The Korea Venture Capital Association (hereinafter referred to as the VC Association, Chairman Yoon Geon-soo) , the Venture Business Association ( Chairman Sung Sang-yeop), the Korean Women's Venture Association ( Chairman Yoon Mi-ok), the Early-stage Investment Accelerator Association (Chairman Jeon Hwa-seong) , and the Korea Startup Forum (Chairman Han Sang-woo) held the '2025 Innovative Venture Industry New Year's Greeting' at the L Tower in Yangjae-dong, Seoul on the 22nd. This year, the Korea Startup Forum participated as a co-host for the first time, adding more meaning to the event for the expansion and growth of the industry.
The New Year's greetings, which pledged growth and mutual cooperation in the venture industry to welcome the new year of Eulsa, were attended by approximately 180 people, including Vice Minister of SMEs and Startups Kim Seong-seop, heads of the Innovation Venture Association, member companies of the five hosting organizations, venture businesspeople, and officials from related organizations, and were held under the theme of 'sustainability,' a core value in the new normal era.
The event, held under the slogan, “Republic of Korea leaping forward with sustainable venture innovation!”, consisted of a welcoming speech by VC Association Chairman Yoon Geon-soo, an innovation venture vision forum, a congratulatory speech by Vice Minister Kim Seong-seop, a New Year’s ceremony, and lunch.
In his welcoming speech, VC Association Chairman Yoon Geon-soo said, “The reality is that the growth gap between venture capital and venture companies is widening due to internal and external uncertainties, but if we aim for global standards beyond the domestic market, we will be able to naturally overcome difficulties.” He added, “I hope that this year will be a year in which we transform, take on new challenges, and achieve success, like a green snake that sheds its old skin and grows.”
Seong Sang-yeop, chairman of the Korea Venture Business Association, said, “This era is calling for ventures once again,” and added, “This year, in a situation where the domestic and international corporate environments are worsening, will be a turning point to overcome the current difficulties and lead a new leap forward for the Republic of Korea through the unique innovation capabilities of venture companies. As we mark the 30th anniversary of the founding of the association, we will make this a meaningful year in which we design the future of our venture companies to leap forward as the world’s best innovation powerhouse.”
Yoon Mi-ok, the president of the Korea Women Venture Association, said, “In order to overcome the crisis caused by the ongoing domestic and international economic downturn, the role of innovative venture companies is more important than ever,” and added, “I hope that we can move forward globally to find new growth opportunities and have more active exchanges and cooperation. I hope that 2025 will be a year in which we work together for a new future.”
The president of the Korea Startup Accelerator Association, Jeon Hwa-seong, said, “In the past few years, our country’s startup ecosystem has not been able to overcome the harsh winter, and in a situation where uncertainty has increased, the survival of startups will be the most important virtue this year,” and “The role of accelerators, which are responsible for the early growth of startups, which are the core of the future economy of the Republic of Korea, is very important.” He added, “I hope that close communication and cooperation between innovative venture industries will continue to foster a sustainable startup ecosystem.”
Han Sang-woo, chairman of the Korea Startup Forum, said, “It is a difficult time, but entrepreneurs must be prepared to continue fierce challenges and innovations. I believe that if we maintain the spirit of taking initiative and not losing our subjectivity no matter what situation arises, we will be able to encounter new opportunities and success. We will also do our best to provide full support and assistance so that the entire startup ecosystem can overcome difficulties together and focus on the essence.”
At the Innovation Venture Vision Forum, the heads of the five hosting organizations and Venture Policy Officer Bong-Deok Kim discussed public-private cooperation measures for a sustainable venture ecosystem. The five heads of the hosting organizations first represented the industry and announced this year’s key projects and collaboration plans, including ▲ establishing a legal basis for allowing retirement pension venture fund investment, ▲ preparing policy alternatives to restore venture liquidity and abolishing vested interests of legal and institutional regulations and local economy-based professional organizations, ▲ strengthening the global expansion capabilities of women’s venture companies and establishing a foundation, ▲ creating a startup investment ecosystem with self-reliance and policy proposals for the sustainable growth of accelerators and solidarity and cooperation between associations and organizations, ▲ promoting the growth of innovative startups and creating a local and global cooperation ecosystem, and sought directions for cooperation.
The government’s response to the private venture industry’s cooperation plan followed. Lim Jeong-wook, director of the Startup and Venture Innovation Office at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, said, “Our country’s greatest resource is the people armed with innovation and passion,” and “The Ministry of SMEs and Startups will spare no effort in providing practical support so that the venture and startup ecosystem where these people gather can grow even faster and lead the global economy beyond Korea.”
- See more related articles
You must be logged in to post a comment.