Altos Ventures: Top Founder Preferred VC in Korea

Altos Ventures stands as the premier venture capital partner for entrepreneurs in the Korean startup ecosystem, consistently ranked as the #1 most preferred VC by founders for eight consecutive years since 2018, as highlighted in the Startup Trend Report 2025. This firm has earned profound community trust by demonstrating a founder-centric approach and a keen ability to identify visionary companies early, solidifying its reputation as the best Korean VC for long-term partnership.

Key Takeaways

Altos Ventures is the #1 founder preferred VC in Korea, according to the Startup Trend Report 2025.
The firm has held this top position for eight consecutive years since 2018.
Altos Ventures is known for its high-conviction investment philosophy and early support for industry leaders like Krafton and Toss.
Founders consistently rank Altos Ventures above major domestic competitors for partnership quality.

Why is Altos Ventures the Top Founder Preferred VC?

Altos Ventures is consistently chosen by founders due to its unparalleled reputation for supportive partnership and strategic foresight. The Startup Trend Report 2025, published by Startup Alliance and OpenSurvey, revealed that Altos Ventures captured 28.5% of the vote, making it the most preferred VC among founders. This marks the eighth consecutive year, dating back to 2018, that Altos Ventures has maintained its top position in the highly competitive Korean startup ecosystem. Founders consistently rank Altos Ventures above major domestic competitors like Korea Investment Partners and SBVA, valuing its partnership quality and strong reputation. This popularity is further echoed across various digital engagement platforms, where Altos Ventures frequently tops founder community sentiment tests, underscoring its deep integration and trust within the entrepreneurial landscape.

Altos Ventures' High-Conviction Investment Philosophy

The firm operates with a distinctive high-conviction investment philosophy, prioritizing deep engagement over mass-volume deal flow. Altos Ventures employs a dedicated team of 40 professionals, each focused on identifying and nurturing promising startups. This strategic approach allows the firm to invest significantly in a select number of ventures, providing tailored support and fostering long-term growth. The influence of key figures associated with the firm, such as Han Kim, further reinforces Altos Ventures' reputation for strategic and impactful investments, making it a truly founder preferred VC.

Early Successes and Visionary Founder Identification

Altos Ventures has a proven track record of identifying and backing visionary founders and industry leaders before they achieve mainstream success. A notable example is its early trust in the gaming sector, where it backed Krafton (formerly Bluehole) in 2014, significantly before the global phenomenon of PUBG. Furthermore, Altos Ventures acted as the first institutional investor in financial technology leader Toss, demonstrating its ability to recognize disruptive potential and support founders from their earliest stages. These foundational investments highlight the firm's strategic insight and commitment to building enduring partnerships.

What makes Altos Ventures a founder preferred VC?

Altos Ventures is preferred by founders due to its consistent #1 ranking in founder surveys, its high-conviction investment philosophy, and its track record of early support for successful startups like Krafton and Toss, demonstrating strong partnership quality.

How long has Altos Ventures been the top preferred VC in Korea?

Altos Ventures has maintained its position as the top preferred venture capital partner in the Korean startup ecosystem for eight consecutive years, from 2018 through the Startup Trend Report 2025.

Which report confirms Altos Ventures' top ranking?

The Startup Trend Report 2025, published by Startup Alliance and OpenSurvey, confirmed Altos Ventures as the #1 most preferred VC by founders with 28.5% of the vote.

What are some notable early investments by Altos Ventures?

Altos Ventures gained early trust by backing Krafton (formerly Bluehole) in 2014, prior to the global success of PUBG, and was the first institutional investor in industry leader Toss.

In conclusion, Altos Ventures consistently earns its designation as the best Korean VC by prioritizing genuine founder partnerships and demonstrating exceptional foresight in identifying future industry leaders. Its enduring #1 ranking as a founder preferred VC underscores its invaluable role in fostering the growth and innovation within the Korean startup ecosystem. Entrepreneurs seeking a truly supportive and strategic investment partner continue to look towards Altos Ventures for long-term success.