The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) and Korea Venture Investment Corp. (KVIC) held the "2026 First Fund of Funds Policy Forum" at The Westin Josun Seoul Parnas hotel in Samseong-dong, Seoul, on Wednesday, discussing ways to globalize the venture ecosystem and revitalize regional venture ecosystems with private-sector experts.
The forum was attended by key venture ecosystem leaders including Noh Yong-seok, First Vice Minister of SMEs and Startups, Lee Dae-hee, CEO of Korea Venture Investment Corp., as well as representatives from domestic venture capital firms, startups, and academia.
The first session focused on the current state of globalization in venture investment and institutional improvements. Participants agreed that overseas startups by Korean entrepreneurs should be encouraged to connect Korean ventures and startups at home and abroad to the global stage, attract foreign investment, and enable early entry into global markets.
In particular, participants reached a consensus that the Fund of Funds should expand its domestic and international investment networks and strengthen its role as a catalyst for long-term investment, so that deep tech ventures and startups can establish themselves as unicorns and big tech players on the global stage.
Participants also suggested that the criteria for recognizing overseas-incorporated startups should be reformed to focus on actual contributions to the domestic economy rather than formal requirements such as corporate registration location and domestic employment. To this end, institutional reforms were discussed in depth, including simplifying document submission requirements and streamlining administrative procedures and timelines to enable venture capital firms to proactively invest in high-growth overseas-incorporated startups.
The second session addressed the Fund of Funds' role and strategies for revitalizing regional venture investment ecosystems. Participants agreed that the Fund of Funds should expand its role in building investment infrastructure, including strengthening networks between regional ventures, startups, and venture capital firms, and providing regional venture investment information to dramatically increase the share of regional investment going forward.
"The Fund of Funds has established itself as a solid pillar and growth engine of the venture investment ecosystem," First Vice Minister Noh said. "Based on voices from the field, we will refine the Fund of Funds' investment strategies, including supplying long-term patient capital, so that deep tech ventures and startups can grow on the global stage. At the same time, we will strengthen the Fund of Funds' functions and role so that community members including corporations, universities, and banks can experience venture investment and share in investment returns."