[Exclusive] Samchully Group, a Leading City Gas Company, Enters Venture Investment Business

Establishment of Samcheonri Investment
Capital of 20 Billion CVC... Under CEO Jangwon Lee
Launched as a New Technology Business Finance Company with Broad Investment Scope

Samchully Group, whose main business is city gas, is venturing into venture investment. This move is interpreted as an effort to discover future growth engines.

According to the investment banking (IB) industry on the 14th, Samchully Group has established a venture capital (VC) firm called Samchully Investment. The initial capital is approximately 20 billion KRW. The initial head is CEO Jangwon Lee, a founding member of SV Investment. He graduated from Sogang University with a degree in Business Administration and has worked at Long-Term Credit Bank and Korea Citibank before serving as CEO of SV Investment.

They are actively recruiting investment analysts. Some analysts have already received offers. Samchully is seeking candidates with over three years of experience as analysts in VC or corporate venture capital (CVC), investment banking (IB) experience at securities firms or related industries, and investment experience in pre-IPO equity investments, mezzanine financing, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), or experience in financial advisory services at accounting firms.

Since the parent company, Samchully Group, operates businesses related to gas and energy, there was speculation that investments would focus on the energy sector. However, Samchully Investment plans to invest in various fields without limiting itself to the energy sector.

The company form has been finalized as a New Technology Business Financial Company (Shingisa) rather than a typical venture capital company (Changtu). Generally, Changtu companies fall under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, while Shingisa companies are under the Financial Services Commission, with different supervisory authorities. The establishment capital also differs: 2 billion KRW for Changtu and 10 billion KRW for Shingisa.

In particular, Shingisa has the advantage of a broader investment scope compared to Changtu. Additionally, Shingisa can form various types of funds such as new technology investment associations and venture investment associations. Although the initial costs are relatively higher, it allows for greater operational flexibility.

With the establishment of Samchully Investment following Samchully Asset Management, Samchully Group can further strengthen alternative investments. It is expected to create synergy effects together with Samchully Asset Management, a specialized energy and infrastructure investment firm.