South Korean tech giant Naver is making its boldest move yet into the global startup ecosystem with the launch of Naver Ventures, a new investment arm headquartered in Silicon Valley. The company unveiled this strategic initiative at the “Venturing NAVER’s Next Chapter” networking event held May 5th at the Four Seasons Hotel in Silicon Valley.

The high-profile gathering brought together Naver’s top leadership, including Board Chairman Hae-jin Lee, CEO Choi Soo-yeon, and Head of Strategic Investment Kim Nam-sun, alongside Silicon Valley’s most influential entrepreneurs. Nearly 200 members of the Valley’s tech ecosystem attended, featuring prominent Korean-American founders such as Sendbird CEO Kim Dong-shin, Moloco CEO Ahn Ik-jin, Datarize CEO Kim Sung-moo, and Liner CEO Kim Jin-woo.

Strategic Vision for Global Expansion

“Silicon Valley represents the epicenter of technological innovation, where the world’s brightest minds and most cutting-edge technologies converge,” explained Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon. “In today’s challenging funding environment, where startups are struggling to secure capital, we want to play the same pivotal role in North America that we’ve established in Korea—ensuring promising companies can access stable investment to accelerate their technological development and business growth.”

Chairman Lee Hae-jin emphasized the company’s commitment to fostering diversity in the AI revolution. “Naver will identify and invest in the most promising startups and entrepreneurs, supporting their growth while sharing our expertise to create an AI ecosystem where diversity truly thrives,” he stated.

The event featured a panel discussion on artificial intelligence, with participation from Naver’s Kim Nam-sun, Netflix Chief Product Officer Eunice Kim, and Twelve Labs CEO Lee Jae-sung, highlighting the collaborative spirit driving Silicon Valley’s innovation culture.

Proven Track Record Fuels Expansion

Naver’s Silicon Valley venture builds on an impressive foundation of startup investment success in Korea. The company’s D2SF investment arm recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, announcing remarkable achievements: 115 startup investments over the past decade with a combined enterprise value reaching 5.2 trillion KRW (approximately $4 billion). This represents a four-fold increase from the 1.3 trillion KRW valuation recorded in 2021, demonstrating Naver’s ability to identify and nurture high-growth companies.

First Investment Signals AI Focus

Naver Ventures is expected to complete its formal establishment this month under the leadership of Kim Nam-sun. The venture’s inaugural investment will be in Twelve Labs, a globally recognized video AI startup that has attracted significant attention in the Valley. The company has secured over $100 million in total funding, including a substantial $30 million round completed last December.

This strategic first investment signals Naver’s intent to focus on AI-driven companies that align with its core technological competencies and long-term vision for artificial intelligence.

Looking Ahead

Through Naver Ventures, the company aims to engage with startups across diverse industries and nationalities throughout Silicon Valley, positioning itself at the forefront of global technology trends. The initiative represents a concrete step toward realizing CEO Choi Soo-yeon’s strategic objectives for her second term: aggressive global expansion and enhanced AI competitiveness.

“We expect to generate significant new growth opportunities through synergies with innovative technologies, exceptional talent, and strategic partners,” the company stated, signaling ambitious plans for the venture’s future development.

As Silicon Valley continues to serve as the world’s premier startup ecosystem, Naver’s entry marks a significant milestone for Korean tech companies seeking to establish meaningful presence in the global innovation landscape.