Supporting Sustainable Growth through Innovative Finance
IBK provides tailored financial services for each growth stage from startups to mid-sized companies through Technology Finance, Venture Loan, and venture capital provision, thereby creating a sustainable and innovative financial ecosystem. The bank will continue to lead in innovative finance to shape the bright future of SMEs together.
Technology Finance
IBK has actively expanded Technology Finance to support the growth of technology-based companies. By the end of 2024, IBK solidified its market leadership with a Technology Finance Loan balance of KRW 113.2 trillion, representing the highest market share of 37.2% in Korea. This is an increase of KRW 2.5 trillion compared to the previous year, resulting from strengthened support for companies possessing the 12 major national strategic technologies.
Additionally, IBK’s IP Loan targeting companies with insufficient tangible assets but possessing excellent intellectual property (IP) provided a total of KRW 101.6 billion to 187 companies throughout 2024, contributing to strengthening the technological competitiveness of SMEs.
Venture Loan
IBK introduced Venture Loan for the first time in Korea in 2023 to help startups overcome the Death Valley and continue sustainable growth. Venture Loan is a financial program that supports startups with insufficient collateral or financial performance but possessing high technological capabilities and growth potential. IBK provides funds to companies with high potential for follow-up investment and shares the benefits of increased corporate value through stock acquisition rights upon successful Initial Public Offering (IPO).
By 2024, IBK provided 162 companies with Venture Loan amounting to KRW 183.2 billion, and plans to supply an additional KRW 100 billion by 2025, operating a total of KRW 300 billion in Venture Loan over three years. This supply will contribute to promoting the growth of promising startups and revitalizing the venture ecosystem.
Venture Capital
IBK has set a target to supply a total of KRW 2.5 trillion in venture capital over three years from 2023 to 2025. In 2024, the bank contributed to the revitalization of the venture investment market by supplying a record high of KRW 986.5 billion. The bank supports startups to overcome the Death Valley by expanding investments, and continues to expand scale-up investments in companies that lack collateral or financial stability but possess excellent technology. As a result of these strategic investments, the bank successfully supported the growth and market entry of 14 companies during 2024, leading to their IPO.
Additionally, to further strengthen its influence in the venture capital market, IBK has established the first public offering investment project, the IBK Innovation Fund. The bank plans to invest a total of KRW 200 billion, including KRW 100 billion for Future-Leading Initiatives, KRW 45 billion for Specialized VCs (AI, energy/environment, and mobility), and KRW 55 billion for Growth to Mid-Sized Company, matching the investments with private funds to create a fund exceeding KRW 500 billion. This initiative will enable the bank to revitalize the venture ecosystem and secure future customers, while realizing sustainable innovative finance.
Customized Financial Services for Startups and Venture Companies, and Support for Entering Global Markets
Financial Support for Startups and Venture Companies
IBK has expanded both financial and non-financial support to promote the growth of startups and venture companies, actively pursuing the expansion of the startup ecosystem domestically and internationally. In 2024, the bank exceeded the funding supply target for startup companies by 126.4%, providing a total of KRW 25.3 trillion to facilitate the capital procurement of early-stage startups. It operates specialized loan products that offer preferential interest rates and preferential loan limits to startups and venture companies to enhance their financial accessibility. In addition, the bank operated a new financial program with the budget of KRW 858.9 billion for companies with innovative growth and investment attraction within 7 years of establishment.
IBK Changgong
Since the opening of the Mapo Center in 2017, IBK Changgong has established itself as a core platform for nurturing startup companies by supporting approximately 925 companies through five centers (Mapo, Guro, Busan, Daejeon, and Gwangju) and two camps (Seoul National University, and UNIST). The platform has strengthened the growth foundation of startup companies by providing financial support amounting to KRW 2.17 trillion and 13,112 instances of non-financial support such as mentoring and consulting services. To revitalize the domestic startup ecosystem, the IBK Changgong Gwangju Center, which opened in September 2024, selects 20 companies annually, providing investment attraction, market development, commercialization support, and office space, thereby contributing to regional balanced development.
To expand the global startup network, IBK opened the IBK Changgong Silicon Valley Desk in Silicon Valley, United States, in September 2023. In October 2024, IBK launched the IBK Changgong Europe Desk in collaboration with Saarland, Germany, and the KIST European Research Institute. Through these platforms, the bank supports startups in entering the European market and establishing a global foothold.
IBK will continue to expand financial and non-financial support for the growth of startups and venture companies, and build a competitive startup ecosystem not only in the domestic market but also in the global market.
IBK Changgong Gwangju Center Opening Ceremony (September 2024)
IBK Changgong Europe Desk Opening Ceremony (October 2024)
Providing Financial Solutions to Strengthen the Competitiveness of the K-Content Industry
IBK has actively supported the cultural content industry to discover future growth engines and strengthen the global competitiveness of K-Content. Since 2012, as the only bank in Korea to operate a dedicated K-Content Finance Department, IBK has contributed to the development of the K-Content industry by supporting loans and investments amounting to approximately KRW 9 trillion over the past 12 years. In 2024, the bank supported the production of excellent K-Content by supplying K-Content venture capital exceeding KRW 40 billion, the largest amount ever. Additionally, in collaboration with the Korea Technology Finance Corporation (KOTEC), it launched a loan product to help small and medium-sized K-Content producers secure IP rights, further enhancing the accessibility of funding for them.
As a policy bank, IBK has also closely cooperated with the government's content industry policies. In June 2024, Kim Seong-tae, the IBK Chairman and CEO, was appointed as the representative private member for the finance sector in the Korea Content Industry Promotion Committee, the highest decision-making body in the content industry policy of the Republic of Korea. In October 2024, he signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Science and ICT to establish the K-Content Media Strategic Fund. Based on these achievements, IBK plans to support the sustainable growth of the K-Content industry and enhance its competitiveness in the global market.
Signing of the agreement for the establishment of the K-Content Media Strategic Fund and collaborative projects (October 2024)
Customized Management Support for SMEs through IBK Consulting
The IBK Consulting Center provides tailored consulting services to support the sustainable growth of SMEs in an environment of economic uncertainty and low growth. The Center operates the largest consulting organization in the financial sector, composed of 42 experts including business consultants from global consulting firms, accountants from large accounting firms, and tax accountants. These experts reside within companies to provide practical consulting in various fields such as tax and accounting, ESG, management, and labor.
Throughout the year 2024, the Center conducted a total of 1,994 face-to-face consultations, supporting various business issues such as business succession, risk management, and legal and regulatory compliance. It has expanded its consulting service areas to provide further customized solutions for companies, such as business succession based on revised tax laws, fire prevention and safety management, HR management capabilities and Ministry of Employment and Labor inspections.
Additionally, IBK has introduced the ESG-related Safety Self-Diagnosis Tool for the first time in the financial sector, enabling SMEs to independently assess the level of industrial safety at their workplaces and immediately identify key areas for improvement. Through this, IBK has laid the foundation for SMEs to strengthen their management system for the prevention of serious industrial accidents and industrial safety, supporting their sustainable growth.
