KTB Network Liquidates Bio, SoBuJang, and Game Investment Funds with 276% Return

8 out of 24 Portfolio Companies Successfully IPO

[Asia Economy Reporter Minwoo Lee] KTB Network has liquidated funds invested in industries such as bio, materials·components·equipment, and gaming, achieving a return of 276%.

KTB Network, a subsidiary of KTB Investment & Securities, announced on the 20th that it has liquidated the 'KoFC-KTBN Pioneer Champ 2011-5 (hereafter KTBN 2011-5)' investment association with a 276% return.

This fund, sized at 45 billion KRW, was funded in 2011 by the Korea Development Bank and KTB Network with equity shares of 66.7% and 33.3%, respectively. With an investment of 45 billion KRW, it recovered 129.4 billion KRW after 9 years, achieving a return on investment (ROI) of 276%. The internal rate of return (IRR) was 27.7%, far exceeding the benchmark IRR of 8%. Notably, this fund is symbolic as it was the first to secure the status of entrusted operator after KTB Network transitioned from a new technology finance company to a venture capital company.

The main investment targets were companies entering the growth stage. Investments were made in bio, materials·components·equipment, cultural content, and gaming sectors, including Kangstem Biotech, Peptron, Boditech Med, Nextin, Next Entertainment World (NEW), and Someage. Among the total 24 companies, 8 succeeded in initial public offerings (IPO). In particular, major listed companies such as Nextin (20x), ELP (9x), and Next Entertainment (5x) were evaluated as driving high profits.

Based on these achievements, KTB Network formed and operates the KTBN 18 fund worth 281 billion KRW last year, expanding the same strategy, and plans to continuously advance investments in growth-stage companies. A KTB Network official said, "The investment strategy for growth-stage companies overcoming the Death Valley was effective," adding, "We also expect additional performance from the KTBN 7 venture investment association, which already exceeds a distribution rate of 270% with the same strategy series fund."