Fueling a Venture Boom

The amount of new venture investment totaled 634.8 billion won (US$571 million) in the first quarter, up 56.6% from a year earlier.
The amount of new venture investment totaled 634.8 billion won (US$571 million) in the first quarter, up 56.6% from a year earlier.

Fresh investment in venture companies hit an all-time high in the first quarter of this year.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on April 23 that the amount of new venture investment totaled 634.8 billion won (US$571 million) in the first quarter, up 56.6% from a year earlier. During the same period, the amount of new venture funds increased 46.7% from 677.2 billion won (US$609 million) to 993.4 billion won (US$894 million).


Specifically, new investment in three-year-old and younger companies increased by 35.4 billion won (US$31 million) to 197.3 billion won (US$177 million) and that in those established three to seven years ago increased by 101.5 billion won (US$91 million) to 218.1 billion won (US$196 million).

The amount showed a positive growth in every industry except for cultural content. For instance, fresh investment in information and communications more than doubled from 101 billion won (US$90 million) to 218.9 billion won (US$197 million) during the period while that in biotechnology almost tripled from 53.4 billion won (US$48 million) to 148.6 billion won (US$133 million).

In the first quarter, 13 companies were listed on the KOSDAQ stock exchange and they included seven, such as DongKoo Bio&Pharma and Cafe24, invested by venture capitals. During the period, eight venture capital companies were newly registered, seven more than a year ago.

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