[Korean Startup Weekly News #78] Story’s Poseidon Secures $15M Seed Funding to Revolutionize AI Training Ecosystem

7/27/2025

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

Headline

Story’s Poseidon Secures $15M Seed Funding from a16z Crypto to Revolutionize AI Training Ecosystem
Story’s Poseidon, a decentralized data layer for AI training, raised $15M in seed funding led by a16z Crypto to provide IP-cleared, high-quality datasets for accelerating innovation in the AI training ecosystem

South Korea Launches Enhanced Public-Private Open Innovation Program with Follow-Up Support
South Korea’s MSS launches an enhanced Public-Private Open Innovation program in H2 2025, introducing a “follow-up support track.” This program offers up to ₩60M in funding and R&D support for sustained collaboration.

Check out the latest funding news for Korean startups

Mass Adoption Secures Series A Funding to Expand Brand Intelligence Platform ‘VIRCLE’
Mass Adoption raises Series A funding to enhance VIRCLE, its AI-powered brand growth platform focused on identity, fandom, and experience for trend-driven industries.

StudioBside Raises Strategic Funding to Fuel Global Launch of Subculture Game ‘Star Savior’
StudioBside raised over approximately USD 18M to support the global release of subculture game ‘Star Savior’, beginning with a July 23 closed beta in Korea.

BPLANT Secures $5 Million Series A to Enhance Commerce Platform For Proprietary Brand Building
BPLANT raised $5M Series A from Altos Ventures to grow its data-driven wellness and skincare brands, aiming for sustainable, global expansion beyond influencer commerce roots.

LaSemilla Secures $550K Series A Bridge Funding to Advance Climate-Resilient Seed Technology
LaSemilla raised $550K to advance patented GM seed technology that boosts drought resilience and productivity, supporting global commercialization amid escalating climate and food security challenges.

MadeleineMemory Secures $2.6M in Pre-Series A2 Round to Expand Branded Resale Solutions
MadeleineMemory secured $2.6M in Pre-Series A2 to scale its branded resale SaaS ‘Relay’, expanding partnerships with major Korean retailers like Hyundai and Lotte.

Datium Raises Pre-Series A Funding to Revolutionize Auto Repair with AI
Datium secures pre-Series A funding to enhance its AI-powered AutoHOS platform, aiming to modernize auto repair workflows and expand its repair shop customer base.

Tax Reporting and Refund Platform ‘Plus Company’ Secures Seed Investment from Grand Ventures
Plus Company, a tax reporting and refund platform, secured seed investment from Grand Ventures. It offers automated, personalized tax services, achieving USD 5.09 million in refunds.

WaveShineTech Secures Seed Funding to Revolutionize Wireless Connectivity with RIS
WaveShineTech raised seed funding to develop ultra-low-power intelligent surfaces, enhancing global wireless infrastructure for the AI era without traditional relay systems.

AI Presentation Generation Service ‘Snapdeck’ Secures Seed Investment from Korea Investment Accelerator
Askitmore, developer of AI presentation tool Snapdeck, secured seed investment from Korea Investment Accelerator. Snapdeck offers unique AI-powered presentation generation with consistent themes and flexible editing.

Meet startups that are striving for global expansion through exclusive interviews

[Korean Startup Interview] BS ONE Dominates Korean Ceramic Saggars Market for Battery Cathode Production
BS ONE crafts high-performance saggars for EV batteries, targeting USD 357M market by 2026. Supplies Posco Future M, plans LFP and recycling expansion.

[Korean Startup Interview] ASTAR, Marketing AI ‘AVICA’ Certified by Major Corporations… Expanding to SMEs and Global Markets
ASTAR raises USD 0.29M seed funding for AVICA, slashing marketing time by 99.5%. Targets USD 35.71B market, aiming for SaaS launch and global expansion in AI-driven CRM solutions.

Meissa to Supply Satellite Imagery-Based Smart Construction Solution to Takenaka
Meissa signed a contract with Takenaka Corporation, a top Japanese contractor, to supply its satellite imagery-based smart construction solution for remote site management without drones.