OC500 2025: DANIEL KIM

DANIEL KIM 

CO-FOUNDER/CEO 

DRAGON KIM FOUNDATION 

WHY: Created a nonprofit to honor the legacy of his late son, Dragon Kim. Organization empowers youth to pursue music, leadership and social entrepreneurship. Provides free music lessons to underserved youth and funds student-led entrepreneurial projects. Fellowship program has supported 330 projects involving 640 students, with nearly half matriculating to Ivy League schools. This past summer, the foundation funded over 60 projects for a total investment of more than $500K. Money for the program is raised through donations, fundraisers and key sponsors such as U.S. Bank and Sun Family Foundation. 

IN THE NEWS: Received a Business Journal Family-Owned Business Award in June, with the Irvine-based nonprofit winning in the small business category. 

NOTABLE: Former investment banker and private equity executive who shifted careers after Dragon’s passing. 

QUOTABLE: “Let’s do for other kids what we did for Dragon. That’s how the fellowship program was born.”