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Kakao Ventures(카카오벤처스)

Kakao Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Seongnam, South Korea, focusing on seed to early Series A investments in sectors like deep tech, digital healthcare, and gaming. As an independent subsidiary of Kakao Corp, it supports startups with both capital and resources.

Website
kakao.vc
Founded
2012
Recorded stages
Seed, Series A
Focus sectors
Healthcare, Gaming
Recorded regions
Asia, Global

Online destinations

Find Kakao Ventures(카카오벤처스) online

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Overview

Kakao Ventures, established in April 2012 as K Cube Ventures and rebranded in March 2017, is a prominent venture capital firm located in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. The firm specializes in early-stage investments, primarily from seed to Series A, targeting innovative startups in sectors such as deep tech, digital healthcare, ICT services, and gaming. Kakao Ventures is committed to supporting entrepreneurs who aim to address societal challenges through their ventures. With a diverse portfolio of over 190 startups, Kakao Ventures is recognized as a leading player in the Korean startup ecosystem, often acting as the first institutional investor in new deals. The firm also operates the TIPS program, which combines private investment with government support to foster startup growth.

Focus

Kakao Ventures primarily invests in early-stage startups, specifically from the seed stage to early Series A. The organization emphasizes sectors such as ICT, software, deep tech, and services that address consumer inconveniences, with a keen interest in AI, robotics, and nuclear technology for future investments.

Support

Kakao Ventures adds value to its portfolio companies through access to resources, industry insights, and support from a network of experienced professionals. The organization also operates the TIPS program, combining private investment with government support to foster startup growth.

Questions

What are Kakao Ventures' investment criteria?

Kakao Ventures primarily invests in early-stage startups, focusing on seed and Series A rounds. They target sectors such as ICT, software, deep tech, digital healthcare, and gaming. The firm looks for entrepreneurs who are dedicated to solving societal problems through innovative solutions.

How can startups apply or pitch to Kakao Ventures?

Startups can reach out to Kakao Ventures via their pitch email at hello@kakao.vc or through their contact page at https://kakao.vc/contact. It is advisable to include a detailed pitch deck outlining the business model, market opportunity, and team background.

What makes Kakao Ventures different from other VCs?

Kakao Ventures aims to be the first institutional investor in 90% of its new deals, which allows them to provide significant support and resources to their portfolio companies. Their focus on impactful entrepreneurship and commitment to addressing consumer inconveniences sets them apart.

What is the geographic scope of Kakao Ventures?

The firm invests globally, with a strong emphasis on markets in Asia, including South Korea, as well as the United States, Germany, India, and Japan. They are open to both domestic and international startups.

What is the typical check size for investments?

Kakao Ventures typically invests in the seed and Series A stages, with check sizes varying based on the specific needs of the startup and the potential for growth. Exact figures are not disclosed, but they focus on providing sufficient capital to support early-stage development.

What kind of post-investment involvement does Kakao Ventures have?

Kakao Ventures adds value to its portfolio companies through access to resources, industry insights, and support from a network of experienced professionals. They also operate the TIPS program, which combines private investment with government support to foster startup growth.

Check your startup’s fit

Check your startup’s fit with Kakao Ventures(카카오벤처스)

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