David Lee is head of Samsung Next, the corporate venturing arm of electronics and semiconductor maker Samsung, focused on early-stage technology.
Under his leadership since 2021, the unit has made more than 230 investments, including in AI technologies across major innovation ecosystems globally. At Samsung Next, Lee collaborates closely with Brendon Kim, who serves as the unit’s head of investments. Samsung Next is one of several investment funds at the South Korean multinational conglomerate, including Samsung Ventures and Samsung Catalyst Fund.
Samsung Next has made more than 230 investments and backed more than 330 businesses
The Samsung Next team has 38 people, including an investment team of 20, with 12 people in operational roles and a six-person platform team who help the portfolio startups develop and connect with Samsung.
Previously known as Samsung Global Innovation Center, Samsung Next covers the innovation ecosystems of Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Tel Aviv, Seoul and Silicon Valley. The unit targets emerging technologies including AI, blockchain, fintech, healthtech, infrastructure, media tech and robotics. It actively engages in strategic investments and mergers and acquisitions, as well as corporate strategy.
Since inception, Samsung Next has backed more than 330 businesses. Recent investments include backing Playtron, which is bringing the PC gaming experience to mobile devices, and Bria, a visual AI generation platform designed for enterprise use.
Last year, the team launched the Q Fund, a specialist early-stage fund focused on AI startups tackling the toughest challenges in computational intelligence.
Lee joined the Samsung Next team after five years serving as a managing partner at Refactor Capital, the venture capital firm he co-founded in 2016 alongside former Andreessen Horowitz investor Zal Bilimoria. Prior to Refactor Capital, Lee was managing partner at SV Angel.
The Global Corporate Venturing Powerlist represents the 100
individuals spearheading the future of the corporate venturing industry.
These individuals excel in terms of their venturing approach and structure, number and quality of portfolio companies and in their contributions to the corporate venturing profession.