PURESPACE, a Korean startup specializing in fresh food shelf-life extension technology, has raised $4.1 million (6 billion KRW) in Series A funding from Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm Altos Ventures.

Founded in 2018, PURESPACE is a foodtech startup developing a proprietary catalyst system that significantly reduces ethylene gas, which accelerates ripening and decay in fruits and vegetables. While existing ethylene removal equipment and filters have shown limited effectiveness, PURESPACE’s technology reduces ethylene to low concentrations, dramatically maintaining the freshness of fruits and vegetables in distribution. The company has confirmed performance that reduces ethylene by over 90% in real-environment simulation tests.

PURESPACE has proven its technology through pilot tests with global retailers. Validation tests conducted with major U.S. retailers, French retail giant Carrefour, and Korea’s Lotte Mart confirmed a reduction in food waste by over 50% and doubled the shelf life of certain products.

The European Union legislated food waste reduction targets in September 2025, mandating a 30% reduction per capita in retail and food service sectors and a 10% reduction in food processing and manufacturing sectors by 2030. As fresh food waste management emerges as a core indicator of global ESG management, and with ESG disclosure obligations under discussion in Korea, the need for retail industry response is growing, positioning PURESPACE’s waste reduction solution for increased attention.

Sangil Ahn, partner at Altos Ventures who led the investment, stated: “PURESPACE possesses a global solution that can dramatically extend the storage period of fresh foods, simultaneously providing companies with immediate financial benefits and environmental value through food waste reduction. We decided to invest as the global need for food waste reduction is increasing and corporate demand is growing.”

Sunyoung Lee, CEO of PURESPACE, emphasized: “Approximately 40% of fruits and vegetables produced worldwide are discarded during distribution. Waste occurring in the fresh food supply chain is not only a cost burden for agricultural producers, distributors, and retailers, but also an urgent issue from climate and resource perspectives. Through this investment, we will accelerate global market expansion and substantially contribute to reducing food waste and improving retailer profitability.”

PURESPACE plans to use the funding for global market expansion, sales force reinforcement, and next-generation product development. The company currently supplies two products: one for store refrigeration units and small warehouses (PF105) and another for large distribution centers (PF106). Starting in 2026, the company is preparing to launch models for containers and transport vehicles.