Supporting and Nurturing Early-Stage AI Startups
Jarvis & Villains, the company behind "Samzzomzzom," is teaming up with Seoul National University Technology Holdings to discover the "next Samzzomzzom."
On January 16, Jarvis & Villains announced that it has signed a "Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Building an AI-Based Financial and Lifestyle Service Ecosystem for Everyday Life" with Seoul National University Technology Holdings.
Kim Beomseop, CEO of Jarvis & Villains (left), and Mok Seunghwan, CEO of Seoul National University Technology Holdings, are signing an agreement and taking a commemorative photo. Jarvis & Villains
Through this agreement, the two companies will establish a joint investment system covering the entire process, from discovering and supporting promising startups to connecting them with commercialization opportunities. As a first step, they will create a "Growth Fund" to serve as a resource for identifying promising startups. The plan is to build a service ecosystem based on AI technology to address the challenges faced by non-standard workers such as gig workers, freelancers, and small business owners who are often excluded from financial and lifestyle benefits, and to support early-stage startups aligned with this direction. In addition, they intend to continuously expand the scale of investment by bringing in external partners such as financial institutions.
Last year, Jarvis & Villains announced its transition into a "lifestyle platform" encompassing all aspects of daily life by acquiring Microprotect and BLQ. With this agreement, the company is expanding its role as an "accelerator" that supports early-stage startup investments.
Founded in 2008, Seoul National University Technology Holdings is a technology-based startup investment institution that manages 14 funds totaling 120 billion won. Leveraging Seoul National University's outstanding technological capabilities and human resources, it focuses on nurturing companies. Notable early investment portfolio companies include AI semiconductor unicorn Rebellions and currency exchange and overseas payment service Travel Wallet.
Kim Beomseop, CEO of Jarvis & Villains, said, "I want to give back the interest and support that Samzzomzzom has received from customers to promising early-stage startups," adding, "Together with Seoul National University Technology Holdings, which has extensive investment experience, we will spare no effort in supporting AI-based startups to establish themselves in the market and in fostering a healthy startup ecosystem."
Mok Seunghwan, CEO of Seoul National University Technology Holdings, emphasized, "To create true value in fintech, it is essential to go beyond simple capital investment and pursue strategic investment (SI) and collaboration with financial infrastructure networks," adding, "By partnering with SI partners like Jarvis & Villains and collaborating with compatible financial institutions, we will support the substantial growth of promising companies invested in by both parties."
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