operates through 74 domestic branches and 9 overseas branches, along with representative offices. KDB's focus encompasses various sectors, including healthcare, transportation, energy, and information technology, contributing to Korea's economic growth and development.
Stonebridge Capital Inc. is a private equity firm based in Seoul, South Korea, founded in 2008. It specializes in investments in middle market and buyout deals for domestic and foreign businesses with high growth potential. The firm focuses on various sectors, including new growth industries, software, distribution, consumer goods, media and entertainment, healthcare, and financial services. Additionally, Stonebridge Capital invests in information communication technology, pharmaceuticals, and real estate, with a particular interest in opportunities related to overseas expansion. The firm primarily targets investments in North America and East Asia, emphasizing South Korea, China, and Japan. Its subsidiary, Stonebridge Ventures Inc., established in 2017, engages in venture capital investments across sectors such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and financial technology, with a strategy that includes growth capital and secondary investments.
Strong Ventures is a seed fund based in Los Angeles, California, focused on financing and mentoring entrepreneurs from Korea, Asia, and beyond. The firm provides financial support alongside hands-on assistance, leveraging the experience of its team, who have backgrounds as operators, executives, and entrepreneurs. By offering strategic guidance and access to an extensive network, Strong Ventures aims to empower entrepreneurs to successfully enter the global market. The firm is dedicated to enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem, striving to create a stronger and more collaborative environment for all involved in building innovative companies.
The Korea Venture Investment Corporation (KVIC), established in 2005, is a Fund of Funds management company dedicated to fostering the growth of the private equity sector in South Korea. As a wholly owned subsidiary of the Small Business Corporation (SBC) of Korea, KVIC manages the Korea Fund of Funds (KFOF), which is backed by the Korean government. The organization focuses on investing in venture capital funds both domestically and globally, thereby supporting the development of the local private equity industry. Through its strategic investments, KVIC aims to enhance the overall investment landscape and promote innovation within the region.
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.
Kakao Ventures is one of the early-stage VCs in Korea, with a focus on everything mobile and software. Kakao Ventures believes in harnessing the power of startups to change their world. Their mission statement is to be the backers of smart entrepreneurs who set their courses, in the form of startups armed with a competitive edge, to solve real-world problems. Kakao Ventures specializes in helping entrepreneurs from super-early stages. They have a track record of identifying strong contenders and investing in startup teams at their nascency and also provide startups with access to the tightly-knit "Kakao Ventures Family" of portfolio companies that share the sense of camaraderie and DNA of game-changers.
Capstone Partners is a venture capital firm established in 2008 and based in Seoul, South Korea. The firm specializes in early-stage investments in sectors such as information technology, wireless technology, architecture, pharmaceuticals, online gaming, software, solid-state disks, and IPTV. Its primary investment focus is on companies in China and South Korea, particularly in the Seoul and Gyeonggi province areas. Capstone Partners aims to support entrepreneurs with innovative ideas and typically seeks to exit investments through trade sales. The firm prioritizes the interests of its investors, emphasizing effective management of their funds.