Kakao Ventures

Kakao Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Seoul, South Korea. Founded in 2012, it focuses on deep technology, services, digital healthcare, and games, and is described as a founder-friendly seed-stage investor. It operates as an independent subsidiary of Kakao Corp that manages external funds raised from limited partners.

Anne Ahn

Senior Associate

Eddie Chang

Executive Director

Mike Cho

Senior Associate

Andy Choi

Associate

Jade Chung

Senior Associate

Shin-ah Chung

CEO and Partner

Aiden Jang

Principal Associate

Brian Jang

Executive Director

Jade Jung

Senior Associate

Jacob Kim

Principal Associate

Jun Kim

CEO / Partner

Kim Chi-won

Executive Director, Managing Director and Partner

Zero Kim

Associate

Kim Ki-Jun

CEO and Partner

Justin Shin

Senior Associate

Ryan Won

Managing Director

Past deals in Video Games

23rd Century Children

Seed Round in 2024
23rd Century Children is a Virtual entertainment startup. 23rd Century Kids is developing virtual artists for fans to interact with in various environments, using real-time motion capture rendering and toon shading for a cartoon-like feel.

GPUN

Seed Round in 2024
GPUN is a technology company that operates a game development platform. This platform empowers individuals to create and publish their own games, with a focus on mobile gaming. GPUN's flagship game, a subculture mechanic shooting game, immerses players in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity must fight to reclaim Earth from alien invaders, providing engaging and fun gaming experiences.

Sandy Floor

Seed Round in 2024
Sandy Floor is a multiplayer games platform. It develops of casual fun games.

Polestar Games

Seed Round in 2023
Polestar Games is a developer of online gaming platforms, specializing in creating massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) that cater to both PC and console gamers. Their flagship project, 'Project N', is an open-world, medieval dark fantasy game. Despite industry skepticism about the feasibility of AAA-level MMORPGs supporting both platforms, Polestar Games aims to bridge this gap, offering a unique and engaging gaming experience for a wider audience.

Dremo

Funding Round in 2023
Dremo's challenge is to extend the value of gaming to millions of people throughout the world by creating games that are enjoyable for family and friends. It eagerly await your participation in the challenge!

AFI

Series A in 2022
AFI is a server solution that provides the features specific to games and the post-release operating console.

VAGames

Seed Round in 2022
VAGames is a developer of mobile games targeting subculture enthusiasts. It specializes in creating character-collection strategy RPGs, leveraging 3D cartoon rendering graphics for an immersive gaming experience. The company partners with Smilegate Mega Port for game publishing.

Lunimedia

Series A in 2020
Lunimedia Corporation is a Seoul-based company established in 2017 that specializes in digital distribution for PC games in South Korea. Through its platform, Lunipark, the company connects PC game developers with a network of PC cafes across the nation, facilitating the distribution of various games that are often challenging to market. This platform caters specifically to the B2B sector, allowing PC cafes to offer gamers low-cost and efficient access to a wide range of video games, thereby enhancing the gaming experience in a concentrated gamer environment.

NYOU

Series B in 2019
NYOU is a game development studio that creates and publishes games for recreational use. It develops titles intended for entertainment and engagement, including a massively multiplayer online role-playing game set in a medieval world that evolves according to players' in-game decisions, delivering dynamic content and ongoing player-driven experiences.

Lunimedia

Venture Round in 2019
Lunimedia Corporation is a Seoul-based company established in 2017 that specializes in digital distribution for PC games in South Korea. Through its platform, Lunipark, the company connects PC game developers with a network of PC cafes across the nation, facilitating the distribution of various games that are often challenging to market. This platform caters specifically to the B2B sector, allowing PC cafes to offer gamers low-cost and efficient access to a wide range of video games, thereby enhancing the gaming experience in a concentrated gamer environment.

