Capital
Investor and founder · Seoul
I build and back technology companies across Asia and Europe.
I’m Jordan Monnet, a physicist turned founder and investor. I have built AI companies and co-created a venture fund, and much of what I do is help technical teams cross markets.
Based inSeoul, working across Asia & Europe
Investor / operatorPhD, Biophysics
01 · Current work
Three kinds of work.
Most weeks hold all three: the fund, the founders I advise, and a few hours at the bench.
Advisory
Venture advisory
I work with South Korean and Japanese startups going abroad: positioning, first customers, fundraising, and the week-to-week choices after that.
Craft
Studio Monjo
A French writing house in Seoul making hand-bound notebooks and running small workshops. I do it all myself, from ordering paper to stitching to answering customers.
Visit the studio02 · Selected outcomes
What came of it.
$35M
Fund co-createdStrategy, operating model, investment process and team, raised from international LPs.
2 + 3
Unicorns and acquisitionsIn the Ignite portfolio, across AI infrastructure, semiconductors, digital health and robotics.
2 exits
Karakul, 2019 · nr2, 2025Co-founded both and led them through a sale and a merger, with teams split between Europe and Asia.
6 yrs
Building nr2Led the AI company from first idea to international operation, then integrated its technology and workflows into Ignite in 2025.
Clients and partners along the way · Google · Microsoft · L’Oréal · Pernod Ricard · World Economic Forum · KEPCO
03 · Journey
From physics to venture capital.
My path has crossed research, consulting, private equity, entrepreneurship and venture capital in France, Germany, China, the UK and South Korea.
2026–now
Venture Advisor & Mentor
HEC Paris Incubator · Selected work with PEN Ventures KoreaHelping founders enter new markets: positioning, first customers, investor conversations and the numbers to watch.
2021–now
Founding Partner
Ignite Innovation Fund · SeoulCo-created the fund and built its portfolio of early-stage technology companies, mostly in South Korea.
2019–2025
Co-founder & CEO
nr2 · London / SeoulWe built AI for research and decision workflows, between London and Seoul. I led product and technology and, as the CEO, most of everything else.
2018–2019
Co-founder & CPO
Karakul · Beijing / Paris / LondonLed product and technology until the company was sold in February 2019.
2015–2018
Consulting & Private Equity
Cylad / Euro Sino InvestStrategy and operations projects for technology companies at Cylad, then market entry and partnerships for European deep-tech companies going into China.
2011–2014
Researcher in Biophysics
Institut Jacques Monod, CNRS · ParisStudied DNA repair and led international research projects. Five peer-reviewed papers, nine conferences, 360 hours of teaching.
04 · Writing
Occasional essays.
What should we work on?
An agent 3D-printed the alignment tools for my paper cutter, and a stronger model tuned the models on my desk. What is left for us, for entrepreneurs, for investors?
Studio Monjo · Seoul
Notebooks, by hand.
I started Studio Monjo after years of building AI products, wanting to make something with my hands. Each notebook is cut, folded and stitched on the bench in these photos. It’s also the smallest business I run, which is the point: I can see every decision land, from a price change to a new paper.
Visit Studio MonjoGet in touch
Working on something between Asia and Europe?
I advise a small number of founders and investors at a time, mostly on entering a new market. The quickest way to reach me is a message on LinkedIn.
Connect on LinkedIn