JE

Jay Eum

Managing Partner at GFT Ventures

Palo Alto, California

Overview 

Jay Eum is the Founding Managing Partner at GFT Ventures in Palo Alto, California, with a focus on investing in early-stage companies in sectors like AR/VR, Web3/Blockchain, and AI. With an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business and extensive experience at firms like Samsung Ventures and McKinsey & Company, Jay has successfully invested in companies like SoundHound and Quixey, demonstrating his strategic acumen and leadership in the venture capital space.

Work Experience 

  • Founding Managing Partner

    2021 - Current

GFT Ventures is an early-stage frontier technology-focused VC firm investing primarily in the US and Israel.

  • Senior Advisor

    2020

  • Co-Founder

    2007

    Jay Eum is Co-Founder of TransLink Capital. Jay is responsible for TransLink's investments in Carbonite (NASDAQ: CARB), Chartboost, Enterprise DB (acquired by Peak Equity Partners), Epic!, Gamevice, nWay, Peel, Penrose, Singular, SoundHound, SquareTwo and YuMe (NYSE: YUME). He is also responsible for supporting TransLink's portfolio companies with their customers and partners primarily in Korea.

Translink Capital helps entrepreneurs develop customer connections and partnerships in Asia.

  • Managing Director

    2003 - 2007

    Jay was the head of Samsung Ventures America. He was responsible for starting up the U.S. operations for Samsung Venture Investment Corp., the venture investment arm of Samsung, and leading their U.S.-based investments and portfolio management. Jay directly led several successful Samsung Ventures' investments including AnalogTech (NASDAQ: AATI), Continuous Computing (acquired by RadiSyS), DivX (NASDAQ: DIVX), InPhi (NASDAQ: IPHI), Intellon (NASDAQ: ITLN), MontaVista (acquired by Cavium), Pure Digital (acquired by Cisco), Techwell (NASDAQ: TWLL) and Teknovus (acquired by Broadcom).

The main role of GSG is to enhance Samsung’s business performance and global reach, while simultaneously developing a pool of talented

  • General Manager, North Asia

    2003 - 2003

    Vertex Management Portfolio company. Mobile data roaming service provider spun-off from GRIC Communications, Inc., (NASDAQ: GRIC). Responsible for business development and sales in Korea and Japan. Directly reported to CEO.

Aicent provides data network services and solutions for mobile operators, and operates integrated mobile messaging services.

Raised $36,640,000.00 from TA Associates.

  • Vice President

    1999 - 2002

    Jay was an investment officer with the Silicon Valley office of Vertex Management, a global VC firm headquartered in Singapore. At Vertex, Jay focused on investments in communications, mobile, and Internet including GRIC Communications (NASDAQ: GRIC). He also represented Vertex at several portfolio companies including Aicent (acquired by Syniverse), Mobile 365 (acquired by Sybase), and PayPal (acquired by eBay).

  • Sr. Director

    2000 - 2001

    Jay was Senior Director of business development at Dialpad Communications (acquired by Yahoo), where he closed strategic partnerships with Microsoft, Cisco, and Earthlink.

  • Associate

    1999 - 2000

McKinsey Growth Tech serves leading growth stage tech players, venture capital, and growth private equity

  • Summer Associate

    1998 - 1999

Goldman Sachs is a multinational financial services firm providing securities, investment banking, and management services.

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