- Altos Ventures is hiring Korea/U.S.-based screening staff with 4–7 years experience, targeting Q1 2026, prioritizing Series A/B startup expertise, strong founder networks, and English fluency (Chinese/Japanese preferred).
- A referral bonus pays ₩20 million (pre-tax) if the recommended candidate is hired and completes a three-month probation.
- The firm emphasizes high-autonomy, small elite teams with long-term performance-linked upside.
- Altos retains strong brand and deal presence, including being repeatedly favored by Korean founders and recently leading a ₩40 billion investment in Rapport Labs tied to the SK Stoa acquisition.
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The hiring announcement by Altos Ventures indicates a strategic enlarging of their internal team in Korea, aiming to deepen their local presence while maintaining global operational dynamics. With recruitment focused on personnel having 4–7 years of experience, likely at Series A/B stage startups or closely tied VC/tech roles, Altos is seeking operators who can contribute both domain expertise and strong networks with founders and industry leaders. Their requirement for fluency in English, and preference for Chinese/Japanese speakers, suggests growing cross-border deal activity, or intent to manage regional portfolios and international co-investments.
The recommendation incentive—₩20 million for successful hires post‐probation—is frontline evidence of leveraging networks to source key hires, reflecting both hiring urgency and the challenges of attracting top-tier investment professionals in competitive markets. The early application deadline (Q1 2026, with possibility of early closure) increases pressure on candidates and underscores the priority Altos places on filling these roles swiftly.
Altos’ brand equity in Korea appears robust: nine consecutive years recognized as preferred by founders indicates high local trust, deeply embedded ecosystem relationships, and likely deal flow advantages. Globally, its No. 24 ranking among U.S.-based VCs in Time/Statista’s 2025 list emphasizes its growing stature in the global VC hierarchy. This may support its ability to attract international LPs, co-investors, and high-quality founders.
On the investment side, their ₩40 billion commitment to Rapport Labs—led alone—illustrates willingness to lead sizable rounds and engage in strategic exits or acquisitions. This approach indicates risk tolerance and long-term vision: integrating complementary channels (e.g., home shopping via SK Stoa) to existing digital platforms like Queenit.
Strategic implications include Altos positioning itself as a bridge between U.S./global capital and Korean startup ecosystems, building human capital that understands both sides. For candidates, this opens opportunities but also sets high bars: must have track record, network, language skills, and startup/Series A-B experience. For startups and deal flow, more competition in sourcing investment support and services, and possibly more sophisticated portfolio support from Altos.
Open questions include: how Altos defines “high understanding of the startup or tech industry as a whole”—will this prioritize domain specialties? Will this hiring push into specific sectors? How big is the budget around compensation and carry structures beyond base pay? And how will this team integrate with Altos’ U.S./global operations?
Supporting Notes
- Altos Ventures is recruiting screening staff with four to seven years of experience; aims to recruit within Q1 2026. [Primary]
- Qualifications include deep understanding of Series A/B startups, rapid growth experience, strong communication, and network with founders or industry key people; fluency in English required, Chinese or Japanese preferred. [Primary]
- Recommendation incentive: If a recommended hire settles after a three-month probation, recommender receives ₩20 million before tax. [Primary]
- Altos provides high autonomy and responsibility, operates with minority elite teams, with upside reward structures linked to long-term performance. [Primary]
- In Korea, Altos has been selected as “VC favored by startups” by Startup Alliance for eight consecutive years from 2018. [Primary]
- Globally, ranked No. 24 in Time/Statista’s “America’s Top Venture Capital Firms 2025.” [Search]
- Recent investment: Altos Ventures committed ₩40 billion to Rapport Labs to facilitate acquisition of SK Stoa, expected acquisition price around ₩110 billion. [Search]
- Another deal: Altos invested ₩4 billion in PI Corporation’s Series A, a creator-focused new media startup. [Search]