Latest news with #ChoiSoo-yeon
The Star
08-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Naver to establish US subsidiary for investment in local startups
SEOUL: South Korean tech giant Naver Corp. said Sunday (June 8) it will establish an investment-focused subsidiary in the United States to support promising local startups there. Naver plans to complete the process of launching the new entity, Naver Ventures, later this month in Silicon Valley, the company said in a press release. Naver Ventures has already selected Twelve Labs, a South Korean artificial intelligence (AI) startup with operations in the US, as its first investment target, the release said. Naver Ventures will be Naver's first overseas investment subsidiary, the company said. "Silicon Valley is a cradle of innovation where skilled professionals and cutting-edge technologies converge. That's why we chose it as the base for our first overseas investment firm," Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon said. In light of global economic uncertainty, startups are finding it increasingly difficult to attract investment. Naver aims to help these companies secure stable funding and continue developing their technologies and operations in the US market, she said. Naver founder Lee Hae-jin (pic) said: "Diversity is increasingly important in the AI era. That's why collaborations with a broad range of partners are essential for Naver." - The Korea Herald/ANN
Malaysian Reserve
08-06-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
NAVER Expands Startup Investments in Silicon Valley with the Planned Establishment of NAVER Ventures
– Key executives, including Founder Lee Hae-jin and CEO Choi Soo-yeon, engage in discussions with the local startup ecosystem– The new investment initiative will focus on investing in promising startups in North America, starting with video AI startup 'TwelveLabs'– NAVER has a strong track record of tech startup investments through its NAVER D2SF and is also known for acquiring Poshmark SEONGNAM, South Korea, June 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — NAVER Corporation (CEO Choi Soo-yeon) announced the planned establishment of 'NAVER Ventures,' its new global venture investment initiative in Silicon Valley. The launch marks a significant step in NAVER's strategy to expand its global footprint and foster innovation by investing in promising startups in North America. NAVER Ventures aims to build on NAVER's experience in supporting startups through its NAVER D2SF, which has invested numerous early-stage technology startups and supported their overseas expansion. The company also expanded its global portfolio by acquiring Poshmark, a leading U.S.-based social commerce platform, in 2023. As part of its commitment to the Silicon Valley ecosystem, NAVER Founder and Chairman Lee Hae-jin, CEO Choi Soo-yeon, and Kim Namsun, President of investments visited the region to engage directly with entrepreneurs, engineers, and investors. They hosted the 'Venturing NAVER's Next Chapter' networking event on June 5 at the Four Seasons Hotel, where they discussed NAVER's vision for supporting startups and fostering technological innovation. NAVER Ventures has confirmed its first investment in TwelveLabs, a video AI startup recognized for its innovative technology. The investment aligns with NAVER's focus on AI competitiveness and its strategy to collaborate with global startups to drive future growth. The new investment initiative, NAVER Ventures, overseen by Kim Namsun, is expected to complete its establishment process later this month. It will invest capital and expertise to help category-leading companies accelerate the growth of their businesses (/END) About NAVER Founded in 1999, NAVER is South Korea's largest Internet company and one of the world's leading technology companies. NAVER has grown into a global ICT company that leads in cutting-edge technologies and operates a diverse portfolio of businesses, including commerce, fintech, content, cloud services, AI, and robotics, as well as other global online services such as LINE mobile messenger, Webtoon and Webnovel publishing, SNOW video camera app and ZEPETO metaverse platform. NAVER is expanding its global footprint through strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as SoftBank, Poshmark, and Wattpad. Currently, TEAM NAVER strengthens business portfolios and expands its service regions, including Japan, North America, and Europe. In 2024, NAVER reported sales of KRW 10.74 trillion (approximately USD 7.5 billion) and NAVER is ranked as the 12th largest company in terms of market capitalization in Korea. To learn more, visit
Korea Herald
08-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Naver to establish US subsidiary for investment in local startups
South Korean tech giant Naver Corp. said Sunday it will establish an investment-focused subsidiary in the United States to support promising local startups there. Naver plans to complete the process of launching the new entity, Naver Ventures, later this month in Silicon Valley, the company said in a press release. Naver Ventures has already selected Twelve Labs, a South Korean artificial intelligence (AI) startup with operations in the US, as its first investment target, the release said. Naver Ventures will be Naver's first overseas investment subsidiary, the company said. "Silicon Valley is a cradle of innovation where skilled professionals and cutting-edge technologies converge. That's why we chose it as the base for our first overseas investment firm," Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon said. In light of global economic uncertainty, startups are finding it increasingly difficult to attract investment. Naver aims to help these companies secure stable funding and continue developing their technologies and operations in the US market, she said. Naver founder Lee Hae-jin said: "Diversity is increasingly important in the AI era. That's why collaborations with a broad range of partners are essential for Naver." (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
