Tuesday, April 21, 2026: In a major vote of confidence in India’s fast-evolving startup ecosystem, South Korean tech heavyweights KRAFTON Incand Naver Corporation have teamed up with Mirae Asset Venture Investments to roll out a massive ₹6,000 crore fund aimed at backing the country’s next wave of unicorns.
The initiative, formally unveiled during high-level discussions attended by Piyush Goyal and South Korea’s trade minister Jung-Kwan Kim, signals deepening economic collaboration between the two nations. The announcement coincided with the official India visit of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who held strategic talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior cabinet leaders.
While the groundwork for the fund had been laid last year, this formal launch underscores growing global interest in India as a technology and innovation powerhouse.
South Korea Bets Big on India’s AI, Deep Tech Startup Future
The fund will be steered by Mirae Asset’s venture arm, which will not only manage investments but also act as a strategic advisor. According to its India CEO Puneet Kumar, the country is entering a decisive phase where locally built companies are poised to compete on a global stage.
Rather than casting a wide net, the fund is sharply focused on sectors expected to define the future of India’s digital economy. These include consumer internet platforms, online marketplaces, digitally native consumer brands, artificial intelligence-driven software, and cutting-edge deep-tech ventures spanning semiconductors, robotics, space technology, and advanced materials.
For Naver, the move is a natural extension of its ambition to nurture globally competitive AI-led businesses. CEO Soo-yeon Choi highlighted India’s unique blend of talent and scale, positioning it as fertile ground for the next generation of tech disruptors.
Meanwhile, KRAFTON is looking beyond its gaming roots, viewing India not just as a lucrative market but as an emerging hub for game development and digital creation. CEO CH Kim emphasized the country’s transition from being largely consumption-driven to becoming a creator-led economy, especially in gaming and interactive entertainment.
Unlike early-stage venture bets, this fund will primarily target growth-stage startups, companies that have already proven their business models and are now gearing up for rapid expansion.
With ₹6,000 crore on the table and strategic backing from global tech leaders, the message is clear: India’s startup story is no longer just local, it is becoming a global force in the making.
