Venture investment and fund formation have both increased this year, showing a clear recovery in the venture ecosystem.
According to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) on the 13th, new venture investment in the first to third quarters totaled 9.8 trillion won, up 13.1% from the same period last year. In particular, third-quarter investment reached 4 trillion won, up 32% from the previous quarter and 28% from a year earlier. It surpassed 4 trillion won in a single quarter for the first time since COVID-19.
By company age, investments in both early corporations within seven years of founding and late-stage growth corporations increased 13.1%, showing broad-based expansion across all stages.
Venture fund formation also turned upward. New formations in the first to third quarters reached 9.7 trillion won, up 17.3% from the same period last year. Fund formation, which had been declining since 2022, rebounded.
The private sector accounted for 83% of total commitments, driving the uptrend. Commitments from pension funds and mutual aid associations came to 837 billion won, a record high.
An analysis of venture capital companies and partnership investments found that 13 non-capital region corporations attracted investments of 10 billion won or more in the first to third quarters this year.
Five bio corporations, including CellackBio, Trioor, and Sovargen, and five corporations in the electrical, machinery, and equipment sectors, including Lion Robotics and Nexensor, were included. These corporations drew large investments after their technological prowess and growth potential were recognized.
Minister Han Seong-sook of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) said, "It is a noteworthy achievement that both venture investment and fund formation increased by double digits."
She added, "Outside the capital region, various industries such as bio and robotics are growing, so investment in local areas needs to be further strengthened to broaden the industrial base," and noted, "The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) will build on this momentum and prepare within the year the 'Leap to the world's top four venture powerhouses' plan to create a 40 trillion won venture investment market."