Korea Early Investment Institutions Association Member Companies More Than Double in Just Over a Year
The Korea Early Stage Investment Association (KESIA) has surpassed 100 member companies. This figure has more than doubled in one year since exceeding 50 companies in January last year.
According to the Korea Early Stage Investment Association on the 22nd, Jeonbuk Creative Economy Innovation Center joined as the 100th member company. Following this, Korea University Technology Holdings and Plug and Play Korea also joined.
The Korea Early Stage Investment Association is a reputable organization composed of various early-stage investment institutions specialized in early investment, such as new technology business finance companies, creative economy innovation centers, industry-academia-research cooperation technology holding companies, and global accelerators.
It was established with the purpose of expanding investment company channels jointly by diverse market participants, strengthening mutual bonds and cooperation among early investment institutions, and leading new growth in the startup ecosystem.
The association takes the lead in revitalizing the early investment ecosystem by providing deal sourcing and follow-up investment support, networking, policy proposals, and education operations for early investment institutions.
In December last year, it announced the successful conclusion of the ‘Early Startup Investor Summit’ with 300 attendees and plans to continue expanding activities for early investment institutions.
Association members enjoy various benefits such as networking, investment linkage, discounts on education and seminars, promotion, and policy proposals. Member companies consist of various types including △accelerators △VCs △CVCs △technology holdings △Creative Economy Innovation Center Association △new technology companies △securities firms, among others.
Currently, Lee Yong-gwan, CEO of Bluepoint, serves as the president of the association, and the board of directors consists of 13 early investment institutions actively engaged in early investment, including Lee Taek-kyung, CEO of Mashup Ventures; Ryu Jung-hee, CEO of FuturePlay; Myung Seung-eun, CEO of Venture Square; Hwang Byung-sun, CEO of Big Bang Angels; Song Eun-kang, CEO of Capstone Partners; and Kwon Do-gyun, CEO of Primer.
Lee Yong-gwan, president of the Korea Early Stage Investment Association, stated, "We will encourage the participation of institutions specialized in early investment to contribute to the revitalization of the early investment ecosystem," and added, "We will expand support service capabilities to strengthen member competitiveness so that all types of members can actively participate in the early investment ecosystem."
Meanwhile, membership eligibility includes institutions investing in early startups certified by the government, such as startup planners (accelerators), small and medium enterprise startup investment companies (including venture capitals funded by large corporations), new technology business finance companies, industry-academia-research cooperation technology holding companies, and new technology startup specialized companies. It also includes institutions that have invested at least 100 million KRW through directly managed fund accounts such as main accounts, investment associations, or startup venture specialized management participation-type private equity funds within the past year in early startups that have been in business for less than three years from the date of establishment.
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