KDB 산은 Establishes VC Investment Corporation in Silicon Valley, USA

Direct Investment and Fund Contribution Operations Execution

Lee Dong-geol (third from the left), Chairman of the Korea Development Bank, is celebrating the opening of KDB Silicon Valley in Silicon Valley, USA, on the 16th.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jin-ho Kim] The Korea Development Bank (KDB) announced on the 17th that it has opened its venture capital subsidiary, 'KDB Silicon Valley,' in Silicon Valley, USA, and has begun venture investment operations.

KDB Silicon Valley, which was inaugurated on the 16th (local time), was established as a local corporation capable of conducting direct investments and fund contributions on site. Within the Silicon Valley ecosystem, the global hub of innovation, KDB Silicon Valley plans to actively strengthen the status of Korean-affiliated companies in Silicon Valley by conducting direct investments in local Korean startups through networking activities with local startups and investors.

Additionally, it plans to build active networks with Korean engineers, venture capitalists (VCs), large corporations, and related organizations operating locally, serving as a key foothold for domestic startups entering the local market.

The primary direct investment targets are startups founded by Korean entrepreneurs locally. Domestic startups expanding into the U.S. are also included. Furthermore, U.S. startups entering Korea?such as those cooperating with domestic large corporations for open innovation or opening offices and hiring development personnel in Korea?will also be included.

Considering that KDB Silicon Valley is in its early stages, it will focus on early-stage and Series A investments rather than large-scale investments for the time being. Subsequently, follow-up investments in these companies or scale-up investments in later-stage startups will expand investment size through organic cooperation such as co-investments with the head office.

Indirect investment operations, such as participating as a limited partner (LP) in local venture funds, will also be conducted concurrently. Through this, it aims to secure networking and deal sourcing channels with local VCs, raise interest in Korean startups, and establish cooperative relationships through joint investments with major U.S. VCs in collaboration with the head office.

At the opening ceremony, KDB Chairman Dong-geol Lee stated, “KDB Silicon Valley will serve as a focal point for the Korean venture community encompassing local entrepreneurs, engineers, and investors in the U.S., supporting domestic ventures and startups to grow into global K-unicorns through overseas expansion.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.