Global VC Gobi Partners Launches Korean Subsidiary "Gobi Korea"

Global venture capital firm Gobi Partners has officially announced the launch of its Korean subsidiary, "Gobi Korea." Dan Chong, a global strategy expert, has been appointed as the inaugural CEO.

This expansion is part of a strategy not only to accelerate the entry of Korean startups into Southeast Asia, but also to support Southeast Asian startups in listing and distributing their products in the Korean market.

Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Malaysia, Gobi Partners currently operates branches in 13 countries. The firm manages approximately $1.6 billion (about KRW 2.2 trillion) in assets and has focused its investments on startups driving innovation in AI, digital health, foodtech, and ESG-based industries. Having invested in over 380 startups to date, Gobi Partners has demonstrated that Korean capital can achieve tangible results in Southeast Asia, notably through the Meranti ASEAN Growth Fund (MAG 1) launched in 2017, which produced major success stories such as Carsome and Synagistics.

Dan Chong, CEO of Gobi Korea, previously served as Vice President of Singaporean media giant MediaCorp and as Managing Partner of Gobi Partners Singapore. He has played a leading role in guiding Korean foodtech startup Simple Planet's expansion into ASEAN, and has driven technology transfer and strategic alliances between the Korean and ASEAN markets.

He explained, "Korea is a country where world-class technology and talent converge, while Southeast Asia is a promising market where these technologies can be tested and scaled. Gobi Korea will serve as a hub of innovation connecting Korea and Southeast Asia."

Going forward, Gobi Korea plans to accelerate the entry of Korean startups into Southeast Asia, facilitate open innovation between major Korean conglomerates and ASEAN tech companies, and pursue joint fund management with global partners.

Dan Chong stated, "The establishment of Gobi Partners' Korean subsidiary is not simply the entry of a foreign venture capital firm into Korea. We are a platform that builds bridges between markets, and now one end of that bridge is firmly anchored in Seoul."

The launch of Gobi Korea reflects Gobi Partners' long-term vision to make Seoul a strategic outpost for expansion into ASEAN. It is expected to mark a significant turning point for both domestic startups targeting Southeast Asia and ASEAN companies aiming to enter the Korean market.