NAVER D2SF Invests in 23i: A New Era in Virtual Entertainment
Seongnam-si, South Korea – July 8, 2026
NAVER D2SF, the venture capital arm of NAVER, has announced a strategic investment in 23i, a dynamic virtual entertainment startup. This investment highlights NAVER’s commitment to supporting the rapidly growing global virtual entertainment market, particularly in Korea and Japan.
Key Highlights:
- Content Production: 23i boasts strong planning and production capabilities tailored for multi-persona virtual artists.
- Virtual Technologies: The company has developed in-house technologies, including real-time motion capture and toon shaders, aimed at producing high-quality, engaging content.
- Collaborative Growth: NAVER D2SF aims to explore partnerships within its entertainment divisions as it continues investing across various virtual technologies.
23i’s Unique Approach
To foster lasting fandoms, 23i emphasizes the need for high-quality content that showcases virtual artists’ talents and personalities. Their innovative virtual UX technologies facilitate a production workflow that allows for rapid content creation.
The virtual boy group WE GO-6, introduced last year, is a prime example of their multi-persona concept, each member showcasing distinct characteristics and narratives, enriching fan engagement.
Leadership Insight
Hyungmin Kim, CEO of 23i, expressed that the funding will enhance their content production infrastructure and improve content quality. He believes that their proprietary technology will facilitate new forms of fan participation in entertainment that traditional methods do not currently allow.
Sanghwan Yang, Head of NAVER D2SF, commended 23i’s groundbreaking approach and scalability ambitions within the virtual entertainment industry.
About NAVER D2SF
NAVER D2SF has established itself as a key player in supporting startups by investing in emerging virtual content technologies, encompassing everything from 3D engines to motion capture systems. As it looks to the future, NAVER D2SF aims to persistently seek innovations that expand possibilities in the virtual content domain.
For more information, visit NAVER D2SF.
Source: NAVER D2SF
