On the 10th, Sopung Ventures announced that its Investment Division 1 was selected as the general operator of 'Scale-up Tips (Tech Investor Program for Scale-up)', and its Investment Division 2 was selected as the operator of 'LIPS (Lifestyle Branding Program for Small brand)'.
After participating as a TIPS operator in 2021, Sopung Ventures was selected as a specialized TIPS operator for the climate tech sector in 2025. With this additional selection as an operator for both programs, Sopung Ventures expands its growth support system, which supports both technology startups and local businesses.
Scale-Up Tips is a program that utilizes the expertise of private investment firms to discover small and medium-sized venture companies with high growth potential and supports the growth and business expansion of technology-based companies by linking private investment with government research and development (R&D) funds.
LIPS is a program that identifies small business owners who create new content focused on lifestyle and local innovation, and supports their growth into entrepreneurial small business owners. Its unique feature is that it matches private investment with government funding (loans and subsidies) to establish a foundation for business growth.
Sopung Ventures recognizes the different growth paths of technology-based and regionally-based companies, implementing distinct support strategies. Investment Division 1 focuses on large-scale investments and rapid market expansion for technology-focused startups, while Investment Division 2 supports regionally-based companies in building stable revenue structures by leveraging local networks and capital.
Additionally, Sopung Connect, a subsidiary established in 2025, is responsible for discovering and nurturing aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage companies through startup competitions and open innovation programs. Since then, Sopung Ventures has been strengthening its support system, encompassing startups from the early stages through to the growth stage, by supporting follow-up investments and business expansion.
Going forward, Sopung Ventures plans to operate support programs centered around TIPS and Scaleup TIPS for technology startups and LIPS for regional startups. The company aims to support the growth of promising companies through a variety of tailored support methods, including developing growth strategies, connecting with global networks, and leveraging local hubs.
“Technology companies and regional companies have different growth rates and methods,” said Sangyeop Han, CEO of Sopung Ventures. “We will continue to foster competitive companies in the climate tech sector and local industries by separating the roles of our investment organization and operating a full-cycle support system linked to Sopung Connect.”
Recently, the venture capital industry has been expanding its support for startups, diversifying the scope of startup support, with programs focused on fostering not only technology startups but also local small businesses and brands.
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