South Korean companies are increasingly establishing their presence in India’s rapidly  expanding startup ecosystem, spanning sectors from gaming and digital content to  artificial intelligence and fintech. In a notable development, gaming powerhouse  Krafton has teamed up with Korean internet leader Naver and financial services firm  Mirae Asset to create a substantial investment vehicle focused on nurturing the next  generation of unicorns in India. 

Introducing the Rs 6,000 Crore Unicorn Growth Fund 

The newly unveiled Unicorn Growth Fund is set to have a total corpus of Rs 6,000 crore,  with operations slated to commence in January 2026. The initial deployment will  amount to Rs 3,000 crore, primarily aimed at growth-stage technology startups,  especially those on the brink of achieving unicorn status, referred to as “soonicorns.” 

Krafton India’s CEO, Sean Hyunil Sohn, emphasized that while the fund will explore  opportunities across Asia, India will be the focal point of its investment strategy. 

Key Players Behind the Fund 

Krafton and Naver will each contribute around Rs 1,230 crore to the Korea-based fund,  participating as limited partners. Mirae Asset Venture India will serve as the fund  manager and will also invest capital, albeit at a slightly lower level than its two partners. 

Mirae Asset brings a wealth of experience, having co-managed the Mirae Asset–Naver  Asia Growth Fund, which has previously supported Indian startups like Zomato,  BigBasket, ShareChat, Shadowfax, and KreditBee.

Flexible Investment Approach with AI at the Forefront 

The fund will target investments across various sectors, including AI, fintech, digital  content (including gaming), logistics, and other innovation-driven fields. According to  Sohn, the investment strategy will remain adaptable as AI continues to revolutionize  industries at a rapid pace. “AI will transform multiple sectors over the next one to two  years, so we want to stay flexible,” he remarked. 

Enhancing Indo-Korean Tech Collaboration 

The launch of this fund aligns with Krafton’s broader vision of facilitating the entry of  Korean tech companies into India, which is now one of the largest and most vibrant tech  markets globally. Naver, often dubbed the “Google of South Korea,” is also intensifying  its focus on India. The company has recently established a new tech business division  targeting India and Spain, aiming to leverage its strengths in platforms, content, cloud,  and AI. 

Krafton’s Growing Investment Presence in India 

Since 2021, Krafton has invested over $200 million in Indian startups across gaming,  esports, digital media, fintech, and consumer technology. Its portfolio includes notable  companies such as JetSynthesys, Nodwin Gaming, Pratilipi, Kuku FM, Cashfree, FRND, and One Impression. Additionally, Krafton has partnered with investment firms like IMM  Investment and continues to allocate $50 million annually to the Indian market. 

Expanding Horizons Beyond Gaming 

While gaming remains central to Krafton’s identity, the Unicorn Growth Fund will enable  the company to diversify into a wider array of high-growth technology sectors, bolstered  by Naver’s platform expertise and Mirae Asset’s capital management skills. Together,  these three firms aim to forge long-term strategic partnerships, accelerate innovation,  and play a pivotal role in shaping the next wave of tech champions in India.