Hi Investment Partners

What Hi Investment Partners does

Hi Investment Partners, operating in the market as iM Investment Partners (iM투자파트너스), is a South Korea-based venture capital firm founded in 2015 that provides investment and financial services to early- and growth-stage startups. The firm is a subsidiary of iM Financial Group (iM금융그룹), a diversified Korean financial conglomerate that includes iM Bank, iM Securities, iM Life, iM Capital, and iM Asset Management. The company identifies and supports technology-driven startups with high growth potential, with stated investment focus areas spanning AI infrastructure, vertical AI, security, quantum computing, and space/aerospace. Its investment thesis emphasizes teams with clearly defined economic moats, problem statements, revenue structures, and exit strategies.

The firm operates through a fund-based platform managing 15 funds with total committed capital of 3,535 billion KRW (approximately $2.5B USD) and a portfolio of 148 companies across multiple sectors including AI, maritime technology, agricultural distribution, and robotics mobility. Notable investment outcomes include an 11.5x multiple on the Naraspac Technology investment through a dedicated marine fund over a 7-year hold, with over 100 billion KRW recovered through simultaneous market sales across three sub-funds following the portfolio company's IPO. The firm earned the highest autonomous regulation evaluation grade (S) from the Korea Venture Capital Association and was designated a "Diligent Compliant VC," receiving a Minister's Commendation from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups in 2025.

The business model relies on three revenue streams: recurring management fees on committed fund capital, carried interest from successful portfolio exits, and direct equity returns from portfolio company investments. The firm is operationally lean, with 1–10 reported employees, and conducts investment activities through offices in Seoul (Gangnam district) and Daegu (iM Bank's second headquarters). It co-invests with strategic partners including SBI Investment and participates in Korea's government-sponsored 모태펀드 (Mother Fund) program as a general partner.

Name

Hi Investment Partners

Legal name

iM Investment Partners

Website

https://hi-investment.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

iM Investment Partners is a South Korea-based venture capital firm founded in 2015, operating 15 funds with 3,535 billion KRW in committed capital across 148 portfolio companies. A subsidiary of iM Financial Group, it invests in AI, quantum computing, aerospace, and other deep-tech startups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Venture Capital

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), All Other Financial Investment Activities (52399)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Venture Capital Fund-of-Funds / Multi-Manager Platforms (FSANAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Capital Raising Advisory (Debt/Equity/Private Capital) (BPAHADAG)

Keywords

• Venture capital
• Technology investment
• Startup funding
• Growth capital
• ESG investment

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Fund Management Fees: Management fees collected from managing venture capital funds, including the 15 funds with 3,535 billion KRW in total committed capital.
2. Carried Interest (Performance Fees): Performance-based returns from successful portfolio company exits. The firm achieved an 11.5x multiple on Naraspac Technology investment, demonstrating strong exit performance.
3. Portfolio Company Investment Returns: Returns from equity investments in 148 portfolio companies across multiple funds, including proceeds from partial exits and IPOs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Hi Investment Partners is a South Korea-based venture capital firm that manages 15 funds with 3,535 billion KRW in total committed capital and invests in 148 portfolio companies. The firm provides equity capital, operational support, and strategic guidance to early-to-growth-stage startups, with investment focus on AI infrastructure, vertical AI, cybersecurity, quantum computing, and space/aerospace sectors. It operates as part of the iM Financial Group ecosystem.

Product overview

iM Investment Partners (iM투자파트너스) is a Korean venture capital firm providing investment management services and operating multiple investment funds. The company identifies and supports excellent teams with high growth potential from a long-term perspective, creates future value through technological innovation and ESG initiatives, and aims to be the best partner trusted by investors and portfolio companies. As of 2015, the firm has formed total capital of 3,535 billion KRW (약 3,535억 원), maintains 148 investment portfolio companies across 15 funds. The firm is part of iM Financial Group (iM금융그룹).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Venture Capital Investment Funds (15 funds)

Quantifiable outcome

• 11.5x multiple on single investment in Naraspac Technology through marine fund
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• 부지고 (Bootochi)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStartup collaboration partner for blockchain prepaid payment service proof-of-concept. iM Financial Group collaborated with iM Bank and startup Bootochi to successfully complete Korea's first blockchain-based prepaid payment service demonstration.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Korean Investment Partners (KIP): One of Korea's largest domestic VC firms managing multiple funds with broad tech and growth-stage focus. Directly comparable to iM Investment Partners as a Korean multi-fund VC platform with institutional backing and a focus on innovative startups.
• Mirae Asset Venture Investment: VC arm of Mirae Asset Financial Group, managing multiple Korea-focused and global VC funds. Comparable as a conglomerate-affiliated Korean VC platform with broad sector coverage and access to a large parent group distribution network.
• LB Investment: Major Korean VC firm managing multiple growth-stage funds with broad technology focus. Comparable to iM Investment Partners in fund structure, Korean geographic focus, and emphasis on tech-driven growth investments.
• SBI Investment: Korean arm of Japan's SBI Group, an active VC investor and known co-investor with iM Investment Partners in the Autometa Series A. Comparable as a Japan-Korea cross-border VC platform with overlapping investment themes in AI and deep tech.
• Atinum Investment: Established Korean VC firm managing multiple funds with focus on technology and growth-stage companies. Comparable in fund structure, Korean geographic focus, and emphasis on tech-driven growth investments.
• BonAngels Venture Partners: Korean early-to-growth-stage VC firm investing across AI, deep tech, and platform businesses. Comparable as a domestic Korean VC active in similar AI and deep-tech verticals with a multi-fund structure.

Broad incumbents

• Kakao Ventures: Corporate venture arm of Kakao Group with broad Korean early-stage tech investments. Comparable in Korean tech VC focus and conglomerate backing, though typically focused on earlier-stage and Kakao-aligned deals.
• KB Investment: VC and PE arm of KB Financial Group, one of Korea's largest financial holding companies. Comparable in conglomerate-affiliated VC structure, large fund formation capacity, and broad technology investment focus.
• Hana Ventures: CVC arm of Hana Financial Group investing in Korean and global startups. Comparable as a conglomerate-affiliated Korean VC platform with similar financial-services LP base and technology focus.

Emerging players

• SoftBank Ventures Asia: Asia-focused VC arm of SoftBank Group with significant AI and deep-tech exposure. Comparable in deep-tech thematic focus and global LP base, though with significantly larger fund sizes and more aggressive growth-stage focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments79 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hi Investment Partners