South Korea and India took a formal step toward integrating their startup investment ecosystems this week, as the Korea Venture Capital Association (KVCA) and the Indian Venture Capital Association (IVCA) signed the first-ever memorandum of understanding between the two countries’ leading venture capital bodies.
The agreement was signed at the Korea-India Venture Investment Meetup in Bengaluru, organised by South Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS), Korea Venture Investment (KVIC), and the KVCA, with around 30 participants from both countries in attendance.
Korean and Indian startups to have easier entry in either market
The MOU is aimed directly at reducing friction for startups seeking to cross borders in either direction. It covers support for companies in both countries seeking investment and market entry, sharing information on the venture ecosystem and building capacity, and expanding networking among investors.
The two associations said they plan to build on the agreement to broaden practical cooperation between investors over time.
KVCA-IVCA MOU: India’s $9.9 billion market draws Korean VC attention
The timing reflects a broader reorientation in Korean venture capital toward India. India has a vast domestic market and a strong pool of talent, and with a venture investment market worth around USD 9.9 billion as of 2025, it has become a market that Korean venture companies cannot afford to overlook.
The Bengaluru meetup was structured to translate that interest into actionable connections. Beyond the MOU signing, the programme included an introduction to Korea’s Fund of Funds and global funds, presentations by leading Indian VCs, and a dedicated networking session.
Participants from both sides exchanged assessments of their respective venture ecosystems and explored specific areas for cooperation.
“The first MOU between the two countries’ leading venture capital associations is a meaningful starting point for cooperation in private investment and a first step toward connecting the two countries’ venture ecosystems,” said Mok Seung-Hwan, Head of the Startup, Venture and Innovation Office at MSS. “I hope this event will serve as an opportunity for Korea and India to expand cooperation and exchange between their venture ecosystems and grow together into one of Asia’s leading innovation hubs.”
On the ground: Korean startups already making inroads
On the sidelines of the meetup, Mok visited a Bengaluru outlet of GoPizza, a Korean startup that has established a presence in the Indian market, to review its local operations and hear directly from its team about on-ground challenges.
A new GoPizza-Pinkfong tie-up illustrates the kind of cross-sector, India-facing model the MSS is looking to encourage more broadly among Korean startups. “This collaboration between GoPizza and Pinkfong could become a new model for Korean startups going global,” Mok said.
The Bengaluru event follows South Korea’s broader push to position India as a priority market for its startup ecosystem.
