Kakao Ventures(카카오벤처스) Risk Report

📜 Innovation & R&D

Kakao Ventures shows a robust commitment to innovation and R&D, actively investing in state-of-the-art technologies and startups. Their consistent efforts reflect an ambition to stay at the forefront of technological advancements, especially in the deep tech and AI sectors. Notably, they are betting heavily on both domestic and international startups to diversify their technological footprint.

• Kakao Ventures invested in U.S. space tech startups 🗓 May 29, 2025.
• They made seed investments in two U.S. deep tech startups 🗓 May 30, 2025.
• Kakao Ventures backs a Korean AI startup to make AI models faster and cheaper 🗓 February 19, 2024.
• Kakao Ventures announced a collaboration with OpenAI to develop AI products 🗓 February 4, 2025.
• Launching a startup competition jointly with MS Korea 🗓 March 11, 2024.

Operational & Business Continuity

Kakao Ventures is currently navigating a significant operational transition, marked by leadership changes and strategic shifts in investment focus. The appointment of a new CEO amid ongoing crises highlights their attempt to reinforce business continuity and address internal challenges triggered by recent corporate turbulence. These decisions underscore the necessity for stability and resilience in their operations.

• Shina Chung, previously head of its VC unit, was named the new CEO 🗓 January 3, 2024 amid ongoing crisis.
• Crisis strategy included appointing the company's first-ever female CEO to support reforms 🗓 December 13, 2023.
• Kakao tapped venture capital unit head as the new CEO to lead reform efforts 🗓 December 13, 2023.
• Strategic investment shifts accompanied the expansion of Fund 11 to ₩50 billion 🗓 June 13, 2025.

Awards & Recognition

Kakao Ventures is gaining notable recognition in fostering innovation within startups, as evidenced by their backing of companies that dominate prominent awards. Such achievements demonstrate the firm's influence and investment acumen in identifying and nurturing pioneering companies that lead the way in innovation.

• Startups backed by Kakao dominated CES Innovation Awards 🗓 December 19, 2024.