[Korean Startup Weekly News #85] South Korea Launches $112B National Growth Fund to Boost High-Tech Industries

9/13/2025

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

Headline

South Korea Launches $112 Billion National Growth Fund to Boost High-Tech Industries
Korea launches $112B National Growth Fund targeting AI, semiconductors, biotech to drive economic growth over 5 years.

Korea Successfully Hosts APEC SME Ministerial Meeting, Launches Groundbreaking Startup Alliance
Korea successfully hosted the 31st APEC SME Ministerial Meeting in Jeju, launching the groundbreaking APEC Startup Alliance initiative.

Check out the latest funding news for Korean startups

Fastlane Secures $ 7.3M Series C Funding to Scale ‘YeoTi’ Aesthetic Treatment Platform
Fastlane raises USD 7.3M Series C to scale ‘Yeoshin Ticket’ aesthetic treatment platform, strengthen partnerships with other industries, advance AI-based skin diagnosis service, and prepare for IPO.

AM Management, an AI Quant Investment Firm, Attracts Investment from Woori Financial Group
AM Management, an AI quant investment firm, received undisclosed follow-up investment from Woori Financial Group’s DINNOlab Fund, strengthening its partnership to expand global digital asset solutions.

276 Holdings Secures USD 2.1 million in Series A Investment, Plans Platform Advancement
Fintech startup 276 Holdings secured USD 2.1 million (KRW 2.9 billion) in Series A funding from five investors, planning AI integration for SME financial solutions and global expansion.

Fruitful Raises USD 1.45M in Pre-Series A Funding to Expand Beauty Brand ‘Tiptoe’
Fruitful secured USD 1.45M Pre-Series A funding at post-money valuation of USD 8 million fueling Tiptoe’s cosmetics expansion, Olive Young entry, and Japanese retail launch.

NanoSystems Secures Pre-Series A Funding to Advance 3D LiDAR Solutions for Industrial Safety and Robotics
NanoSystems secured pre-Series A funding to expand flash-type 3D LiDAR applications in industrial safety and robotics, aiming for global growth and future extension into humanoids and physical AI.

Mentree Secures Investment from Jiran Japan to Support Global Expansion
Mentree secured strategic investment from Jiran Japan to bolster support for companies entering the Japanese market, leveraging a global mentor network and practical programs like ‘Mentree Booster.’

Podonos Secures Additional Pre-Seed Investment from Naver D2SF to Advance Voice AI Evaluation Solutions
Podonos, a Korean voice AI evaluation startup, secured additional pre-seed funding from D2SF to enhance automated AI model analysis and global partnerships on high-quality voice services.

VISUAL TERMINOLOGY, an AI Healthcare Avatar Developer, Attracts Seed Investment from Series Ventures
VISUAL TERMINOLOGY, an AI healthcare avatar developer, secured seed funding from Series Ventures to advance its platform and launch its DaOn app, aiming to revolutionize health management.

Pumpkin Raises Seed Funding to Advance Charging Tech Diversification and ECV Charging Services
Pumpkin secured seed funding to expand Korea’s ECV charging services, advance fast-charging and renewable projects, strengthen safety, and target IPO by 2028.

Youngwon, Traditional Nuruk Fermentation Company, Secures Seed Investment from Genaxis
Youngwon, a traditional nuruk fermentation company, secured seed investment from Genaxis to expand into functional feed additives, leveraging its fermentation technology for sustainable livestock solutions.

Gigaette Secures USD 650K Seed Funding to Advance Thermal Energy Storage Battery Commercialization
Gigaette raised USD 650K seed funding to commercialize thermal batteries, expand PoC projects in Korea, Mongolia, and Australia, and drive global industrial decarbonization efforts.

X-SENTRY Secures Seed Funding to Advance Sensor Solutions for Next-Generation SMR
X-SENTRY raised seed funding to commercialize extreme-condition SMR sensors, begin domestic and global validation, expand into glovebox sensor markets, and target international growth.

Dolbom-e-shin Secures $370K Bridge Investment from HGI to Advance Hospital Caregiving Platform
Dolbom-e-shin raised USD 370K bridge funding from HGI to enhance AI-driven caregiving, expand insurance networks, and accelerate growth in Korea’s hospital care market.

WVR Secures Investment from CNTTech to Advance AI-Powered Smart Water Infrastructure Platform
WVR secured investment from CNTTech to enhance its AI-powered water infrastructure platform, advancing predictive maintenance, automation, and global competitiveness in smart water lifecycle and asset management.