At the invitation of the Incheon Center for Creative Economy and Innovation (ICCEI), our co-CEO Jeonghan Uhm (Shawn) recently delivered a lecture titled <The Basics of Early-Stage Investment> for industry stakeholders. While the subject matter can be complex, he focused on making it as accessible as possible by drawing on our real-world investment cases.
This lecture covers everything from the core principles of the Korean startup ecosystem to practical tips for investment execution—essential knowledge for both entrepreneurs and investors.
The lecture materials are available at the bottom of this post.
1. Investment Roadmap and the Role of VCs
We explored the growth stages of a startup, from Seed to IPO, detailing the purpose and scale of investment at each phase. A key takeaway was the "Mountain Climbing" analogy:
Getting a VC funding is like reaching a Basecamp.
IPO is not the final summit; even more challenging peaks, such as global expansion and M&A, lie ahead.
The message was clear: An IPO is not the end, but a new beginning.
2. The Investor’s Lens: 10 Criteria for Evaluating Startups
To address the curiosity regarding how Korean investors make decisions, Shawn presented the "10 Checkpoints for Startup Investment."
Product & Solution: Have you accurately identified "Unmet Needs"?
Market & Competition: Is the market large enough, and is there a differentiated strategy?
Team Capability: Is the team composed of the right people to solve the problem?
Others: We also conducted in-depth analysis on revenue models, financial plans, and future milestones.
3. Mechanisms of Individual Investment Fund & Tax Benefits
We took a deep dive into Individual Investment Fund (Angel Funds), which are vital for activating early-stage investment. Using the "BLT & Partners Individual Investment Fund No. 1" as a case study, Shawn explained:
The fund structure and the role of the GP (General Partner).
The Income Tax Deduction benefits, which are a major draw for individual investors.
Specific examples of tax refunds based on income levels to demonstrate the economic advantages of early-stage investing.
4. Practical Tips for Strengthening Capacity
The session included actionable advice for entrepreneurs to improve their IR (Investor Relations) and communication:
IR Materials: How to benchmark the IR documents of public companies.
Communication: Avoiding "small but fatal" mistakes, such as being unclear with subjects and objects when speaking with investors.
Equity Knowledge: Improving understanding of complex investment instruments like RCPS (Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock) and SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) in the Korean context.
Who Should Watch/Read This?
Aspiring Founders & Early-Stage CEOs: Those who feel lost on how to prepare for fundraising.
Potential Angel Investors: Individuals looking to discover promising companies and enjoy tax benefits through investment associations.
Startup Support Professionals: Those who need to understand ecosystem trends to better mentor startups.
At BLT & Partners, we don't just "Bet" capital; we aim to "Build Together" as partners with companies that possess strong Intellectual Property (IP) and technological prowess.
Contact Us for More Information:
At the invitation of the Incheon Center for Creative Economy and Innovation (ICCEI), our co-CEO Jeonghan Uhm (Shawn) recently delivered a lecture titled <The Basics of Early-Stage Investment> for industry stakeholders. While the subject matter can be complex, he focused on making it as accessible as possible by drawing on our real-world investment cases.
This lecture covers everything from the core principles of the Korean startup ecosystem to practical tips for investment execution—essential knowledge for both entrepreneurs and investors.
The lecture materials are available at the bottom of this post.
1. Investment Roadmap and the Role of VCs
We explored the growth stages of a startup, from Seed to IPO, detailing the purpose and scale of investment at each phase. A key takeaway was the "Mountain Climbing" analogy:
Getting a VC funding is like reaching a Basecamp.
IPO is not the final summit; even more challenging peaks, such as global expansion and M&A, lie ahead.
The message was clear: An IPO is not the end, but a new beginning.
2. The Investor’s Lens: 10 Criteria for Evaluating Startups
To address the curiosity regarding how Korean investors make decisions, Shawn presented the "10 Checkpoints for Startup Investment."
Product & Solution: Have you accurately identified "Unmet Needs"?
Market & Competition: Is the market large enough, and is there a differentiated strategy?
Team Capability: Is the team composed of the right people to solve the problem?
Others: We also conducted in-depth analysis on revenue models, financial plans, and future milestones.
3. Mechanisms of Individual Investment Fund & Tax Benefits
We took a deep dive into Individual Investment Fund (Angel Funds), which are vital for activating early-stage investment. Using the "BLT & Partners Individual Investment Fund No. 1" as a case study, Shawn explained:
The fund structure and the role of the GP (General Partner).
The Income Tax Deduction benefits, which are a major draw for individual investors.
Specific examples of tax refunds based on income levels to demonstrate the economic advantages of early-stage investing.
4. Practical Tips for Strengthening Capacity
The session included actionable advice for entrepreneurs to improve their IR (Investor Relations) and communication:
IR Materials: How to benchmark the IR documents of public companies.
Communication: Avoiding "small but fatal" mistakes, such as being unclear with subjects and objects when speaking with investors.
Equity Knowledge: Improving understanding of complex investment instruments like RCPS (Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock) and SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) in the Korean context.
Who Should Watch/Read This?
Aspiring Founders & Early-Stage CEOs: Those who feel lost on how to prepare for fundraising.
Potential Angel Investors: Individuals looking to discover promising companies and enjoy tax benefits through investment associations.
Startup Support Professionals: Those who need to understand ecosystem trends to better mentor startups.
At BLT & Partners, we don't just "Bet" capital; we aim to "Build Together" as partners with companies that possess strong Intellectual Property (IP) and technological prowess.
Contact Us for More Information:
Official Website: http://bnp.ac
Email: bnp@BLT.kr