KRAFTON Inc. and Naver Corporation have announced the launch of a new India-focused growth fund worth INR 6,000 crore. The vehicle, called the Unicorn Growth Fund, is the largest India-focused capital pool ever raised by an Asian technology-led platform.
The fund was announced in New Delhi on April 21, 2026. It will be managed and advised by Mirae Asset Venture Investments (MAVI), the Mirae Asset group’s private investment platform.
The Delhi Meeting Behind the Launch
The announcement followed a high-level meeting in New Delhi. Those present included Union Minister for Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal, Republic of Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources Dr. Jung-Kwan Kim, the global CEOs of KRAFTON and Naver, and the CEO of MAVI India.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the President of the Republic of Korea’s official visit to India. That visit included strategic bilateral discussions between the Korean leadership and Prime Minister Narendra Modi with senior members of his Cabinet.
Where the Money Will Go
The Unicorn Growth Fund will focus on four themes that the partners see as central to the next decade of India’s technology economy.
- Technology Platforms: consumer internet, digital marketplaces, and next-generation platform infrastructure.
- Consumer Discretionary: digitally-native brands and new-age consumer businesses serving India’s rising middle class.
- AI & Software: generative AI, applied AI, enterprise SaaS, and developer tooling.
- Deep Tech: semiconductors, space-tech, robotics, advanced materials, and frontier science.
The fund will invest primarily in growth-stage companies. The goal is to back Indian founders building category-leading companies with global ambition. Portfolio companies will also get access to product, AI, gaming, and platform expertise from KRAFTON and Naver, plus a route into Korean and broader Asian markets.
Leadership Comments
Puneet Kumar, CEO of Mirae Asset Venture Investments (India) Private Limited, said: “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.”
Soo-yeon Choi, Global CEO of Naver Corporation, said: “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., said: “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.”
Why This Matters for Indian Startups
KRAFTON is not new to India. The company has already built a deep presence here through BGMI, the Krafton India Gaming Incubator, and earlier investments in Indian startups such as NODWIN Gaming, Loco, Pratilipi, and Kuku FM.
Under CEO Sean Sohn, KRAFTON India’s strategy has focused on localization, talent development, and long-term ecosystem building. The Unicorn Growth Fund extends that approach beyond gaming and into the wider Indian tech economy.
This is also the first joint venture of its kind bringing KRAFTON, Naver, and Mirae Asset together in India. The fund builds on the initial announcement made late last year and now has formal backing from both governments.
About Mirae Asset Venture Investments
MAVI is the Mirae Asset group’s private investment platform. It has backed leading Indian technology companies across consumer internet, fintech, mobility, healthtech, and SaaS. MAVI will lead investment decisions for the Unicorn Growth Fund in India.
About KRAFTON
Headquartered in South Korea, KRAFTON Inc. was established in 2007. The company is home to studios including PUBG STUDIOS, Striking Distance Studios, Unknown Worlds, Bluehole Studio, and inZOI Studio, among others. KRAFTON describes itself as a tech-forward company with world-class capabilities, expanding into multimedia entertainment and deep learning alongside its core gaming business.
About Naver
Naver Corporation is South Korea’s leading internet company. It operates platforms across search, commerce, fintech, and content. Building on its consumer foundation, Naver is now expanding into B2B opportunities in AI and cloud, strengthening its role as a global technology partner.
