Fundraising FoxSM Culture Partners
Corporate VCSeoul · Pre-Seed–Series A
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Investment thesis
SM Culture Partners, established with 100% investment from SM Entertainment, focuses on fostering the convergence of cutting-edge technology and cultural IP. It backs promising early-stage startups that can create synergy with the future entertainment industry, supporting founders with strong technology, creative thinking, and passion. The firm targets products and services that use technology to add value to cultural content and related fields, aiming to expand cultural experiences through innovation.
Source: firm website, verified Nov 7, 2026.
What they invest in
from 14 of 22 portfolio companiesConsumer ×6Media & Entertainment ×4AI & Machine Learning ×3Creator Economy ×3Deep Tech ×2E-commerce ×2Enterprise Software ×2Marketplaces ×2
HQs:South Korea×9
Investments · 22 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathDeepfine builds LOGI.FINE, a digital solution for logistics operations.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechEnterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkLogistics & Supply ChainSaaSSeoul, KR
SCON is a Korean media-tech company that creates entertainment content using virtual characters and 3D content technology.
ConsumerCreator EconomyGamingMedia & Entertainment
기준수(대표 (CEO))
Co-investorsCrit VenturesLaguna InvestmentNaver D2SFQuad Ventures
Rounder (리라운더) recovers items that would otherwise be discarded — such as film and TV set props and leftover brand assets from pop-up events — and turns them into tradable assets that can be resold and circulated.
Circular EconomyImpact & Social GoodMarketplacesSeoul, KR
The site lists fashion and luxury items — including clothing, handbags, sunglasses, and jewelry — with original and discounted prices, suggesting an online resale or discount fashion marketplace.
E-commerceMarketplacesRetail TechSeoul, KR
Co-investorsAltos VenturesDelivery Hero VenturesHana VenturesHashedSBVA
Dalcomsoft is a company whose site promotes a mobile service inviting users to "meet your star on mobile," indicating a mobile entertainment or fan-engagement application.
ConsumerMedia & Entertainment
Co-investorsAscendo VenturesDunamu & Partners
An e-commerce store selling products online, including a "Morning Calm" collection, with a membership program offering discount coupons.
ConsumerE-commerce
Co-investorsWe Ventures
FuturePlay is a deep tech investor that backs and partners with technology-driven startups, providing capital and hands-on support to founders.
Deep Tech
O (Oh-hyoung) KwoninArttu Maki(Founder)Jami Laes(Founder)Kai Auvinen(Founder)Mika Rahko(Founder)Tuomas Huhtanen(Founder)
Co-investorsHeartcore CapitalLB InvestmentCreandum
JIENEM provides managed operations and remodeling/development solutions for accommodation businesses such as hotels and wellness stays, including a contactless operating system (FRONT-X) and startup education courses.
PropTechSaaSTravel & Hospitality
Co-investorsAI Angel ClubAscendo Ventures
Kakao Corp. operates a suite of consumer internet services centered on the KakaoTalk messenger, along with KakaoMap, mobile gifting and shopping (Kakao Talk Gift, Talk Deal), Kakao Makers, Kakao Friends characters, and emoticons.
AI & Machine LearningConsumerSocialJeju City, KR
Co-investorsDCM VenturesSBI Investment Korea Co. Ltd.Maverick Ventures
Modhaus is a K-pop entertainment agency that operates as an open architecture platform, aiming to create a fan-centered music industry ecosystem by incorporating blockchain and metaverse technologies.
Creator EconomyMedia & EntertainmentSeoul, KR
Jaden Jeong(CEO)
Co-investorsAtinum Investment Co. Ltd.Global BrainKDDI Open Innovation FundLaguna InvestmentLB InvestmentNonagon+2 more
PhotoWidget is a mobile home screen customization app that allows users to create personalized widgets including photos, calendars, clocks, and other utility widgets with design tools for frames, filters, fonts, and colors.
ConsumerHardware
Insun Songin
South Korean entertainment company managing K-pop artists including NCT 127, aespa, EXO and SUPER JUNIOR.
Soldoc operates a digital healthcare platform (Baro Soldoc) that lets patients in South Korea find hospitals, book appointments, pay, receive prescribed medication, and obtain medical documents, including non-face-to-face and in-person consultations.
Digital HealthHealthtech
Korean edtech company running KOKIRI, a Korean-language learning service built on K-content such as dramas, variety shows and K-pop.
Co-investorsLaguna Investment
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
AccordeBauer LabKasinaMillennialsworksSeobukTsmost
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesFuturePlay · altss.com · Aug 11, 2026
ModHaus · startupintros.com · Jul 13, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has SM Culture Partners made?
- SM Culture Partners has 22 tracked investments.
- What stage does SM Culture Partners invest at?
- SM Culture Partners invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
- What sectors does SM Culture Partners focus on?
- SM Culture Partners focuses on Consumer, Creator Economy, Crypto & Web3, Deep Tech, Gaming, Hardware, Media & Entertainment, New Materials.
- Where is SM Culture Partners located?
- SM Culture Partners is headquartered in Seoul, KR.
- Who does SM Culture Partners co-invest with?
- SM Culture Partners most often shares deals with Ascendo Ventures, Laguna Investment, LB Investment, among 16 tracked co-investors.
Images
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