Korean cosmetic green bio company ACTIVON has secured approximately USD 7.5 million (KRW 10 billion) in Series B funding. With this investment, ACTIVON plans to begin preparations for an IPO in 2026. Participants in this funding round included IBK, Korea Investment Partners, IBK Capital, and Kiwoom Capital, valuing the company at approximately USD 40 million (KRW 53 billion) post-investment.  

Founded in 2009 by CEO Yoon-Ki Cho, a former researcher at Amorepacific, ACTIVON specializes in developing and manufacturing natural cosmetic ingredients, replacing petrochemical-based materials with natural alternatives. The company focuses on preservative substitutes, multifunctional materials, active ingredients, and skin disease treatments.  

ACTIVON has developed bio-processing technology that applies microorganisms and metal catalysts to natural raw materials such as sugarcane and palm fruit, enabling the replacement of petroleum-derived ingredients with naturally derived alternatives. The company is also collaborating with multinational corporations, including L’Oréal, through its “EXO-MF” technology, which extracts exosomes from plants.  

An ACTIVON representative stated, “This investment was secured based on the recognition of our green and bio technology’s strong growth potential in the eco-friendly, high-performance materials market.”  

Previously, in 2020, ACTIVON selected Kiwoom Securities as its IPO underwriter. With this latest investment, the company aims to complete its listing on KOSDAQ by next year.