Nautic Investment

Nautic Investment (Korean: 노틱인베스트먼트) is an independent South Korean private equity firm headquartered in the Two IFC building in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. It was founded in 2018 by Kim Sung-yong, a former head of the private equity division at SK Securities. The firm is registered with the Financial Services Commission under the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and it positions itself as a specialist investor in Korea's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), often described as 'hidden champions.' Nautic Investment pursues three main strategies: management buyouts, growth M&A financing, and growth capital investment, including pre-IPO rounds. Its investment philosophy is built on the idea that 'trust is the cornerstone of investment,' and it states three core missions: the growth of the company and its members, generating excess returns through operational improvements at portfolio companies, and contributing to local community development. The firm has also established a systematic ESG investment framework across its entire investment process. According to its Korean Wikipedia entry, Nautic Investment has raised 11 project funds and 2 blind funds, with cumulative assets under management (AUM) reaching approximately KRW 400 billion. Its portfolio has included companies such as M2I (smart factory solutions), Hankuk Fiber, Doosung Special Vehicle, MICube Solution, Nara Cellar, SP Systems, and PowerCube Semi. In 2025, the firm was reported to be pursuing the acquisition of Time Education, known for its Soma thinking-math and Mirae Tamgu brands, for approximately KRW 900 billion. The firm operates from its Seoul headquarters and focuses on the Korean market. It remains privately held and independent, without a listed parent company.

Nautic Investment was founded in 2018 by Kim Sung-yong, who previously served as a manager and team head in the private equity division of SK Securities. The firm was established as an independent private equity company registered with the Financial Services Commission under the Ministry of Economy and Finance of South Korea. From its headquarters in the Two IFC building in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Nautic Investment built a team of investment professionals with experience at leading Korean private equity and venture capital firms. The firm's investment approach centers on buyouts, growth M&A financing, and growth capital, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises that it identifies as hidden champions. Its stated philosophy is that 'trust is the cornerstone of investment,' and it pursues three missions: growth of the company and its members, excess returns through operational improvements at portfolio companies, and contribution to community development. Nautic Investment has also integrated ESG considerations throughout its investment process. According to its Korean Wikipedia entry, Nautic Investment has raised 11 project funds and 2 blind funds, with cumulative assets under management reaching approximately KRW 400 billion. Its portfolio investments have included M2I, a smart factory solutions company acquired in consortium with PTA Equity Partners; Hankuk Fiber; Doosung Special Vehicle; MICube Solution; Nara Cellar; SP Systems; and PowerCube Semi, in which it invested KRW 2 billion. In 2025, the firm was reported to be pursuing the acquisition of Time Education, known for its Soma thinking-math and Mirae Tamgu brands, for approximately KRW 900 billion. The firm remains privately held and independent, with no listed parent company.

• 2025

  Reportedly pursuing acquisition of Time Education for approximately KRW 900 billion

• 2018

  Founded by Kim Sung-yong, former manager/team head in SK Securities' PE division

Independent private equity firm targeting hidden champions in South Korea through buyouts, growth M&A financing and pre-IPO investment.

• Buyout

  Acquisition of management control in Korean SMEs

• Growth M&A Financing

  Financing to support growth-oriented M&A

• Growth Capital

  Growth capital investment including pre-IPO rounds

1. 1Home | Nautic Investment | Koreanauticinv.com
2. 2About Us | Nautic Investmentnauticinv.com
3. 3Nautic Investment - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4노틱인베스트먼트 - Wikipedia (Korean)ko.wikipedia.org