
Korea Investment Partners
Description
Korea Investment Partners (KIP) is a highly prominent and established venture capital and private equity firm, headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. Founded in 1986, KIP boasts a long and distinguished history in the investment landscape, making it one of the oldest and most experienced VC firms in Asia. The firm has a significant global footprint, with additional offices in key innovation hubs such as Shanghai, Beijing, Sunnyvale, and Singapore, enabling it to source and support ventures across multiple continents. KIP manages an impressive portfolio, with a total Assets Under Management (AUM) exceeding USD 8.0 billion across over 200 funds, demonstrating its substantial capital base and extensive investment capacity.
KIP's investment strategy is notably broad, encompassing various stages from early-stage startups to mature growth companies. While sector-agnostic, the firm has developed deep expertise and a strong track record in critical sectors including information technology (IT), biotechnology/healthcare, media, consumer goods, and advanced manufacturing. Their global presence allows them to identify and support promising companies not only within South Korea but also across China, Southeast Asia, and the United States. KIP is known for its hands-on approach, providing strategic guidance, operational support, and leveraging its extensive network to help portfolio companies scale and achieve market leadership.
With investments in over 1,000 companies globally, KIP has played a pivotal role in the growth of numerous successful enterprises, including several unicorns and companies that have achieved successful IPOs. Their deep experience and substantial capital base enable them to lead significant funding rounds, often acting as a cornerstone investor in high-potential ventures. The firm's commitment extends beyond capital, focusing on long-term partnerships and fostering innovation across diverse industries. KIP's robust track record underscores its position as a leading force in the global venture capital and private equity ecosystem.
Investor Profile
Korea Investment Partners has backed more than 133 startups, with 41 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 24 rounds, about 18% of its total and boasts 41 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series A, Series B, Seed rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in South Korea, United States, China.
- Strong thematic focus on Biotechnology, Health Care, Medical.
- Led 6 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $1M – $50M.
Stage Focus
- Series A (35%)
- Series B (29%)
- Seed (14%)
- Series C (11%)
- Series Unknown (7%)
- Series D (2%)
- Series E (2%)
- Secondary Market (1%)
- Post Ipo Equity (1%)
- Convertible Note (1%)
Country Focus
- South Korea (43%)
- United States (26%)
- China (7%)
- Finland (4%)
- Israel (4%)
- Singapore (3%)
- United Kingdom (3%)
- France (2%)
- Belgium (2%)
- India (2%)
Industry Focus
- Biotechnology
- Health Care
- Medical
- Software
- Information Technology
- Pharmaceutical
- Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
- E-commerce
- Gaming
- Manufacturing
Frequently Asked Questions
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