John Nahm

John Nahm stands as a pivotal figure in the early-stage venture capital landscape, serving as a Managing Partner and co-founder at Strong Ventures. Based in Los Angeles, Strong Ventures has carved out a unique niche by focusing on investing in exceptional Korean and Korean-American founders globally. Under Nahm's leadership, the firm provides crucial capital and strategic guidance to startups aiming to disrupt various industries.

Nahm's investment philosophy is deeply rooted in his own successful entrepreneurial journey. He brings a founder-first perspective to Strong Ventures, understanding the challenges and opportunities inherent in building a company from the ground up. This empathy and practical insight are invaluable to the portfolio companies he supports. His focus areas are broad but typically center on innovative technology solutions, including software as a service (SaaS), artificial intelligence (AI), fintech, consumer technology, and healthcare technology. He is particularly adept at identifying promising early-stage ventures with strong leadership and scalable business models.

Before co-founding Strong Ventures, John Nahm was a serial entrepreneur with a remarkable track record. He co-founded Viki, a global video streaming platform that was later acquired by Rakuten, a testament to his vision and execution capabilities. Prior to Viki, he also co-founded Enswers, a video search and analytics company that was successfully acquired by Naver, one of South Korea's largest internet companies. These experiences not only provided him with a deep understanding of product development, market entry, and scaling but also cultivated a robust network within the global tech ecosystem. His transition from a successful operator to an investor was natural, driven by a desire to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs.

As a Managing Partner, Nahm plays a critical role in Strong Ventures' investment decisions, portfolio management, and strategic direction. He actively mentors founders, helping them navigate fundraising, product-market fit, team building, and growth strategies. While specific individual investments are often a collaborative effort within the firm, Nahm's influence is evident in Strong Ventures' impressive portfolio, which includes companies like SendBird, a leading chat API provider, and Socar, a prominent car-sharing service. His leadership has been instrumental in establishing Strong Ventures as a go-to partner for early-stage founders with global ambitions, especially those bridging the gap between Silicon Valley and the vibrant Korean tech scene. His commitment to fostering innovation and supporting diverse founders continues to drive significant impact in the venture capital world.