The Venture Industry in Crisis, Easing Investment Winter This Year with 'Sustainability'

Innovation Venture Industry New Year's Meeting Held on the 22nd
Hosted by VC Association, Venture Business Association, Women Venture Association, and Others
Emphasis on Public-Private Cooperation for a Sustainable Venture Ecosystem

As domestic and international management uncertainties expand, prolonging the cold spell in the venture investment market, the venture industry is set to build a sustainable ecosystem this year. Through this, they plan to overcome the crisis and seek a rebound.

The Korea Venture Capital Association (KVCA), Korea Venture Business Association, Korea Women Venture Association, Early-stage Investment Accelerator Association, and Korea Startup Forum announced on the 22nd that they held the '2025 Innovation Venture Industry New Year's Meeting' at EL Tower in Seocho, Seoul. The New Year's Meeting was attended by about 180 people, including Kim Seong-seop, Vice Minister of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, heads of innovation venture organization councils, member companies of the five hosting organizations, venture entrepreneurs, and related institution officials. The event was held under the slogan 'Korea leaping forward with sustainable venture innovation!' with the core value of 'sustainability' as the theme.

Yoon Geon-su, Chairman of the Korea Venture Capital Association. Provided by the Korea Venture Capital Association

At the event, the 'Innovation Venture Vision Forum' was held on the theme of cooperation between the public and private sectors for a sustainable venture ecosystem. The heads of the five hosting organizations represented the industry in the discussion. Legal grounds for allowing retirement pension venture fund investments, policy alternatives for restoring venture liquidity, reform of vested interests of occupational groups based on legal and institutional regulations and rent economy, strengthening and establishing the foundation for global expansion capabilities of women venture companies, creation of a self-sustaining startup investment ecosystem and solidarity cooperation among associations for the sustainable growth of accelerators, promotion of innovative startup growth, and creation of local and global cooperative ecosystems were proposed as measures to create a sustainable venture ecosystem.

Yoon Geon-su, Chairman of the KVCA, said, "Although the reality is that both venture capital and venture companies are experiencing widening growth gaps due to domestic and international uncertainties, if we aim for global standards beyond Korea, we will naturally be able to overcome difficulties." Sung Sang-yeop, Chairman of the Korea Venture Business Association, emphasized, "This era is calling for ventures again," adding, "This year, amid worsening domestic and international business environments, it will be a turning point to overcome current difficulties through the unique innovative capabilities of venture companies and lead a new leap forward for Korea." Yoon Mi-ok, Chairwoman of the Korea Women Venture Association, said, "The role of innovative venture companies is more important than anything else to overcome the crisis caused by the ongoing domestic and international economic recession," and added, "To find new growth opportunities, we must go global and engage in more active exchanges and cooperation."

Jeon Hwa-seong, Chairman of the Early-stage Investment Accelerator Association, said, "In a situation where our country's startup ecosystem has not escaped the harsh winter for the past few years, increasing uncertainty, survival of startups will be the most important virtue this year," and added, "The role of accelerators, who are responsible for the early growth of startups, the core of Korea's future economy, is very important." Han Sang-woo, Chairman of the Korea Startup Forum, also emphasized, "Although these are difficult times, entrepreneurs must be prepared to continue fierce challenges and innovation."

In response, Lim Jeong-wook, Director of the Startup Venture Innovation Office at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, said, "Our country's greatest resource is talented people armed with innovation and passion," and added, "The venture and startup ecosystem, where these talents gather, will grow faster and lead the global economy beyond Korea, and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups will not spare practical support."