Heo Tae-hong, the 4th generation owner of the GS Group, is making his mark in the North American venture investment sector, particularly in Silicon Valley, California. He is leading GS Futures, a corporate venture capital (CVC) established by GS Group in 2020, expanding investment into areas such as biotech, artificial intelligence (AI), and eco-friendly energy that are expected to be future essentials.
Recently, Heo has been continuing investments in the biotech sector. GS Futures has entered seed stage investment in a startup called "Biosphere," which develops bioreactors known as cell culture systems and bioreactors. The investment amount from major investors, including GS Futures, is approximately $8.8 million (about 13 billion won).
Since its establishment, GS Futures has consistently invested in startups with innovative technologies in the biotech field. Notable examples include Geltor, which possesses synthetic protein manufacturing technology; Zymochem, which has optimization technology for metabolic pathways in biochemicals; and Capra Biosciences, which develops continuous production process technologies using biofilms.
Leading the investments at GS Futures, Heo Tae-hong was born in 1985 and is the second son of Heo Myung-soo, former vice chairman of GS Engineering and Construction, who is the brother of Heo Tae-soo, chairman of GS Group. After graduating from the Swiss boarding school École d'Intelligence, he majored in science and technology and international relations at Georgetown University and completed an MBA program at Stanford University.
GS Futures, along with GS Ventures, plays a role in sketching out new business ventures for the GS Group. While GS Ventures identifies promising startups in South Korea and across Asia, GS Futures, based in San Mateo, California, focuses on investments in North American startups such as those in Silicon Valley.
Heo is working with a total of 12 evaluators, including himself. Before taking on the role of CEO at GS Futures, he worked in South Korea, Indonesia, and the United States. He joined GS Home Shopping in 2012, where he was responsible for financial accounting, overseas strategic planning, and venture investment, and in 2017, he moved to San Francisco, where he worked at various venture capital firms.
In addition to biotech, GS Futures has invested in over 70 startups related to batteries, AI, eco-friendly energy, and real estate in North America. The investment amount is estimated to be around 200 billion won. During this process, Heo gained attention in the global venture capital community and participated in various seminars and interviews. Last year, he was also selected as one of the "50 Emerging Leaders" by the British corporate venture research firm "Global Corporate Venturing."