Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung-ryul) and its Industry-Academia Cooperation Foundation have partnered with Big Bang Ventures (CEO Ji-cheol Kim and Tae-hoon Koo) to promote regional innovation and entrepreneurship. Kookmin University was recently selected as the final operator for the “Korea Venture Investment Corporation (Ministry of Education-affiliated) 2025 Second Regular Investment Program” and will establish the “KMU-Big Bang Campus Town Venture Investment Fund.”

This venture investment fund will be co-managed by National University Technology Holding Co., Ltd. and Big Bang Ventures Co., Ltd. as co-general partners (Co-GP), with the Korea Venture Investment Corporation as a special partner, and National University Campus Town Project Team and Ewha Womans University Technology Holding Co., Ltd. as limited partners (LP). The total fund size is 36.4 billion won, with plans to invest in student and faculty startup companies centered around Seoul Campus Town and promising startups in the Seoul region centered around Seongbuk-gu.

The investment strategy is focused on creating a virtuous cycle structure centered on the northeastern part of Seoul, including Seongbuk-gu, through the following stages: identifying potential entrepreneurs, supporting their growth and investment, and facilitating their global expansion. Particularly, by jointly managing the fund with Big Bang Ventures Co., Ltd., which has extensive experience in successful investments and exits, the fund aims to enhance investment expertise and create tangible synergies through follow-on investments and other collaborative efforts.

President Jeong Seung-ryul of Kookmin University stated, “Kookmin University is committed to fostering an entrepreneurial spirit that addresses social issues and builds a better community through a culture of challenge.” He added, “Through the establishment of this venture investment fund, we aim to realize this entrepreneurial spirit in practice and create a university-driven regional innovation startup ecosystem that grows in tandem with the local community.”

Kim Ji-cheol, CEO of Big Bang Ventures Co., Ltd., also emphasized, “We will collaborate with Kookmin University Technology Holding to identify promising startup teams across the region and provide customized support throughout the entire cycle, from initial investment to follow-up support. Through this, we will fully support university startups to grow into innovative companies with global competitiveness and, ultimately, global unicorns.”