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As part of our commitment to building the next generation of founders, The Korea Society is bringing Startup Scene to Yale Ventures – connecting one of the world’s most dynamic consumer technology investors with Yale’s entrepreneurial community. We are honored to welcome Eric Kim, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Goodwater Capital and Yale University alumnus, for a fireside conversation on building global consumer technology companies across borders.

Eric Kim will reflect on his journey to founding Goodwater Capital, a leading global venture firm with a portfolio of transformative consumer technology companies including Kakao, Coupang, Spotify, ByteDance, and Stitch Fix. Please join us as Eric shares insights on the rise of the global startup ecosystem, cross-border investment strategy, and how investors identify and scale the next generation of consumer platforms.

 

This program is supported by Hanwha Life

Co-Hosted with

 

Global Venture Without Borders: A Conversation with Eric Kim

Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 12:00 PM (EDT)


 Tsai CITY (Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale)
17 Prospect St, New Haven, CT

 

About the Speaker:

Eric Kim
Goodwater Capital

Eric J. Kim is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Goodwater Capital, a global consumer technology venture capital firm. He has led investments in companies including Kakao, TikTok, Coupang, Xendit, Viva Republica (Toss), Daangn Market (Karrot), MoMo, Scentbird, Hallow, Midi Health, and Everlywell.

Previously, Eric was a Managing Director at Maverick Capital, where he helped build the firm’s global venture capital, leading investments across North America, Europe, and Asia. He began his career as a business analyst at McKinsey & Company.

Eric has long been involved in education and the arts. A classically trained cellist, he was a member of the Grammy-nominated Yale Cellos. He serves on the Board of Advisors for Yale University’s School of Music and on the boards of Empowerly and StudySmarter, companies operating at the intersection of AI and education, and previously served on the national board of College Track.

Eric earned his undergraduate degree in Cognitive Science from Yale University (Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude) and an MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.