FuturePlay
FuturePlay is a Seoul-based deep tech venture capital firm providing full-cycle investment and operational support (HR, finance, policy linkage) to early-stage Korean AI, Robotics, Bio, and SaaS startups from seed through Series B, with government-backed TIPS operator status and a portfolio of 50+ companies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersSeoul, South Korea
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What FuturePlay does
FuturePlay is a Seoul-based deep tech venture capital firm founded in 2014 that provides full-cycle investment support to technology-driven startups from seed through Series B and beyond, with sectors spanning AI, Robotics, Bio/Healthcare, and SaaS. The firm operates as a TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startups) operator — designated TIPS Operator of the Year 2025 by Korea's Ministry of SMEs and Startups — which links private capital to government-backed R&D programs and provides privileged access to early-stage Korean deep tech deal flow. FuturePlay manages a portfolio of 50+ companies and deployed KRW 51.7 billion across 43 investments in 2025, with notable exits including KOSDAQ listings by SOS LAB (autonomous driving sensors, 2024), Innospace (space launch vehicles, 2024), and Seoul Robotics (3D perception, expected 2026).
Beyond capital, FuturePlay operates internal support functions — People Lab for HR, Growth Finance Team for policy-to-capital bridging, and Investment Operations Division — that distinguish its offering from pure financial VCs. The firm extends its reach internationally via an MOU with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Investment (December 2025) to facilitate Korean startup entry into MENA markets, and domestically via the Seoul National University BIG Scale-up program partnership. Its business model follows standard VC economics: management fees on funds under management across multiple investment vehicles, plus carried interest from successful exits; specific LP composition and AUM are not publicly disclosed. The team is led by CEO and Partner Kwon Oh-Hyoung and includes multiple venture partners drawn from successful founder-operators (Olaworks/Intel acquisition, VUNO) and senior corporate executives (Hyundai MOBIS, Kakao, Yanolja, KAIST).
FuturePlay firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FuturePlay
- Legal name
- FuturePlay Inc.
- Website
- https://futureplay.co
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- FuturePlay is a Seoul-based deep tech venture capital firm providing full-cycle investment and operational support (HR, finance, policy linkage) to early-stage Korean AI, Robotics, Bio, and SaaS startups from seed through Series B, with government-backed TIPS operator status and a portfolio of 50+ companies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FuturePlay industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Deep Tech Venture Capital
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (52394)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Late-Stage Venture Capital (Series C+) (FSANAAAC)
Keywords
Where FuturePlay is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seoul
- HQ country
- South Korea
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
FuturePlay business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Fund Management Fees: FuturePlay generates revenue through management fees charged on funds under management, typical for VC firms operating multiple investment vehicles including seed funds and later-stage vehicles.
- Carried Interest / Performance Fees: VC fund structure generates carried interest from successful portfolio exits and realizations. The firm's track record includes multiple KOSDAQ listings (SOS LAB, Innospace, Seoul Robotics) which generate exit proceeds.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
FuturePlay product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FuturePlay is a full-cycle deep tech venture capital firm that invests in technology-driven startups from seed through Series B and beyond across AI, Robotics, Bio/Healthcare, and SaaS sectors. Beyond capital, the firm provides hands-on value-added services including team building, business expansion support, global market entry (notably MENA via Saudi MOI partnership), and operates Korea's TIPS government startup incubator program. Revenue is generated via fund management fees and carried interest from portfolio exits.
Product overview
FuturePlay is a full-cycle deep tech venture capital firm that provides investment and comprehensive support services for technology-driven startups from early stage to Series B and beyond. The firm operates TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startups) programs and offers specialized services including People Lab (HR support), Growth Finance Team, Investment Operations Division, and global market entry support through partnerships like the Saudi Arabia MOI collaboration. FuturePlay supports portfolio companies across sectors including AI, Robotics, Bio/Healthcare, and SaaS.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Full-Cycle Investment Services Equity investment and comprehensive support services for technology-driven startups from seed through Series B and beyond, including capital deployment, team building, business expansion guidance, and global market entry support. Targets Korean deep tech startups across AI, Robotics, Bio/Healthcare, and SaaS sectors.
- TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startups) Operations Government-backed startup incubation program operations linking private investment with public R&D funding for early-stage Korean startups. FuturePlay operates as a selected TIPS operator and was named TIPS Operator of the Year 2025 by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.
- People Lab Dedicated HR support service for portfolio companies that helps founders navigate people and organizational challenges. Led by an HR professional with nearly 20 years of experience across startups to large enterprises.
- Growth Finance Team Financial advisory service that bridges government policy programs and private capital, helping portfolio companies find market placement through policy support and financial guidance for growth.
- Saudi Arabia Market Entry Support Cross-border market entry support for Korean portfolio companies seeking expansion into Saudi Arabia and MENA markets, delivered through a strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Investment (MOI) covering joint investments across healthcare, fintech, logistics, AI, and manufacturing sectors.