NYOU

Series A in 2018
NYOU is a game development studio that creates and publishes games for recreational use. It develops titles intended for entertainment and engagement, including a massively multiplayer online role-playing game set in a medieval world that evolves according to players' in-game decisions, delivering dynamic content and ongoing player-driven experiences.

Nerd Games

Seed Round in 2017
Nerd Games is a mobile game creator that aims to transform the way people play games. They provide games such as action games with real-time siege, allowing gamers to experience a new manner of playing action games.

Fincon

Venture Round in 2017
Fincon is a developer of online gaming platforms that specializes in creating cartoon-style real-time strategy games. The company focuses on delivering an immersive gaming experience across multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops. Notably, Fincon has earned recognition for its contributions to the mobile gaming industry, with a strong emphasis on user engagement and loyalty. One of its flagship titles, "Hello Hero," gained significant popularity, reaching the top ranks in various app stores and maintaining a high level of concurrent users. The company's innovative approach and commitment to quality have positioned it as a key player in the gaming sector, appealing to a broad audience of game enthusiasts.

Playsnak

Seed Round in 2016
Playsnak GmbH, established in 2015, is a global gaming company headquartered in Berlin, Germany, with operations in Los Angeles, California. It specializes in publishing mobile games, including self-developed first-party titles and those from international mobile game developers. Additionally, Playsnak produces and publishes virtual reality and puzzle games, aiming to build a next-generation gaming company that caters to the evolving global gaming market, particularly the shift towards immersive VR and AR experiences.

Saltlab

Series B in 2016
Saltlab a first person shooting game developer.

Shift Up

Venture Round in 2016
Shift Up is a game design and development studio founded in 2013 by art director Kim Hyeong-tae. The company specializes in various aspects of game production, including the creation of promotional videos and music. With a strong emphasis on illustrations and robust planning and programming skills, Shift Up aims to deliver high-quality gaming experiences.

CwaveSoft

Series A in 2016
CwaveSoft Inc. is a South Korean company founded in 2013, specializing in the development of online games. Established by a former head director of a prominent gaming firm, CwaveSoft operates an online gaming studio that focuses on creating action games. The company aims to provide an entertaining experience for gamers through innovative and challenging gameplay, allowing game developers to concentrate on various PC genres. Based in Seoul, CwaveSoft is committed to enhancing the online gaming landscape.

PlayHard

Seed Round in 2016
PlayHard is an indie game development company founded by CEO Jung-Hyeok Shin and Art Director Gi-Ho Jeong, specializing in creating engaging mobile games. The company focuses on blending fun elements within a unique framework tailored for indie gaming. PlayHard aims to provide accessible entertainment through its action and strategy-based game offerings. One of its notable projects is "Red Bros," a casual role-playing game that features touch-friendly drag and drop functionality, allowing players to strategize and engage in battles against mercenary and native forces. With a commitment to delivering fun and immersive experiences, PlayHard seeks to captivate mobile gamers with its innovative approach to game design.

V8 Games

Seed Round in 2016
V8 Games, founded in 2015 and based in Seoul, South Korea, specializes in developing mobile games. The company focuses on creating casual social networking games and has a team composed of key personnel from Party Games. V8 Games offers titles such as "Minion Forest," which are accessible across various platforms, allowing players to fully engage in immersive gaming experiences.

KoKomo Games

Series B in 2016
KoKomo Games is a South Korean company founded in 2014, specializing in the design and development of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs). Based in Seoul, the company is composed of a team with extensive experience in the gaming industry, having previously developed and launched successful titles such as Lineage2 and Blade&Soul. Unlike the current trend towards trading card and midcore RPG games, KoKomo Games aims to focus on the hardcore RPG genre, which they view as an untapped market. The company is committed to creating a flagship mobile MMORPG that appeals to gamers in Asia, leveraging the shared characteristics and interests of these audiences with those in Korea. KoKomo Games seeks to enhance the overall gaming experience by providing interactive, real-time multiplayer games that are rich in narrative and strategic elements.

