Kakao M Valuation, Funding & Investors

Kakao M is valued at $1.3B as of March 2020.

Last Kakao M valuation

$1.3B

Undisclosed stage · Mar 2020

Last Kakao M funding round

$172M

Undisclosed stage · Mar 2020

Cumulative funding Kakao M raised

$172M

across 1 funding round

Key investors in Kakao M

  • CPP Investments
  • Anchor Equity Partners

Kakao M Overview

About Kakao M

Kakao M is a Seoul-based music and entertainment label merged into Kakao Entertainment in 2021, formerly LOEN Entertainment founded in 1978. It produces albums for artists like IU and Zico, distributes tracks via Melon streaming service, and manages talent agencies for actors in dramas such as Hotel Del Luna. Kakao M handles concert production at venues like KSPO Dome, film investments including Parasite collaborations, and publishing rights for K-pop catalogs.


Founded

1978

HQ

South KoreaGwangju

Status

Privately held

Customer focus

B2B

Revenue model

Services

Valuation

$1.3B (Mar 2020)

Kakao M Valuation

Kakao M is currently valued at $1.3B, based on its undisclosed-stage round in March 2020.

The $172M round was led by Anchor Equity Partners, with participation from CPP Investments.

Kakao M valuation by funding round

Kakao M valuation by funding round
DateStageValuation
Mar 2020Undisclosed stage$1.3B

Kakao M Funding History

Kakao M has raised a total of $172M across 1 funding round.

Kakao M funding rounds

Kakao M funding rounds
DateStageInvestorsRaisedValuationDeal Summary
Mar 2020Undisclosed stageAnchor Equity Partners (lead); CPP Investments$172M$1.3BKakao M Corp. is South Korea's content and entertainment company and a subsidiary of Kakao Corp., the country's most popular chat application operator. The company focuses on expanding video content production, including television dramas and movies, while growing through acquisitions of domestic entertainment rivals. The company benefits from a roster of popular Korean movie stars and renowned film directors who serve as both talent and minority shareholders. Kakao M also leverages content from its affiliate KakaoPage, transforming webtoons and web-based novels into television and film productions to drive profitability. In March 2020, Anchor Equity Partners, a Korea-focused private equity firm, invested 209.8 billion won ($170 million) in Kakao M through a third-party allotment, acquiring a 12.9% stake. This investment valued the company at over 1.6 trillion won and positioned Anchor Equity as the second-largest shareholder, with Kakao Corp.'s ownership diluted from 89.8% to 78.1%. The investment represented a significant premium, with Anchor Equity paying 182,771 won per share—nearly 50% higher than the 2019 rights offering price of 122,695 won. Kakao M planned to use proceeds from the capital raise for content expansion and new business initiatives.

Who has invested in Kakao M?

2 investors have backed Kakao M across its funding rounds, including CPP Investments and Anchor Equity Partners.

Lead investors include Anchor Equity Partners.


Kakao M Investors

Investors in Kakao M by funding rounds participated
InvestorHQRoundsRoleFirst check

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Kakao M Competitors

Kakao M competitors include listed companies like SM Entertainment, Saregama India, JYP Entertainment and Tips Music, and private ones like Triller and S!NG.

Public and private companies comparable to Kakao M
CompanyHQStatusRevenueEBITDAValuationRevenue Multiple
SM EntertainmentSouth KoreaSouth KoreaPublicly listed$855M$311M$1.4B1.5x
TrillerUnited StatesLos Angeles, CAPrivate--$1.3B-
S!NGUnited StatesSeattle, WAPrivate--$1B-
Saregama IndiaIndiaIndiaPublicly listed$100M$36M$979M8.6x
JYP EntertainmentSouth KoreaSouth KoreaPublicly listed$598M$175M$931M1.1x
Tips MusicIndiaIndiaPublicly listed$39M$30M$872M19.3x

Kakao M Public Comps

Kakao M is still privately-owned, but its public comps include Pursuit, SM Entertainment, Huawen Media Group, PVR INOX, Anycolor, Webtoon, Hengdian Entertainment, Shanghai Film Group, Bona Film Group and TF1.

Last FYEV/RevenueEV/EBITDA
RevenueEBITDALast FYLTM2027ELast FYLTM2027E
Pursuit$452M$110M3.6x3.4x14.7x12.6x
SM Entertainment$855M$311M1.5x1.5x4.1x7.3x
Huawen Media Group$53M($11M)28.3x-(133.6x)-
PVR INOX$689M$225M2.8x2.7x8.7x8.3x
Anycolor$358M$133M3.2x3.1x8.7x8.5x
Webtoon$1.4B($373M)0.6x0.6x(2.4x)37.6x
Hengdian Entertainment$343M$78M4.5x5.5x20.0x19.5x
Shanghai Film Group$137M$42M10.8x13.1x35.6x51.1x

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Common questions about Kakao M

When was Kakao M founded?Kakao M was founded in 1978.
Where is Kakao M headquartered?Kakao M is headquartered in Gwangju, South Korea.
Is Kakao M publicly listed?No, Kakao M is a private, VC-backed company.
What is Kakao M's valuation?Kakao M was last valued at $1.3B in its undisclosed-stage round in March 2020.
How much funding has Kakao M raised?Kakao M has raised $172M across 1 funding round.
What was Kakao M's last funding round?Kakao M's last funding round was a $172M undisclosed-stage round in March 2020, led by Anchor Equity Partners.
Who are Kakao M's investors?Kakao M's investors include Anchor Equity Partners and CPP Investments.
Which companies are comparable to Kakao M?Companies comparable to Kakao M include SM Entertainment, Triller, S!NG, Saregama India, JYP Entertainment and Tips Music.

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