08-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
NAVER Expands Startup Investments in Silicon Valley with the Planned Establishment of NAVER Ventures
- Key executives, including Founder Lee Hae-jin and CEO Choi Soo-yeon, engage in discussions with the local startup ecosystem - The new investment initiative will focus on investing in promising startups in North America, starting with video AI startup 'TwelveLabs' - NAVER has a strong track record of tech startup investments through its NAVER D2SF and is also known for acquiring Poshmark SEONGNAM, South Korea, June 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NAVER Corporation (CEO Choi Soo-yeon) announced the planned establishment of "NAVER Ventures," its new global venture investment initiative in Silicon Valley. The launch marks a significant step in NAVER's strategy to expand its global footprint and foster innovation by investing in promising startups in North America. NAVER Ventures aims to build on NAVER's experience in supporting startups through its NAVER D2SF, which has invested numerous early-stage technology startups and supported their overseas expansion. The company also expanded its global portfolio by acquiring Poshmark, a leading U.S.-based social commerce platform, in 2023. As part of its commitment to the Silicon Valley ecosystem, NAVER Founder and Chairman Lee Hae-jin, CEO Choi Soo-yeon, and Kim Namsun, President of investments visited the region to engage directly with entrepreneurs, engineers, and investors. They hosted the "Venturing NAVER's Next Chapter" networking event on June 5 at the Four Seasons Hotel, where they discussed NAVER's vision for supporting startups and fostering technological innovation. NAVER Ventures has confirmed its first investment in TwelveLabs, a video AI startup recognized for its innovative technology. The investment aligns with NAVER's focus on AI competitiveness and its strategy to collaborate with global startups to drive future growth. The new investment initiative, NAVER Ventures, overseen by Kim Namsun, is expected to complete its establishment process later this month. It will invest capital and expertise to help category-leading companies accelerate the growth of their businesses (/END) About NAVER Founded in 1999, NAVER is South Korea's largest Internet company and one of the world's leading technology companies. NAVER has grown into a global ICT company that leads in cutting-edge technologies and operates a diverse portfolio of businesses, including commerce, fintech, content, cloud services, AI, and robotics, as well as other global online services such as LINE mobile messenger, Webtoon and Webnovel publishing, SNOW video camera app and ZEPETO metaverse platform. NAVER is expanding its global footprint through strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as SoftBank, Poshmark, and Wattpad. Currently, TEAM NAVER strengthens business portfolios and expands its service regions, including Japan, North America, and Europe. In 2024, NAVER reported sales of KRW 10.74 trillion (approximately USD 7.5 billion) and NAVER is ranked as the 12th largest company in terms of market capitalization in Korea.
Korea Herald
02-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Naver, Webtoon CEOs head to Silicon Valley to meet Netflix executives
Top executives from Korea's Naver and its webtoon subsidiary are set to meet with Netflix leadership this week in Silicon Valley, signaling a potential deepening of strategic collaboration between the digital content giants. According to Naver on Monday, the IT giant's CEO Choi Soo-yeon and Webtoon Entertainment CEO Kim Jun-koo are slated to visit Netflix headquarters on Thursday at the invitation of the US streaming platform. It will mark the first meeting between Choi and Netflix executives. While details have not been disclosed, the invitation-only nature of the meeting has sparked speculation about new collaborative opportunities at both the content and platform levels. The two companies have been strengthening ties since last year. In November, Naver integrated a Netflix subscription benefit into its paid membership program. Under the deal, users paying 4,900 won ($3.55) per month for a Naver Membership were granted access to Netflix's ad-supported plan, which costs 7,000 won -- a move widely seen as a bold and innovative bundling strategy. The so-called Naver-Netflix partnership has shown tangible results. Netflix's monthly active users across the country surged from 10 million in June 2023 to over 14 million after the Naver partnership was launched. Naver saw a 1.5-fold increase in average daily new signups to its membership service. On the content side, Naver Webtoon has emerged as a key intellectual property supplier to Netflix. Original webtoon-based series such as 'All of Us Are Dead,' 'Sweet Home' and 'Trauma Center: Golden Hour' have topped the global charts, cementing the webtoon platform's value on streaming platforms. Despite market rumors, both sides denied that the upcoming talks would explore the integration of Naver Webtoon content directly into the Netflix mobile app. 'It's a meeting arranged purely within the context of a partnership,' a Naver official said. 'The CEOs are indeed scheduled to meet with Netflix executives at their invitation, but there are no predetermined agendas or confirmed outcomes,' the official added.
