Lee Seung-gun
Lee Seung-gun | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 30, 1982 Seoul, South Korea |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, dental professional |
| Known for | Founder and CEO of Viva Republica |
Lee Seung-gun (; born January 30, 1982) is a South Korean entrepreneur and dental professional. He established and currently leads the financial technology firm Viva Republica, placing him among the wealthiest individuals in South Korea. In April 2024, Forbes valued his fortune at approximately US$1.05 billion, ranking him as the 38th wealthiest person nationally.
Biography
A native of Seoul, Lee completed his dental degree at Seoul National University in 2007. Upon fulfilling his mandatory military duty as a public health physician at age 27, he transitioned from practicing dentistry to pursuing business ventures. While initially balancing part-time dental work with the development of multiple unsuccessful applications, he ultimately introduced Toss in 2015, a fintech platform designed to streamline money transfers.
Lee founded Viva Republica in 2013. By June 2021, the company had raised over US$400 million in investment, achieving a valuation of US$7.4 billion and elevating Lee to billionaire status through his equity share. Despite facing initial resistance from his family regarding his career shift, Lee successfully grew Viva Republica into a prominent fintech organization. As of 2024, he has not married.