이 기사는 2019년 12월 18일 08:00 thebell 에 표출된 기사입니다.

With South Korea's venture capital (VC) firms speeding up investments in venture companies abroad, each firm is executing one’s own strategy.

Atinum Investment has participated in the Primer Sazze Fund, which was launched by Primer Sazze Partners, according to venture capital industry sources on December 13. Atinum invested in around 560 million won to hold 7.55 percent stake in the fund.

Primer Sazze Partners is a VC firm jointly formed by Silicon Valley-based Sazze Partners and Korea’s first accelerator Primer in 2018. Sazze Partners and Primer have invested in around 170 start-ups that have growth potential, including Daily Hotel, Style Share, Hogang Nono and Rael.

“We have participated in a fund created by famous promising managers as an investor over the last few years. Some funds were launched in a form of fund of funds. We contribute to the growth of overseas investment while building networks abroad,” said an Atinum official.

Prior to the latest investment, Atinum invested in Vertex Ventures SEA Fund Ⅲ to hold 1.19 percent stake. Vertex Ventures SEA Fund Ⅲ was formed by Vertex Ventures, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings’ subsidiary. Atinum also put money to have 3.12 percent stake in Tech Council Ventures II-AI, which was created by U.S.-based Tech Council Ventures.

Recently, Mirae Asset Venture Investment invested in Capital III, a VC fund created by China-based Joy Capital. The firm also invested in Quest Venture Partners Fund III, which was created early this year by Singapore’s Quest Ventures.

The number of cases where domestic firms join hands with foreign VC firms as co-general partner (GP) has been increased recently. KB Investment, a subsidiary of KB Financial Group, has agreed to create a joint investment fund called Centauri with Telkom, an Indonesian telecom group. The launch of Centauri Fund is a commitment by both Telkom Group and KB Investment with the aim of expanding their horizons deeper into the Southeast Asian tech ecosystem, as well as supporting Indonesia and the regional startup space.

Intervest has joined hands with Southeast Asian VC firm Kejora Ventures to create and manage InterVest Star Southeast Asia Growth Fund I.

Korea Investment Partners has put efforts to seek investee companies and build overseas networks by establishing local offices. The firm established its Singapore office in November and is currently working to obtain a Venture Capital Fund Manager (VCFM) license. Korea Investment Partners is operating four offices in China - Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu and Guangzhou. It established its office in Silicon Valley, U.S.

STIC Ventures runs offices in China, Vietnam, India and Indonesia to enhance its foreign investments.

Despite different investment strategy, most of domestic VC firms are focusing on Southeast Asian market, especially Vietnam, Indonesia and India. With the smartphone distribution rate rapidly growing, start-ups with new business model are increasing the demand for funds.

“To increase investments in strategically-growing regions, foreign networks are necessary. Amid different preferences, domestic VC firms put in their money through diverse forms of investments,” said a VC official.

(By reporter Ahn Kyung-ju)