IBK-CRIT Global Content Investment Fund brings Square Enix in as a limited partner to back games, K-Pop IP, and media ventures

KRIT Ventures has established a KRW 37.5 billion global content investment fund, the IBK-CRIT Global Content Investment Fund, aimed at backing investments in games, K-Pop IP, and media/IP ventures. The fund’s limited partners include Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK), Kolma Holdings, and A-LUX, with Japan’s Square Enix joining as an LP.

Square Enix’s participation marks its first-ever involvement in a domestic venture capital fund, and KRIT Ventures plans to collaborate continuously with domestic game studios and other content companies that Square Enix supports.

The formation of the fund also expands KRIT Ventures’ asset base, with assets under management expected to exceed KRW 3,000억 (about KRW 300 billion).

Notable investments by KRIT Ventures in the cultural-content space include the game company Averton, the K-Pop distribution label Kai Media, the music data SaaS ChartMetric, the AI-entertaintech firm Galaxy Corporation, and the overseas film production RunUp Company.

Lee Jong-hyuk, KRIT Ventures’ managing director and head of the IBK-CRIT Global Content Investment Fund, said the firm would “spare no effort investing and supporting promising companies so they can grow into global top-tier firms.”