Organization · Venture Capital
SBVA
SBVA is an early-stage venture capital firm based in South Korea, focusing on empowering entrepreneurs and fostering innovation. Established in 2000, it became independent in 2023 after merging with The Edgeof.
Overview
What SBVA does
What SBVA is
SBVA is an early-stage venture capital firm based in South Korea, focusing on empowering entrepreneurs and fostering innovation. Established in 2000, it became independent in 2023 after merging with The Edgeof.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and event host and publisher capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Venture Capital
- Founded
- Founded in 2000
- Approximate age
- About 26 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Event host · Publisher
- Last reviewed
- March 16, 2026
Official channels
Find SBVA elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
SBVA as a funder
Investment thesis
Champion disruptive technology innovators globally. Focus on deep tech including AI, robotics, IoT, semiconductor design, and smart infrastructure. Former SoftBank early-stage arm, now independent.
Focus narrative
Deep tech: AI, robotics, IoT, semiconductor design, smart infrastructure. 2025 allocation: 44% AI, 27% robotics, 11% commerce, 10% content, 4% healthcare. Geographic: 54% Korea, 39% US, 6% Japan. Alpha Korea Sovereign AI Fund (150B KRW).
Value beyond capital
Capital, strategic guidance, and network across Asia, US, Israel, EU. Market entry support via events like SBVA Tokyo Forum. 39 team including 13 partners with serial entrepreneurship backgrounds.
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Seed · Series A · Series B · Series C
- Sectors
- AI · SaaS · Fintech · Healthcare · Robotics · Commerce · Edtech · Generative AI · Ai Agents · Ai Infrastructure · Payments · Digital Health · E-commerce · Marketplaces · Clean Energy · Autonomous Driving
- Regions
- Asia · East Asia · Global · Il · In · Jp · Kr · Sg · Southeast Asia · United States · Vn
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 242
- Investments in the last 12 months
- 17
- Last recorded investment
- December 17, 2025
- Recorded notable exits
- Nexon Co, Tokopedia, Carro, Socar, SEMIFIVE, and Tridge, plus 1 more
Portfolio context
242 companies, 8 unicorns (Tridge, Bucket Place, ZEPETO), 17 IPOs, 28 acquisitions. Notable: Nexon (IPO Japan), Tokopedia, Carro, Socar. Recent: Liberty Labs, Utaite, Mythic (Series D Dec 2025). 17 investments in 2025.
Capability profile
SBVA as an event host
Event focus
SBVA invests in early to growth stage startups, particularly those with technology that can transform lives. The organization supports startups aiming for global expansion and prioritizes constant innovation. It has invested over $2 billion in more than 300 startups across various sectors, including ICT, healthcare, and fintech.
Format narrative
SBVA hosts various networking events and educational sessions, including fireside chats and portfolio nights for showcasing innovations.
Participant value
Attendees gain insights from industry leaders and opportunities to network with innovative startups.
Format and cadence
- Event types
- meetup and workshop
- Startups can present
- Yes
Availability
- Registration state
- Not currently accepting
Audience and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed · Seed+ · Series A · Growth Equity
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Sectors
- FintechHealthcare
- Regions
- United States
Speakers and past editions
Speakers
Notable speakers include industry leaders featured in the Fireside Chat with OpenAI.
Past editions
Past events include the OpenAI Roundtable workshop and the Tokyo Forum aimed at fostering collaboration between Korean and Japanese startups.
Capability profile
SBVA as a publisher
Editorial focus
SBVA is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in startups with transformative technology. The organization supports companies aiming for global expansion and prioritizes constant innovation, having invested over $2 billion in more than 300 startups across various sectors.
Audience value
SBVA provides funding and support to early to growth stage startups, helping them innovate and expand globally.
Format and cadence
- Content formats
- blog
Availability
- Guest pitch state
- Not currently accepting
Audience and focus
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Regions
- United States
Flagship work and coverage
Flagship properties
SBVA publishes press releases and news articles covering significant developments and achievements in its portfolio.
Common questions
What to know about SBVA
Upseed classifies SBVA under the Venture Capital organization type. Its current public profile includes funder, event host, and publisher capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 16, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.