Kim Kijun Officially Appointed as New CEO of Kakao Ventures... "Strengthening Support for Overseas and Startups"

Kim Ki-jun, New CEO of Kakao Ventures
[Photo by Kakao Ventures]

Kakao Ventures announced on the 27th that Kim Kijun has been officially appointed as the new CEO through the general shareholders' meeting and the board of directors.

CEO Kim Kijun joined Kakao Ventures in 2012 and has led the discovery of tech companies and subsequent support. He presented a new vision called 'Beyond VC.' This means faithfully fulfilling the role of a venture capital that discovers innovative startups, drives growth, and achieves financial results, while accelerating the necessary future through bold attempts without setting limits.

This year, Kakao Ventures has set "Global" and "Insightful" as its strategic directions. To discover ultra-early-stage startups overseas, it will expand its reach to the U.S. and other countries and strengthen its investment network. While expanding content that can convey Kakao Ventures' direction and identity, it plans to interact with prospective entrepreneurs, startups, and the investment ecosystem. The goal is to broaden and deepen the perspective on the investment market, proactively discover ultra-early-stage startups, and create a virtuous cycle structure leading to investment and growth.

The value-up program will also be advanced. The Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) system, introduced for the first time last year, will be formalized, and close support for portfolio companies will continue. The EIR program involves residing within the venture capital firm to diagnose and solve issues of investee companies together.

This year, the focus remains on ultra-early-stage startups in key investment areas based on ICT, including services, digital healthcare, deep tech, and gaming sectors.

CEO Kim Kijun stated, "Now, when efforts from both startups and investors are needed to get out of the dark tunnel called the investment winter, we will move forward as a venture capital leading the way toward the end of the tunnel."