The Korea Development Bank (KDB) held the 30th edition of its region-specific venture platform, "KDB V:Launch GSAT Special," on the 29th in conjunction with the "GSAT 2026" event held at the Changwon Convention Center.
According to the Industrial Bank of Korea, approximately 80 people, including local startups and venture capitalists from the Seoul metropolitan area, attended the event. Five startups based in South Gyeongsang Province—The Miracle Soft, a provider of AI-powered document and process management automation solutions; AcroMet, a developer of soft magnetic material components for power conversion devices; Umed, an AI urology platform; Code of Nature, a soil restoration solution based on moss spore cultivation technology; and PVOI, an AI company specializing in industrial safety and process optimization—conducted investor presentations. Additionally, plans were announced for the selection of sub-fund managers for the 2026 (second year) cycle of the “Gyeongnam-KDB Regional Innovation Venture Fund,” led by the Korea Development Bank (KDB) with the aim of investing in high-tech venture and SME companies in the Gyeongnam region. The fund aims to raise over 140 billion won over three years; last year, three sub-fund managers were selected to establish a fund worth 48.3 billion won. Now in its fourth year, KDB V:Launch has been held a total of 30 times, with 91 local startups presenting their IRs; of these, 33 companies have successfully secured a total of 265.3 billion won in investment.
According to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, as of the first half of 2025, 78.6% of the nation’s venture capital investment was concentrated in the Seoul National Capital Area, while the number of venture companies outside the capital region actually decreased by 0.35% over the 10 years since 2015.
Baek Jun-young, Executive Vice President of the Regional Growth Division at the Korea Development Bank, stated, "We will do our utmost to transform regional potential into a growth engine for South Korea by strengthening our comprehensive financial support system through the organic integration of venture platforms, direct investment and lending, and regional innovation funds."
