
KB Investment
Description
KB Investment is a prominent venture capital and private equity firm based in Seoul, South Korea, established in 1990 as a key subsidiary of KB Financial Group, one of the largest financial institutions in the nation. With a deep-rooted presence in the Korean investment landscape, the firm has grown to manage an impressive portfolio, overseeing more than 100 funds with assets under management (AUM) exceeding KRW 3.5 trillion, which translates to approximately USD 2.7 billion. This substantial capital base enables KB Investment to be a significant player in both domestic and increasingly, global markets.
The firm employs a comprehensive investment strategy, targeting a wide spectrum of companies from early-stage startups to more mature, growth-stage enterprises. Their sector focus is broad and dynamic, encompassing high-growth industries such as Information Technology (IT), Biotechnology and Healthcare, Content creation, Fintech, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, and Mobility. KB Investment is known for its active participation in funding rounds, often taking on lead investor roles, and has built a diverse portfolio of innovative companies. Their approach is not limited to a specific stage, allowing them to support companies throughout their lifecycle, from initial seed funding through subsequent growth rounds.
KB Investment's typical first cheque sizes reflect their multi-stage investment approach. For early-stage ventures, initial investments can commence around $500,000, providing crucial capital for nascent companies to develop and scale. As companies mature and demonstrate significant growth potential, KB Investment is prepared to deploy larger sums, with typical lead investments for growth-stage companies often reaching up to $15,000,000. Their robust financial backing from KB Financial Group, combined with their extensive experience and broad industry focus, positions KB Investment as a pivotal force in fostering innovation and driving the growth of the venture ecosystem in South Korea and beyond.
Investor Profile
KB Investment has backed more than 91 startups, with 20 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 13 rounds, about 14% of its total and boasts 13 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series B, Series A, Seed rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in South Korea, United States, Israel.
- Strong thematic focus on Biotechnology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Health Care.
- Led 3 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $500K – $15M.
Stage Focus
- Series B (30%)
- Series A (30%)
- Seed (20%)
- Series Unknown (8%)
- Series C (7%)
- Series D (3%)
- Convertible Note (2%)
- Pre Seed (1%)
Country Focus
- South Korea (64%)
- United States (15%)
- Israel (5%)
- Japan (3%)
- Indonesia (2%)
- Switzerland (2%)
- India (2%)
- Singapore (2%)
- China (1%)
- Iceland (1%)
Industry Focus
- Biotechnology
- Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
- Health Care
- Software
- Financial Services
- Fintech
- Information Technology
- Medical
- Therapeutics
- Finance
Frequently Asked Questions
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