[Korean Startup Weekly News #72] Naver Expands to Silicon Valley with Launch of ‘Naver Ventures’

6/15/2025

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

Headline

Naver Expands to Silicon Valley with Launch of ‘Naver Ventures,’ Makes First Investment in Twelve Labs
Naver launches ‘Naver Ventures’ in Silicon Valley, marking its global expansion into the startup ecosystem with first investment in AI company Twelve Labs.

Check out the latest funding news for Korean startups

Z Enterprise Raises $12 Million in Series C to Expand Tax-Tech Platform “BizNep”
Z Enterprise secures $12M Series C funding to scale its tax automation platform BizNep, validating its tech leadership and expanding strategic partnerships and AI services.

Flex Secures $7.2M Series B-1 Bridge Funding to Advance AI-driven HR SaaS Platform
Korea’s all-in-one HR platform Flex raised $7.2M Series B-1 at a $360M valuation, planning aggressive AI-driven expansion and targeting unicorn status with upcoming Series C.

BigValue Secures USD 3.57M Series B to Advance AI-Driven Data Tech Platform
BigValue raises USD 3.57M Series B to enhance AI-driven data platform, targeting SMEs. With USD 8.57M total funding, it aims to lead data tech in the AI era, recording USD 3.57M revenue.

Upvalue raised Series A funding to Scale Its Unique Financial Education Platform
Upvalue, a data-driven financial education startup, raised Series A funding from TS Investment, leveraging content-based fandom and profitability to scale its unique fintech learning platform.

LYNK SOLUTEC Secures $1.1M Pre-Series A to Advance Surface Coating Tech for medical devices
LYNK SOLUTEC raised $1.1M from POSTECH Holdings and KIBO to scale its nano-coating tech, preventing complications in implantable medical devices.

Home&Co Raises USD 0.5M Seed Funding to Transform Home Repair Services
Home&Co raises USD 0.5M seed funding for Home:co platform, streamlining repairs with standard pricing. Targets expansion in maintenance, aiming for trusted, innovative services.

NEWROOK Secures Seed Investment to Launch Makgeolli-Based Hard Seltzer ‘SWRL’ in the U.S
Korean startup NEWROOK secured seed funding from CNT Tech to launch SWRL, a makgeolli-based hard seltzer, targeting U.S. wellness-focused Millennials and Gen Z consumers.

CIS Chemical Secures Investment from GENAXIS to Boost High-Purity Alumina and Battery Material Production
CIS Chemical secures GENAXIS investment to expand high-purity alumina and battery material production, leveraging SSX recycling tech for global growth in semiconductors and batteries.

Meet startups that are striving for global expansion through exclusive interviews

[Korean Startup Interview] SimfliBIO Challenges NGS with Advanced Liquid Biopsy for Global Cancer Diagnostics Market
SimfliBIO secures funding to advance liquid biopsy, detecting 0.001% ctDNA for cancer diagnostics. Targets USD 1.43B NSCLC market with trials against Guardant360 in 2025.

[Korean Startup Interview] BYAHT’s Glow.B Revolutionizes Creator Economy with AI-Powered SaaS Platform
BYAHT’s Glow.B automates creator-ad collaborations, targets USD 246B market. With 27,000 users and USD 0.24M revenue, it aims for fintech integration and global expansion.