MOAIGAMES

Series B in 2016
MOAIGAMES is a gaming platform that offers role-playing mobile and video games.

Moai Games

Series A in 2016
Moai Games is a gaming company that offers video and PC games.

Still8

Series B in 2016
In the early days of E-Sports, unrivaled skills and overflowing enthusiasm towards games were the only two requisites to become a professional gamer. Nowadays with the rise of global E-Sports fandoms, performance became only one of many requisites of a pro-gamer. Fans are connected to pro-gamers everywhere through various channels such as SNS and live & video platforms. In order to satisfy their needs and be loved by them, a professional gamer needs more than just playing games. E-Sportainment is the compound word of E-Sports and Entertainment. It’s the most explicit and mission-oriented word to describe what STILL8 does. Combining entertainment factors with E-Sports, we help current pro-gamers to boost their talents and retired pro-gamers to sustain their career. Playing games is one part, amusing fans with various entertainments is another. As so, STILL8 ultimately pursues the E-Sports of the gamer, by the gamer, and for the gamer.

Affinity Corporation

Seed Round in 2015
Affinity Corporation is a company specializing in mobile gaming developement designed to optimize the user's gaming experience.

Still8

Series A in 2015
In the early days of E-Sports, unrivaled skills and overflowing enthusiasm towards games were the only two requisites to become a professional gamer. Nowadays with the rise of global E-Sports fandoms, performance became only one of many requisites of a pro-gamer. Fans are connected to pro-gamers everywhere through various channels such as SNS and live & video platforms. In order to satisfy their needs and be loved by them, a professional gamer needs more than just playing games. E-Sportainment is the compound word of E-Sports and Entertainment. It’s the most explicit and mission-oriented word to describe what STILL8 does. Combining entertainment factors with E-Sports, we help current pro-gamers to boost their talents and retired pro-gamers to sustain their career. Playing games is one part, amusing fans with various entertainments is another. As so, STILL8 ultimately pursues the E-Sports of the gamer, by the gamer, and for the gamer.

Saltlab

Seed Round in 2015
Saltlab a first person shooting game developer.

Paranoid Joy

Seed Round in 2015
The paranoid joy team is led by the chief executive officer ‘Kang Ji Hoon’ who was a former representative of ‘Webzen Ymir games’. The team consists of key members who have worked together at Neowiz Games, Webzen, Ymir, acquired by Webzen. They launched a mobile turn based strategy RPG titled ‘Demigod War’ in late 2014. It is now available in about 132 countries.

Popjoy Games

Seed Round in 2015
Popjoy Games is a mobile gaming company based in Seoul, South Korea, specializing in the development of real-time multiplayer games. The company focuses on engaging players globally through its offerings, which include titles such as Demi God War, Yoda Devasangra, and Cartoon Network Arena. Popjoy Games integrates advanced AI game server technology in its mobile platforms to facilitate seamless real-time player-versus-player battles across various arenas. This innovative approach allows users to connect, compete, and form a community with other gamers worldwide, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

KoKomo Games

Series A in 2015
KoKomo Games is a South Korean company founded in 2014, specializing in the design and development of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs). Based in Seoul, the company is composed of a team with extensive experience in the gaming industry, having previously developed and launched successful titles such as Lineage2 and Blade&Soul. Unlike the current trend towards trading card and midcore RPG games, KoKomo Games aims to focus on the hardcore RPG genre, which they view as an untapped market. The company is committed to creating a flagship mobile MMORPG that appeals to gamers in Asia, leveraging the shared characteristics and interests of these audiences with those in Korea. KoKomo Games seeks to enhance the overall gaming experience by providing interactive, real-time multiplayer games that are rich in narrative and strategic elements.

