[Korean Startup Weekly News #83] FriendliAI Secures USD 20M Funding to Accelerate AI Inference Platform Growth

8/30/2025

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

Headline

FriendliAI Secures USD 20 Million Investment to Accelerate AI Inference Platform Growth
FriendliAI secured USD 20 million (KRW 27.5 billion) in investment led by Capstone Partners. The funds will fuel expansion of sales, marketing, and infrastructure while advancing their cost-effective AI inference platform.

South Korea Expands Global Startup Hub as Foreign Entrepreneurs Flock to Seoul
South Korea marks Global Startup Center’s first anniversary, unveiling new office space and visa reforms. Over 7,000 entrepreneurs from 100+ countries visited Seoul hub.

Check out the latest funding news for Korean startups

The Hyoosik Secures $14.8M Series B+ Funding to Enhance AI-driven Hospitality Platform
The Hyoosik raised USD148M Series B+ led by TS Investment, strengthening its AI-driven hospitality platform and preparing global expansion in midscale hotel markets.

SmartfoodNetworks Secures $10.8M Series C Funding to Accelerate Digital Transformation in Foodservice Industry
Smartfoodnet raised USD 10.8M Series C to expand logistics, launch franchise HQ solution, and grow B2B/B2C platforms, boosting foodservice industry digitalization and efficiency.

Korean ADC Biotech Trioar Raises $1.8M from CKD Venture Capital
Korean ADC biotech Trioar raised $1.8M from CKD Venture Capital, pushing Series B total past $18M. The funding emerged from Seoul Bio Hub connections.

Korean Digital Rental Platform Rentre Secures $3 Million in Series A Round
Korean rental platform Rentre raises $3M Series A led by Hana Ventures to digitize traditional appliance rental market with AI automation.

REGIME International Secures Investment from Crit Ventures to Expand Entertainment Management Business
Regime International secured funding from Crit Ventures to expand globally, strengthen management and production, nurture new artists, and launch a street fashion brand, building on DPR Crew’s global success.

Farm Product Trade Platform ‘The Onion’ Receives Follow-up Pre-A Investment from New Paradigm
The Onion secured follow-up Pre-A investment from New Paradigm Investment for its farm product direct deal service. The company aims to digitalize the USD 46.6 billion (KRW 64 trillion) food ingredient market.

Cheotjang Company Raises Seed Funding to Enhance Digital Funeral Platform and Expand Nationwide Service
Cheotjang Company secured seed funding from New Paradigm Investment to expand its digital funeral platform, addressing transparency, affordability, and accessibility issues while targeting global expansion, particularly in Asia.

FlONICS Secures Seed Funding to Advance 4D Flow MRI-Based Cardiovascular Imaging Software
Korean medtech startup raised seed funding to develop its 4D Flow MRI software, enabling precise, non-invasive cardiovascular diagnostics and treatment planning with global commercialization plans.

MUTRON, a Nuclear Power Plant MRO Robot, Attracts Additional Seed Investment from Series Ventures
MUTRON secured seed investment from Series Ventures for its nuclear plant MRO robots. This funding will advance prototypes and establish a demonstration infrastructure for enhanced safety and efficiency.

Rarelee Secures Pre-Seed Investment from 500 Global to Drive Personalized Style Consulting Worldwide
Rarelee, a Korean beauty-tech startup, secured pre-seed funding from 500 Global to advance data-driven personalized style consulting and expand globally, starting with a U.S. market entry.

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.