IB-turned-podcaster in quest of hidden startup gems

A seasoned investment banker of Korean origin, David Kim, has turned his eyes to rising startups that have yet to receive attention and began to introduce them as a podcast hoster, with a mission: Connect them with investors around the world.

He has launched two podcasting channels for interviews -- "CEO Roundtable-Bridging Asia" and "Asian Investors." On the platforms, he uploads three to four episodes every week, including interviews with a senior advisor to Elliott Associates, which is a world-famous leading US based activist investment fund founded by Mr. Paul Singer; the founding managing partner of the world's first and largest fishfarming investment fund from Netherlandsand; and CEO of Nepal's largest conglomerate also know as the noodle king.

"I will introduce various startups from emerging markets that have yet to attract public attention," said David Kim, founder and chief executive of North Head Capital Partners, a Hong Kong-based investment firm.

CEO Roundtable-Bridging Asia deals with interesting stories behind entrepreneurs of rising startups and small- and medium-sized enterprises around the world. Two to three episodes on various industries are uploaded every week, ranging from agriculture, crowdfunding and fintech to fashion.

Currently, digital audio files on 51 African startups have been uploaded. He is now preparing to begin new startup series for those based in Asia and South America.

The other podcast platform "Asian Investors" covers interviews with various venture capital firms and private equity firms, as well as investors interested in companies seeking global expansion, regardless of size. It uploads one episode per week.

"My goal is to connect promising startups with investors from around the world through the two podcast channels," Kim told Market Insight, the capital news outlet of The Korea Economic Daily.

Kim has been in the financial investment industry for almost three decades, during which he had worked in six Asian centers, including China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Hong Kong. In South Korea, he had worked as an investment banking head of GE Capital Korea.

His extensive network based on diverse working and educational backgrounds enriched his podcasting job, along with his experience in foreign countries.

"Our first few episodes were hosted by high-profile guests. Then our sites became popular by word of mouth," Kim said.

He studied at universities in Seoul, China, Tokyo and Helsinki, Finland: Korea University in Seoul; Tsinghua University in China; Kyorin University in Japan; and Aalto University School of Business in Finland, previously known as the Helsinki School of Economics, the largest business school in Finland. 

His long overseas experience led him to start the podcasts, after he realized most Asian countries excluding China have stayed off the radar of western people.  

"Now two-thirds of big global cities are in Asia and by purchasing power parity, Asia accounts for more than half of the global economy," he added. "The word 'Asia' at the end of th channel name points to the importance of the Asian market."

Going forward, Kim will expand his coverage into other parts of the world, including Africa and South America, with a goal to find blue oceans for both entrepreneurs and investors.

For the time being, his priority will be on growing the podcasting platforms to build an ecosystem that benefits both promising startups and investors, rather than making a profit. Kim expects the podcasting business to turn profitable as they grow in size.

He advised Korean companies to have a broader market perspective. A decade ago, when a large retailer in Angola, Africa was put up for sale, South Korean conglomerates had not tried to look at the asset, only because they had no knowledge of the African market.  

"It is important to look at broader emerging markets, instead of going all in one to two specific regions. Their overseas investments should be tailored to the local market conditions in order to co-grow," he noted.

Next month, Kim is preparing to launch an online networking platform for entrepreneurs and investors.

Write to Jong-woo Kim at jongwoo@hankyung.com
Yeonhee Kim edited this article.