KRAFTON and Naver Launch INR 6,000 Crore Fund to Back Indian Tech Startups

KRAFTON Inc. and Naver Corporation have jointly launched a new India-focused investment fund worth INR 6,000 crore, aimed at backing the next wave of Indian technology companies.

The fund is called the Unicorn Growth Fund, and it is being managed by Mirae Asset Venture Investments (MAVI), the private investment arm of the Mirae Asset group.

According to the announcement, this is the largest India-focused capital pool ever raised by an Asian technology-led platform.

The announcement was made on April 21, 2026, in New Delhi. It followed a high-level meeting that brought together some serious names. Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal was present, along with South Korea's Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources Dr. Jung-Kwan Kim. The global CEOs of KRAFTON and Naver also attended, as did the CEO of MAVI India.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the South Korean President's official visit to India, which included bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior Cabinet members.

Where Will the Money Go?

The Unicorn Growth Fund will invest primarily in growth-stage companies. It focuses on four key themes:

• Technology Platforms: Consumer internet, digital marketplaces, and next-generation platform infrastructure

• Consumer Discretionary: Digitally-native brands and new-age consumer businesses targeting India's rising middle class

• AI and Software: Generative AI, applied AI, enterprise SaaS, and developer tooling

• Deep Tech: Semiconductors, space-tech, robotics, advanced materials, and frontier science

Beyond capital, portfolio companies will also get access to product, AI, gaming, and platform expertise directly from KRAFTON and Naver. There is also a clear pathway into Korean and broader Asian markets, which adds serious strategic value for any Indian startup looking to go global.

Puneet Kumar, CEO of Mirae Asset Venture Investments (India) Private Limited, shared his thoughts on the fund's purpose. "India is at an inflection point. Over the next decade, we expect a new generation of Indian technology champions built in India, for the world. As fund manager and advisor of the Unicorn Growth Fund, Mirae Asset is privileged to bring together KRAFTON and Naver's strategic capabilities with our on-the-ground investing platform in India."

Naver's Global CEO Soo-yeon Choi also weighed in. "India is rapidly emerging as a global hub for digital innovation, powered by exceptional talent and a vibrant startup ecosystem. Building on our experience investing in leading Indian platforms, NAVER sees strong potential to support the next generation of AI-driven companies with global ambition. Through the Unicorn Growth Fund, we aim to combine capital, technology, and strategic partnerships to help Indian innovators scale globally."

CH Kim, CEO of KRAFTON Inc., added a gaming-specific angle to the conversation. "India is one of the most important markets for KRAFTON, not just for its scale but for its potential as a global game development hub. With a strong base of young, skilled technology talent and improving digital infrastructure, we see India evolving from a consumption-driven market to a creator economy for gaming. The Unicorn Growth Fund reflects our long-term commitment to this ecosystem."

KRAFTON's History in India

KRAFTON is no stranger to the Indian market. The company has already established a strong presence here through Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), the Krafton India Gaming Incubator (KIGI), and prior investments in Indian startups including NODWIN Gaming, Loco, Pratilipi, and Kuku FM. Under CEO Sean Sohn, KRAFTON India has focused on localization, talent development, and long-term ecosystem building. The Unicorn Growth Fund is a natural extension of that strategy, now stretching beyond gaming into the broader Indian tech economy.

This is also the first joint venture bringing KRAFTON, Naver, and Mirae Asset together under one roof in India. The fund builds on an initial announcement made in 2025 and now carries formal backing from both the Indian and South Korean governments, which gives it a solid institutional foundation.