Kakao and Naver Look Abroad to Stay Ahead in Global AI Race
South Korea’s leading tech players, Kakao and NaverDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, are stepping up their AI ambitions with a strategic shift beyond national borders. As the global race to dominate next-generation artificial intelligence intensifies, both companies are making quiet but calculated moves through their dedicated investment vehicles: Kakao Ventures and the newly launched Naver VenturesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → .
Recent reports from The Korea Economic Daily highlight a growing appetite among these firms to back early-stage AI startups overseas. Traditionally focused on the domestic market, this pivot reflects a strategic realization: the future of AI innovation is global, and participating in it means going beyond South Korea’s borders.
Kakao Ventures, the company’s longstanding venture capital arm, has already established itself as an active player in supporting deep tech and AI-driven startups. Naver, meanwhile, made headlines in June 2025 with the launch of Naver Ventures , based in Palo Alto, California. The new unit is tasked with scouting and investing in promising North American AI startups, particularly those working on foundational models and generative AI tools.
The timing aligns with both companies’ broader push to embed generative AI into their core services. Kakao, which previously teamed up with OpenAI, is integrating AI across messaging, content, and fintech products. Naver has developed its own large language models and now seeks to amplify its capabilities through global collaboration and investment.
These cross-border investments are still modest in scale but carry long-term strategic weight. By positioning themselves close to the epicenters of AI innovation, Kakao and Naver are not only gaining early access to emerging technologies but also reinforcing South Korea’s aspiration to be a global contributor to the AI economy.
Source:
A.M.
