이 기사는 2021년 08월 04일 08시05분 thebell에 표출된 기사입니다

Kakao Mobility, which is equipped with plenty of cash from investors, is expanding its presence into the telephone designated-driving space.

CMNP, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kakao Corp’s mobility arm, raised 78 billion won ($67.9 million) in equity from its parent company, according to its regulatory filing. The investment was more than six times the company’s total assets of 12.8 billion won at the end of 2020.

Kakao Mobility launched CMNP in 2019 to acquire Callmaner, a software solution for allocating customers to drivers, for 4.3 billion won. CMNP recorded revenue of 3.1 billion won and a net loss of 200 million won in 2020.

The company refused to disclose detailed information on where the proceeds went, but said the money will be used for new businesses.

Kakao Mobility’s investment in CMNP seems to be aimed at expanding its share in the designated-driving service market.

CMNP recently agreed to set up joint venture K Drive with Korea Drive, South Korea’s largest telephone designated-driver service known for its phone number 1577-1577. Discussions for the partnership began as Korea Drive earlier this year started to use Callmaner’s software program.

This partnership, combined with Kakao Mobility’s mobile app Kakao T, is likely to help the mobility company further enhance its presence in the designated-driving space.

The stake split between CMNP and Korea Drive is not known. But it is likely CMNP has control of K Drive given that Kakao Mobility’s chief financial officer was named as head of the joint venture.

“We decided to form a joint venture with Korea Drive through CMNP for an effective partnership,” said a Kakao Mobility representative. “We are always open to other designated-driving service providers seeking to enhance customer satisfaction.”

Kakao Mobility has been aggressively investing in various mobility areas, with many investors backing the company. Its investors include Carlyle Group, Google, Mobility Holdings, LG, GS Caltex and GS Energy. (Reporting by Seul-gi Kim)