Quantifiable outcome
- Three portfolio companies achieved KOSDAQ listings (SOS LAB, Innospace, Seoul Robotics)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use FuturePlay
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
FuturePlay technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
FuturePlay partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Seoul National University (SNU)coreFuturePlay's Investment Division 2 participates in the 'SNU BIG Scale-up' program's second phase to accelerate investment and support the growth of startups emerging from Seoul National University. This partnership enhances FuturePlay's access to faculty-founded and university-affiliated deep tech startups.
- Saudi Arabia Ministry of Investment (MOI)coreFuturePlay signed an MOU with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Investment to support Korean startups entering the Saudi market. The partnership focuses on joint investments across healthcare, fintech, logistics, AI, and manufacturing sectors, and includes developing the Saudi Stars program to facilitate cross-border startup expansion.
- Korea's Small and Medium Enterprise AgencycoreFuturePlay operates TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startups) as a selected operator, linking private investment with government-backed R&D support for early-stage Korean startups. The firm was named TIPS Operator of the Year 2025 for its excellence in this role.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
FuturePlay competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- KB Investment: Korea's leading venture capital arm of KB Financial Group, investing from seed to growth across deep tech and digital sectors. Directly comparable to FuturePlay as a Korean full-cycle VC backing AI, robotics, and platform startups, and a co-investor with FuturePlay in Chazm's Series A.
- Mirae Asset Venture Investment: One of Korea's largest venture capital firms under Mirae Asset Financial Group, with broad sector coverage including deep tech, bio, and platform businesses. Directly comparable as a Korean multi-stage VC competing for the same deal flow as FuturePlay.
- SoftBank Ventures Asia: Asia-focused deep tech and AI investor affiliated with SoftBank Group, backing early-to-growth stage startups. Comparable to FuturePlay given its focus on AI, robotics, and deep tech in Asia, and its role as a participant in large later-stage rounds.
- Naver D2SF (D2 Startup Factory): Naver's corporate venture arm investing in AI, content, and commerce startups from seed onward. Comparable as a Korea-based deep tech and AI-focused investor with strong corporate backing, similar fund sizes, and overlapping thesis areas with FuturePlay.
- Kakao Ventures: Early-stage venture arm of Kakao, investing across consumer, fintech, and deep tech in Korea and Southeast Asia. Comparable as a Korea-based early-stage VC with comparable fund sizes and portfolio scale.
- ZERO1NE Ventures: Hyundai Motor Group-affiliated deep tech investor backing mobility, robotics, and AI startups. Directly comparable as a Korea-based deep tech VC with corporate backing and a co-investor with FuturePlay in Chazm's Series A.
- Smilegate Investment: Korean VC affiliated with Smilegate Group, investing from seed to Series B in games, AI, and deep tech. Comparable as a Korea-based multi-stage VC and a co-investor with FuturePlay in WIRobotics' Series B.
- 500 Global: Global early-stage VC and accelerator with strong presence in Asia, including Korea. Comparable as an early-stage deep tech investor and a co-investor with FuturePlay in Index Robotics' seed round.
Broad incumbents
- Korea Investment Partners: One of Korea's largest and oldest VC/growth firms under Korea Investment Holdings, with broad sector and stage coverage. Comparable as a major Korean institutional investor competing for the same growth-stage deep tech deals.
Emerging players
- Primer (formerly Primer.ventures): Korean early-stage VC backing Korean deep tech founders from seed. Comparable as a Korea-based deep tech investor operating at similar early stages with overlapping thematic focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
FuturePlay social profiles
Digital presenceFuturePlay financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FuturePlay leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
FuturePlay funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FuturePlay M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments259 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about FuturePlay
What does FuturePlay do?
FuturePlay is a full-cycle deep tech venture capital firm that invests in technology-driven startups from seed through Series B and beyond across AI, Robotics, Bio/Healthcare, and SaaS sectors. Beyond capital, the firm provides hands-on value-added services including team building, business expansion support, global market entry (notably MENA via Saudi MOI partnership), and operates Korea's TIPS government startup incubator program. Revenue is generated via fund management fees and carried interest from portfolio exits.
Is FuturePlay a public or private company?
FuturePlay is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was FuturePlay founded?
FuturePlay was founded in 2014. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is FuturePlay based?
FuturePlay is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, in the Asia region.
How does FuturePlay make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Fund Management Fees are the primary driver. The others are carried Interest / Performance Fees.
Who are FuturePlay's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are KB Investment, Mirae Asset Venture Investment, SoftBank Ventures Asia, Naver D2SF (D2 Startup Factory), Kakao Ventures, ZERO1NE Ventures, Smilegate Investment and 500 Global. Korea Investment Partners is listed as a broad incumbent. Primer (formerly Primer.ventures) is listed as an emerging player.
Does FuturePlay have an API?
No public API is recorded for FuturePlay.
What industry is FuturePlay in?
FuturePlay's product category is Deep Tech Venture Capital. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAC, Late-Stage Venture Capital (Series C+). Its NAICS code is 52394 and its SIC code is 6282.