
Samsung Electronics
Description
Samsung Electronics is a formidable force in the global technology investment landscape, primarily through its dedicated corporate venture capital arms: Samsung Ventures, Samsung NEXT, and the Samsung Catalyst Fund. These entities collectively enable Samsung to strategically invest across a wide spectrum of technological innovation, from nascent startups to established growth-stage companies. The overarching goal is to foster advancements that align with Samsung's core businesses, including consumer electronics, mobile communications, semiconductors, and displays, while also exploring new market opportunities.
Samsung Ventures, established in 1999, acts as the primary corporate venture capital arm, investing globally in areas such as semiconductors, displays, telecommunications, software, internet services, and bio-engineering. It has a long track record of supporting companies from early to growth stages, demonstrating a broad investment mandate. As of various reports, Samsung Ventures has invested in over 700 companies globally, showcasing its extensive reach and commitment to fostering innovation across diverse sectors.
Samsung NEXT focuses on early-stage investments, typically from seed to Series B, targeting disruptive software and services in areas like AI, blockchain, fintech, health tech, and media. This arm is instrumental in identifying and nurturing emerging technologies that could shape future consumer experiences and enterprise solutions. Samsung NEXT has actively supported over 200 startups, often providing not just capital but also strategic guidance and access to Samsung's vast ecosystem. The Samsung Catalyst Fund, conversely, targets more mature, deep technology companies, often focusing on areas like AI infrastructure, data centers, automotive, and 5G, with larger strategic investments aimed at accelerating the adoption of critical technologies.
Through this multi-pronged investment approach, Samsung Electronics demonstrates a commitment to both incremental innovation and disruptive breakthroughs. Their investments are not purely financial but are deeply integrated into their long-term strategic vision, seeking to build partnerships and gain insights into future market trends. This comprehensive strategy allows Samsung to maintain its competitive edge and explore new frontiers in the rapidly evolving technology landscape.
Investor Profile
Samsung Electronics has backed more than 40 startups, with 6 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 9 rounds, about 23% of its total and boasts 19 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series Unknown, Series B, Series D rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United States, United Kingdom, China.
- Strong thematic focus on Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Software.
- Led 2 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $250K – $50M.
Stage Focus
- Series Unknown (20%)
- Series B (20%)
- Series D (15%)
- Private Equity (13%)
- Seed (13%)
- Post Ipo Equity (5%)
- Series C (5%)
- Series E (5%)
- Series F (3%)
- Series A (3%)
Country Focus
- United States (68%)
- United Kingdom (8%)
- China (5%)
- Germany (3%)
- Israel (3%)
- Ireland (3%)
- Singapore (3%)
- Japan (3%)
- Switzerland (3%)
- South Korea (3%)
Industry Focus
- Manufacturing
- Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
- Software
- Telecommunications
- Semiconductor
- Machine Learning
- Enterprise Software
- Wireless
- Internet
- Mobile
Frequently Asked Questions
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