"Naver has started with technology, grown with technology, and possesses a technological DNA. Since its inception, Naver D2SF has shared not only funding but also infrastructure and various know-how with 115 startups over the past 10 years, growing together with them."
Seo Soo-yeon, CEO of Naver, noted on the 13th through a message marking the 10th anniversary of corporate venture capital (CVC) D2SF that, "Naver D2SF is an activity of great significance for Naver, which started as a startup and grew into the largest internet corporation in South Korea." Seo added, "Startups that have received investment from D2SF have become important collaboration partners and have grown into companies that showcase Korean IT technology to the world." She further stated, "Naver D2SF has also been able to secure a broader perspective on technology and the domestic IT ecosystem, achieving technical synergies with excellent startup partners."
Naver announced that D2SF presented its investment achievements over the past 10 years on this day, saying, "We will continue to discover and invest in excellent domestic tech startups." A total of 115 teams have been invested in by Naver D2SF over the past 10 years, with 99% of them being in the seed or Series A stage at the time of investment. The corporate value of the startups invested in by Naver D2SF is currently around 5.2 trillion won, growing about fourfold compared to 2021 (70 teams), with 64% having pursued specific collaborations with Naver.
Yang Sang-hwan, head of Naver D2SF, said at the 10th anniversary roundtable event held in Gangnam, Seocho District, Seoul, "Even if there is no immediate point of collaboration, we have a high ratio of investments in early-stage startups (seed to Series A) with excellent technology," which he described as "the unique distinction of D2SF." He explained that Naver D2SF has focused its investments on pioneers in various technologies and industries who are making new attempts in AI, virtual, robotics, and more.
Yang added, "Despite high uncertainty, we are recording an overwhelming survival rate of 96%," noting that "the period from seed stage to pre-A has been recorded at 18 months, indicating robust growth."
Naver D2SF has proven its vision by investing in companies such as 'FuriosaAI', which designed the first artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor chip in Korea; 'CLOBOT', the first robot software (SW) company to go public; and 'Crowdworks', the first AI data platform to be listed. Naver D2SF continues to provide office space and cloud infrastructure after investments and regularly implements various value-up and community programs.
Yang stated, "81% of the invested startups are actively advancing into global markets," adding that "Naver D2SF also expanded its activities to Silicon Valley in the United States last October." He further noted, "Numerous startups that have grown alongside us now have an awareness of the crisis that they can only survive by growing beyond domestic boundaries to the global market after 10 years."