The Korea Development Bank announced today (July 29) that it has finalized the selection of five general partners for the 2026 Southern Region Growth Support Fund.

Theum Partners and Rilson Private Equity were selected as the general partners for the private equity (PE) fund, which has a scale of 240 billion won.

The target fund-raising size for each of the two companies is 1,200 billion won.

Three firms—Reinvestment, Wonik Investment Partners, and E&Investment—were chosen for the venture capital (VC) fund (scaled at 105 billion won), and each management company is required to raise 35 billion won.

Using the Korea Development Bank's 100 billion won investment as seed money, they plan to form a total fund worth 345 billion won.

This initiative aims to strengthen the regional venture ecosystem in the southern region (Busan, Ulsan, South Gyeongsang, South Jeolla, Gwangju, and North Jeolla) and contribute to securing business competitiveness through investments in new industries.

The Korea Development Bank emphasized, "In line with government policy directions, we will fulfill our role as a policy financial institution to promote balanced regional development and the growth of businesses in the southern region."

(Photo: Yonhap News)