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• Period : 16 MAR., 2025 ~ 23 MAR., 2025

Catch up on last week’s top stories from the startup ecosystem in the Korean Startup Weekly News.

Headline

ACTIVON Gains USD 7.5M Investment to Advance Natural Cosmetic Ingredients and IPO
ACTIVON raised USD 7.5M in Series B funding to expand its green bio technology, replace petrochemical ingredients with natural alternatives, and prepare for its planned KOSDAQ IPO in 2026.

Korean Government News

Korea’s Deep Tech Scene Bolstered by Strategic Partnerships and Government Support
MSS’s Deep Tech program aligns startups with major companies to accelerate innovation, securing significant investments and technology validations.

Latest Funding News

Check out the latest funding news for Korean startups

Vroong Secures 21 million USD Investment to Expand Delivery Infrastructure
Vroong secured a 21 million USD investment from Shinhan Securities. to enhance financial stability, expand infrastructure, and strengthen competitiveness in the delivery market.

Artist United Secures $13.5M Investment and Forms Partnership with MBN
Artist United partners with MBN, securing an USD 13.5M investment to expand global K-content. The deal strengthens production, distribution, and AI-driven content strategies for increased competitiveness.

DN Solutions Invests $3.7M in Neuromeka to Enhance Collaborative Robotics & Automation
Neuromeka secured a $3.7M (KRW 5B) investment from DN Solutions to enhance collaborative robotics and automation solutions, aiming to improve manufacturing efficiency and smart factory integration.

Korean AI Mobility Startup MOVV Secures Strategic Investment from KB Securities and Hwafu Group
MOVV, a Korean AI mobility firm, raises USD 3.57 million from KB Securities and Hwafu Group, aiming to expand globally with AI-driven solutions, hitting USD 7.14 million total funding.

Cloudike Raises $2.7M to Enhance Cloud Storage and Develop AI SaaS
Cloudike raised $2.7M (KRW 3.7B) from Naver Cloud, NVC, and Korea SMEs and Startups Agency to expand its business and develop AI SaaS solutions for the media industry.

Lynk Solutec Secures Pre-Series A for Innovative Medical Coating Tech
Lynk Solutec secured a pre-Series A from POSTECH Holdings for its Lynk Coating technology, preventing infections and thrombosis in medical devices, with applications in various fields.

Korean Defense AI Startup Quantumaero Secures USD 2.64M in Seed Funding
Quantumaero raises USD 2.64M in seed funding to enhance defense AI, partners with Shield AI, and aims for a USD 107M Series A, boosting South Korea’s military tech globally.

TheVentures Leads $1M Investment in Filum AI to Drive CX Innovation in SEA
TheVentures led a $1M investment in Filum AI, an AI-powered CXM platform, to expand in Southeast Asia. Filum AI enhances CX metrics and partners with major global enterprises.

BRYTN Secures Investment for Advanced Laser Optical Engines
BRYTN secured investment to advance its laser optical engines for AR HUDs, medical, and metaverse applications, expanding global market reach.

‘A.PLA’ Secures Investment to Advance AI-Powered 3D Motion Solutions
A.PLA, a Korean startup, secured investment to enhance AI-driven 3D motion data solutions for robotics and content industries, improving accessibility, efficiency, and real-time performance on various devices.

OCTOEV Partners with CNTTech to Expand Smart, Automated EV Charging Infrastructure
OCTOEV raised funding from CNTTech to expand SkyCharger, a rail-based automated EV charging system that addresses parking and charging issues using shared space and smart scheduling.

GC Biopharma Affiliate Curevo Raises USD 110M to Advance Amezosvatein Clinical Trials
GC Biopharma’s U.S. affiliate, Curevo Vaccine, secured $110M in Series B funding, led by Medicxi, to advance its shingles vaccine, Amezosvatein, expand Phase 2 trials, and prepare for Phase 3.

Korean Startup Interview

Meet startups that are striving for global expansion through exclusive interviews

[Korean Startup Interview] CarLab: Revolutionizing the Online New Car Buying Experience
CarLab, an online new car trading platform, simplifies car purchases by offering transparent pricing, certified dealers, financing options, and personalized consultations, revolutionizing the auto industry.

Korean Venture Capital News

The Invention Lab Invests $750K in 5 Bio & Healthcare Startups
The Invention Lab invested $750K in five bio and healthcare startups. It aims to support innovation and global expansion through strategic funding and partnerships.

Others

Naver Cloud and NVIDIA Strengthen Partnership to Build Sovereign AI Ecosystem
Naver Cloud and NVIDIA are collaborating to build a sovereign AI ecosystem in Southeast Asia, focusing on LLMs, infrastructure, and applications, aiming for results by year-end.

FT Names 91 South Korean Startups in High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2025
The Financial Times (FT) and Statista named 91 South Korean startups in their ‘High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2025’ list, with Library Company and Habitfactory ranking 4th and 5th, respectively.

Lunit Expands AI Mammography Screening in UAE with SEHA Deal
Lunit signed a supply agreement with SEHA to provide AI mammography analysis in UAE, expanding its global cancer screening market and supporting Abu Dhabi’s national breast cancer program.

Nanodropper Wins 2nd Place at K-Startup Grand Challenge, Introducing Groundbreaking Eye Care Innovation
Nanodropper, a US healthcare startup, won 2nd place in the 2024 K-Startup Grand Challenge for its adaptor that optimizes eyedrop use, reducing waste and costs.