The Ministry of SMEs and Startups has unveiled the latest trends in venture capital investment and fundraising in Korea for the year 2023.
MSS has been analyzing and releasing the investment performance of venture capital firms under its jurisdiction. Starting from the first half of 2023, MSS included the investment performance of venture capital firms under the jurisdiction of the Financial Services Commission, which has similar functions in the annual report. This move is aimed at enhancing the accuracy and reliability of investment statistics. As a result, the annual investment performance of all venture capital firms will be integrated, aggregated, and analyzed.
In 2023, VC investments reached approximately $8.4 billion, which was a 35% increase compared to the pre-COVID-19 peak. Although the VC investment decreased by 12% compared to the exceptional surge in 2022 due to increased global liquidity, it has maintained a medium to long-term growth trend, with an average annual growth rate of 16% since 2008.
In 2023, the amount of VC fundraising reached approximately USD 9.8 billion, which is a 28% increase compared to the pre-COVID-19 peak. Although it decreased by 28% compared to 2022, it has maintained a medium to long-term growth trend, growing at an average annual rate of 18% since 2008.
