Loading organizations...
§ Venture Capital · New York City, NY, USA
Samsung NEXT invests in transformative seed-stage software and services startups.
Samsung NEXT functions as Samsung Electronics' corporate venture capital arm, investing strategically in seed-stage software and services startups. It provides capital and operational support for companies innovating across key emerging technology sectors: AI & Robotics, Blockchain, Fintech, Healthtech, Infrastructure, and Mediatech. The firm aims to nurture external technologies aligning with Samsung’s long-term vision.
Established in 2013 by Samsung Electronics, Samsung NEXT originated from the company's recognition of software and services' growing importance in technology. This initiative enabled Samsung to proactively engage with disruptive innovation at nascent stages, extending its technological footprint beyond internal R&D. It represents a strategic move for future growth and industry leadership.
Samsung NEXT primarily supports early-stage founders, offering crucial funding and strategic partnership. Its vision is to shape technology’s future by empowering entrepreneurs building software and service platforms. Through targeted investments, the organization fosters a dynamic innovation ecosystem, advancing Samsung’s global interests.
Key people at Samsung NEXT Ventures.
Samsung NEXT Ventures is the venture capital and startup acceleration arm of Samsung Group, founded in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco with offices globally. Its mission is to invest in bold and ambitious founders developing transformative technologies across sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, fintech, healthtech, infrastructure, and media-tech. Samsung NEXT supports startups by providing funding, mentorship, and access to Samsung’s extensive global network of engineers, designers, and business experts, thereby fostering innovation and growth within the startup ecosystem[1][2][3].
Originating as Samsung’s strategic vehicle to identify and nurture early-stage technology startups, Samsung NEXT was established to extend Samsung’s innovation reach beyond its core hardware business. The leadership team includes David Lee (Head of Samsung NEXT), Brendon Kim (Head of Investments), and other managing directors across regions. The firm has evolved to not only invest but also run programs like the Stack Zero Grant Program for open-source software and the Q Fund for quantum computing startups, reflecting a broadening focus on frontier technologies[1].
Samsung NEXT rides the wave of rapid technological advancements in AI, blockchain, healthtech, and frontier technologies. The timing is critical as these sectors are experiencing explosive growth and disruption across industries. By investing early in these transformative technologies, Samsung NEXT not only accelerates innovation but also helps shape the future of consumer services, enterprise solutions, and infrastructure. Its influence extends beyond funding, as it actively cultivates ecosystems through grants and specialized funds, positioning Samsung as a key player in the global innovation economy[1][3].
Looking ahead, Samsung NEXT is poised to deepen its investments in frontier technologies such as quantum computing and AI-driven intelligent machines. Trends like AI democratization, healthtech personalization, and blockchain integration will likely shape its portfolio strategy. As Samsung NEXT continues to leverage Samsung’s global scale and expertise, its influence on the startup ecosystem is expected to grow, fostering new waves of innovation that align with Samsung’s vision of expanding human potential through technology[1][3][4].
Key people at Samsung NEXT Ventures.
Samsung NEXT Ventures has more than 26 tracked investments across 24 companies. The latest tracked deal is $50.0M Life Technologies - Series C in Full-Life Technologies in September 2025.
