South Korea-based technology giants Krafton and Naver Corporation have announced the launch of a ₹6,000 crore Unicorn Growth Fund focused on supporting Indian technology companies. According to reports from The Hindu BusinessLine, Storyboard18, and Mint, this fund represents one of the largest India-focused capital pools ever raised by an Asian technology-led platform. The fund will be managed and advised by Mirae Asset Venture Investments (MAVI), which serves as the Mirae Asset group's private investment platform. The announcement was made after a high-level meeting in New Delhi between Commerce and Industry minister Piyush Goyal, South Korean minister of trade, industry and resources Jung-Kwan Kim, the global chief executive officers of Krafton and Naver, and the CEO of Mirae Asset Venture Investments (India) Pvt Ltd. As per Storyboard18, the formal rollout followed a meeting attended by Union minister Piyush Goyal, South Korea's Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources Jung Kwan Kim, senior executives from Krafton and Naver, and Puneet Kumar.
Krafton CEO CH Kim emphasized India's importance as a market and innovation hub, stating that India is one of the most important markets for Krafton not just for its scale but for its potential as a global game development hub. As reported by The Hindu BusinessLine, Kim highlighted India's strong base of young, skilled technology talent and improving digital infrastructure, noting that the country is evolving from a consumption-driven market to a creator economy for gaming. The fund reflects Krafton's long-term commitment to this ecosystem and underscores the company's widening ambitions in India beyond gaming, where it is best known as the maker of Battlegrounds Mobile India. Recent discussions with Rajya Sabha MP Sujeet Kumar highlighted the growing role of gaming and Esports in shaping youth engagement, creating new career pathways, and contributing to digital skill development across sectors such as technology, design, and content. Both sides discussed the importance of a stable and forward-looking policy environment to support long-term investments, encourage innovation, and strengthen India's position within the global gaming ecosystem.
The fund will concentrate on four high-conviction themes shaping the next decade of the Indian technology economy, according to the joint statement. These themes include technology platforms such as consumer internet, digital marketplaces, and next-generation platform infrastructure. The partners have expanded the focus to include consumer discretionary businesses such as digital-first brands, AI and software ventures in segments like generative AI and enterprise SaaS, and deep tech sectors including semiconductors, robotics, space technology and advanced materials. Naver Corporation's Global CEO Soo-yeon Choi noted that India is rapidly emerging as a global hub for digital innovation, powered by exceptional talent and a vibrant startup ecosystem. As per Storyboard18, technology platform investments will span consumer internet, digital marketplaces and next-generation infrastructure, while consumer discretionary bets will target digitally native brands and businesses catering to India's growing middle class. The company's approach goes beyond publishing to building a broader ecosystem across investments, developer support, and content creation through initiatives like the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator (KIGI).
The fund launch followed a high-level meeting between Commerce and Industry minister Piyush Goyal, South Korean minister of trade, industry and resources Jung-Kwan Kim, with Global CEOs of Krafton and Naver, and the CEO of Mirae Asset Venture Investments (India) Pvt Ltd (MAVI India). As reported by The Hindu BusinessLine, this meeting facilitated the announcement of the strategic partnership between the South Korean technology companies and their commitment to supporting India's technology ecosystem. The meeting took place on the sidelines of South Korean president Lee Jae Myung's official visit to India, according to Mint. Puneet Kumar, chief executive of Mirae Asset Venture Investments (India), said the fund is being set up as India enters a new phase of technology company creation, noting that "India is at an inflection point. Over the next decade, we expect a new generation of Indian technology champions to be built in India, for the world." The discussions took place in New Delhi alongside the Republic of Korea President's official visit, marking a significant step forward in strengthening India-Korea strategic and economic collaboration with Narendra Modi and senior leadership.
The fund launch represents a significant escalation in Krafton's India investment strategy, building on the company's substantial existing commitments to the Indian market. In August 2023, Krafton announced it would invest another ₹1,500 crore ($150 million) in Indian startups over the following two to three years, after having already invested about ₹1,100 crore ($140 million) across 11 companies in the country over the previous three years. At the time, the fresh commitment was directed largely at gaming and entertainment-led ventures. Late last year, reports indicated that Krafton's cumulative India investments had crossed ₹1,600 crore ($200 million), and the company planned to scale its exposure further through the new vehicle with Naver and Mirae Asset. Krafton's previous investments in India include Nodwin Gaming, Loco, Pratilipi and Kuku FM, spanning gaming, live streaming and content platforms, with the company also leading a $53 million funding round in Cashfree Payments in February 2025. The fund will also provide portfolio companies access to product, AI, gaming and platform expertise from Krafton and Naver, along with entry into Korean and broader Asian markets. Since 2021, Krafton India has invested over $250 million in Indian startups across interactive entertainment, gaming, Esports, and technology, while actively supporting game development talent through the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator (KIGI).
