InterVest: Bridging Venture Capital and Web3 Innovation in South Korea
As the digital economy continues to evolve, venture capital firms are adapting their strategies to match the speed of technological change. In South Korea, one investor has taken a leading role in translating blockchain potential into real-world opportunity. Hogun Lee, Investment Principal at InterVest, is shaping the firm’s Web3 strategy and guiding it toward the next generation of internet infrastructure.
A Technologist Turned Investor
Before entering venture capital, Lee worked as a blockchain engineer, a background that now informs his analytical approach to investing. With a degree in computer science from Cornell University, he built his career on understanding how distributed technologies function beneath the surface. During his time at Cornell, he served as president of the Cornell Blockchain Club, an early indication of his passion for decentralized systems and their potential to transform global industries.
That combination of technical depth and business insight made him a natural fit for InterVest, one of South Korea’s largest venture capital firms with 1.6 billion dollars in assets under management. Founded more than two decades ago, InterVest has backed some of Asia’s most successful startups, including Pinkfong, the creator of the viral children’s hit Baby Shark, and Ably, the Alibaba-backed women’s fashion unicorn.
When Lee joined in 2022, he was tasked with launching and leading InterVest’s new Web3 fund, aimed at identifying projects that merge blockchain technology with practical applications in finance, entertainment, and digital infrastructure.
Launching InterVest’s Web3 Vision
Under Lee’s direction, the Web3 fund has already invested more than 21 million dollars across ten startups. These include Seoul-based EQBR, a company developing blockchain-based communication protocols, and Fazz, a Singapore-headquartered fintech startup operating the StraitsX stablecoin network in Southeast Asia. Each investment reflects a deliberate effort to bridge traditional venture investing with the decentralized finance ecosystem.
Lee’s goal is to help InterVest become a long-term catalyst for blockchain adoption rather than a speculative participant. His team focuses on startups building tangible products and revenue models, emphasizing projects that use blockchain to improve scalability, security, and transparency across digital transactions.
Building Credibility in a Rapidly Changing Market
The Web3 landscape is volatile, characterized by rapid innovation and sudden shifts in market sentiment. For Lee, success depends on maintaining technical rigor and strategic patience. His engineering background allows him to evaluate startups from both a product and protocol level, ensuring that investments are grounded in solid architecture rather than hype.
He also draws on his experience as a global ambassador for Avalanche, a blockchain platform developed by Ava Labs and backed by Andreessen Horowitz. Through that role, Lee has worked closely with developers and investors worldwide, gaining insights into how blockchain ecosystems grow when supported by reliable infrastructure and community engagement.
By applying those lessons at InterVest, he is positioning the firm to become a leading institutional investor in Asia’s blockchain economy. His strategy is not only about returns but about building long-term trust in a technology often misunderstood or misused.
The Role of InterVest in South Korea’s Tech Ecosystem
InterVest occupies a unique space in South Korea’s innovation ecosystem. With extensive experience across sectors such as media, commerce, and healthcare, the firm provides a steady foundation for ventures exploring emerging frontiers like Web3. Lee’s addition to the team has expanded its reach into decentralized technology, making it one of the few traditional venture funds in the country with a dedicated blockchain division.
This approach aligns with South Korea’s growing government and corporate interest in blockchain applications. As digital identity, gaming, and metaverse initiatives gain momentum, investors like InterVest are helping ensure that domestic startups can compete globally. Lee’s work plays a vital role in connecting those startups with international partners and capital networks.
The Future of Venture and Decentralization
Lee envisions a future where traditional finance and decentralized systems coexist, creating hybrid models that improve efficiency and access. For him, Web3 is not about replacing existing institutions but about upgrading them. InterVest’s investments under his guidance reflect that balance, supporting companies that combine regulatory compliance with technological innovation.
His transition from engineer to investor mirrors the evolution of venture capital itself. By combining technical expertise with strategic capital allocation, he represents a new generation of investors fluent in both code and commerce.
As Web3 continues to mature, Lee’s leadership ensures that InterVest remains not just an observer but a builder within the ecosystem. Through patient investment, disciplined analysis, and regional collaboration, he is helping define how South Korea participates in the next chapter of the digital economy.
