- Woori Financial Group unveiled a roadmap to invest 7 trillion won ($4.5 billion) in innovative companies, detailing a financing system that supports startups from seed funding through initial public offerings (IPOs) as part of its broader productive finance initiative.
- Yim Jong-yong, chairman of Woori Financial, emphasized that finance must evolve into investment-oriented productive finance that invests in future possibilities, with venture capital at its core.
- The new venture capital system aims to provide uninterrupted financial support throughout a startup's life cycle, from incubation and follow-on investment to scaling up and IPOs.
- DinnoLab, Woori's startup incubation platform, will back early-stage startups with funds of less than 50 billion won.
- Companies in the growth stage will be funded through the group's corporate venture capital funds of up to 100 billion won.
- Businesses preparing for large-scale expansion or IPOs will receive support from Woori Venture Partners and Woori Investment & Securities, which manage funds exceeding 100 billion won.
Woori Financial Group has launched a comprehensive investment roadmap, committing 7 trillion Korean won ($4.5 billion) to support startups throughout their lifecycle, from seed funding to IPOs. This initiative is part of a broader 90 trillion won project aimed at enhancing productive finance over the next five years.1
The plan includes backing for early-stage startups through DinnoLab, the group's incubation platform, which has already nurtured 231 companies and invested 470 billion won over seven years. The third DinnoLab fund will support 20 companies with 20 billion won this year.4
Chairman Yim Jong-yong emphasized the need for finance to evolve into “investment-oriented productive finance”, stating, “We will help startups and young companies secure investment and business opportunities they need to become Korea's future growth engines.” The initiative also aims to expand investment beyond the capital region, with 69 startups from outside Seoul joining the program since 2024.2
Woori's framework ensures uninterrupted financial support, with corporate venture capital funds providing up to 100 billion won for growth-stage companies and Woori Venture Partners assisting with IPO preparations. The group plans to expand its CVC across affiliates to increase venture capital supply.356
This roadmap reflects Woori Financial's commitment to fostering innovation and supporting local startups, contributing to balanced regional development in South Korea.
“Woori Financial's DinnoLab platform has discovered and nurtured 231 startups over seven years, with cumulative investments of 470 billion won. Chairman Yim Jong-yong said the group aims to foster local startups through regional DinnoLab centers in four provinces, contributing to balanced regional development.”
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