KT Investment

KT Investment is the dedicated venture capital arm of KT Corporation, one of South Korea's largest telecommunications conglomerates. Established in 2015 and headquartered in Seoul, the firm plays a crucial role in fostering innovation within the Korean startup ecosystem by strategically investing in promising early to growth-stage companies. Its investment mandate is closely aligned with KT Corporation's core business interests, aiming to create synergistic opportunities across various technological domains.

The firm maintains a broad investment focus, primarily targeting sectors such as Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data, media, content, healthcare, and smart cities. KT Investment is known for its flexible approach to investment stages, deploying capital from Seed rounds through to later-stage Series D and beyond. This versatility allows them to support companies throughout their growth trajectory, from nascent ideas to established market players. Their strategic investments often seek to leverage KT Corporation's extensive infrastructure and market reach.

KT Investment has demonstrated significant capital deployment capabilities, having raised and managed multiple substantial funds. For instance, in 2020, the firm launched a 100 billion won (approximately $85 million) fund specifically dedicated to investments in 5G and AI technologies. This was followed by another notable fund in 2021, a 120 billion won (approximately $100 million) vehicle aimed at supporting content and media startups. Their portfolio includes several high-profile Korean tech companies, such as fintech giant Viva Republica (Toss), blockchain operator Dunamu (Upbit), and global communication platform Sendbird, underscoring their impact on the local and regional tech landscape.

With a robust financial backing from its parent company and a clear strategic vision, KT Investment has solidified its position as a key institutional investor in South Korea. The firm actively participates in significant funding rounds, as evidenced by their 5 billion won (approximately $3.7 million) investment in a Series A round in 2022, and a 10 billion won (approximately $8.5 million) investment in Toss Payments in 2021. Their consistent activity and strategic focus make them a significant partner for startups looking to scale and innovate within the dynamic South Korean market and beyond.