EO Lessons from Investing in 700+ Startups | Goodwater Capital, Eric Kim | EO
Jun 8, 2025
Eric Kim, co-founder and managing partner of Goodwater Capital, shares his journey of investing in over 700 startups worldwide. He discusses the importance of prioritizing mission over profit and overcoming biases in the venture capital landscape. Eric highlights key insights from billion-dollar investments in companies like Coupang and Kakao, emphasizing customer satisfaction and demographic engagement. He also delves into the concept of mission-driven investing, merging data with entrepreneurial passion for greater success.
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Father's Lesson on Racial Bias
- Eric Kim shares a profound lesson from his father about facing racial bias as a Korean American.
- His father's advice instilled a drive to be exceptionally better to overcome societal discounts.
Early Insight on Coupang's Success
- Eric Kim recounts investing early in Coupang by recognizing exceptional customer service creating loyalty.
- They surveyed users and found women favored Coupang for this unique focus, differentiating it from many competitors.
Pitching Kakao in Korean
- Eric Kim discovered Kakao's potential when his friend bought an expensive smartphone just to save on texting fees via Kakao.
- He pitched the company in Korean despite stuttering, impressing the team and winning their trust.