Supreme Games

Seed Round in 2015
Supreme Games is a mobile game developer with a team comprising experienced professionals from leading South Korean game companies, including Webzen, Neowiz, and NC-Soft. The company specializes in creating role-playing games (RPGs) that feature real-time action gameplay, allowing players to switch weapons dynamically based on the battlefield context. This design aims to enhance player immersion and competitiveness on a global scale. Supreme Games excels particularly in art and animation, which are considered core competencies in developing engaging action RPGs. With over a decade of industry experience among its members, the company is well-positioned to deliver innovative gaming experiences that resonate with players.

A33 Studio

Seed Round in 2014
A-33 Studio team is led by the chief executive officer ‘Kim Dong Sun’ who was in charge of the development, launch and operation of ‘Counter Strike Online’ which is one of the top 3 online FPS games in Korea. The team consists of developers who have worked together for ‘CS Online’ and ‘Combat Arms’ at Nexon, one of the top online game makers in the world.

Cocoon Games

Seed Round in 2014
Cocoon Games is a gaming company that specializes in the development of mobile games. The company focuses on creating core strategy genre games, allowing players to engage in interactive gaming experiences at their convenience. By emphasizing mobile platforms, Cocoon Games aims to reach a broad audience of gamers who seek accessible and immersive gameplay, catering to the growing demand for high-quality mobile entertainment.

Howling Soft

Seed Round in 2014
Howling Soft is a game startup.

Red Sahara Studio

Seed Round in 2014
Red Sahara Studio is a mobile game development company based in Seongnam-si, South Korea. It focuses on creating a diverse range of engaging games aimed at providing enjoyment to players. The studio specializes in both single and multiplayer battle games, offering features such as auto and manual modes, along with character customization options. This design approach allows players to fully immerse themselves in virtual combat experiences. As a subsidiary of Krafton Inc., Red Sahara Studio is positioned within a dynamic gaming market, contributing to the evolution of mobile entertainment.

Cherry Bugs

Angel Round in 2014
The Cherry Bugs team consists of six experienced developers who worked together at WeMade Entertainment, one of Korea’s top game companies, for many years and produced award-winning games. CEO Chul Ho Jung was the Section Chief of WeMade Entertainment’s graphics department, which had 120 graphic designers. His PC game ‘The Boss’ won the Grand Prize at the 2003 Korea Game Awards. Producer Hyun Jin Jang is a globally recognized animator who won 4th Place at Dominance War, the international game art competition.

O'ol Blue

Angel Round in 2013
O'ol Blue Inc. is a South Korean developer of mobile games, established in 2012. The company focuses on creating engaging gaming experiences, with notable products such as HunterHunter and Mighty Quest. O'ol Blue's games are designed to be compatible with various platforms, including iOS, Naver, and U+ devices, allowing users to compete with players worldwide. The organization aims to enhance the overall gaming experience by providing innovative and enjoyable gameplay.

Dryad

Seed Round in 2013
Dryad is a mobile game development platform based in South Korea, founded on May 18, 2012. The company specializes in creating online role-playing games (RPGs) aimed at users in the South Korean market. Through its innovative game development approach, Dryad seeks to engage players by providing immersive gaming experiences that cater to the preferences of local audiences.

Neptune

Pre Seed Round in 2012
Neptune Company, founded in 2012 and based in Seongnam, South Korea, specializes in the development of mobile games for smartphones and tablet PCs. The company operates as an online game center, providing services that support game developers in creating engaging mobile experiences. Neptune focuses on developing its own games while also acquiring intellectual properties across various genres, aiming to strengthen its portfolio and expand its presence in both the domestic and international gaming markets.

Fincon

Angel Round in 2012
Fincon is a developer of online gaming platforms that specializes in creating cartoon-style real-time strategy games. The company focuses on delivering an immersive gaming experience across multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops. Notably, Fincon has earned recognition for its contributions to the mobile gaming industry, with a strong emphasis on user engagement and loyalty. One of its flagship titles, "Hello Hero," gained significant popularity, reaching the top ranks in various app stores and maintaining a high level of concurrent users. The company's innovative approach and commitment to quality have positioned it as a key player in the gaming sector, appealing to a broad audience of game enthusiasts.
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