Korea has unveiled an ambitious strategy aimed at establishing itself as one of the world’s top four venture powerhouses by 2030. The initiative targets the creation of 50 unicorns and 10,000 AI and deep tech startups, alongside a goal of $27 billion in annual venture investments. This comprehensive plan encompasses reforms in technology, capital, talent, and regional ecosystems, signaling a robust push to elevate Korea’s startup landscape.
In the latest funding news, the biotech firm Orum Therapeutics has successfully secured $100 million to enhance its degrader-antibody conjugate platform aimed at treating acute myeloid leukemia. With clinical trials anticipated to commence by late 2026, the funding is critical for advancing their candidate drug, ORM-1153.
Meanwhile, cloud Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) specialist Logpresso has raised $11 million in Series B funding led by KB Investment. This capital will enable Logpresso to pivot towards an AI-powered security platform and expand into the global market, beginning with Japan’s rapidly growing SIEM sector, which is currently valued at $237 million and expanding at an annual rate of 22%.
In the agricultural technology sector, GINT has obtained $9.8 million in pre-IPO funding from strategic investors, including PT. Indo Agritech Investment and LIG Nex1. The company specializes in developing autonomous driving solutions for agriculture and is planning to broaden its reach into Indonesia and Japan.
On the AI front, vision AI platform Superb AI has raised $9.5 million in pre-IPO funding, bringing its total funding to $42.8 million. Supported by Hanwha Asset Management and POSCO Technology Investment, the company, which serves over 100 clients including major brands like Samsung and Toyota, is targeting an IPO in 2026.
AI healthcare startup Arcreal has raised $5.4 million in Pre-Series A funding from DSC Investment and SDB Investment. The company is developing an intraoral scanner known as “arcscan,” which has already received FDA approval. Arcreal is focused on building a dental AI platform utilizing a 3D vision foundation model and plans to enter the U.S. market in 2025.
Foodtech startup PURESPACE has successfully raised $4.1 million in Series A funding from Altos Ventures. The company has developed technology that significantly reduces ethylene gas, which in turn cuts food waste by 50% and doubles the shelf life of fresh products. This innovation has already been validated by major retailers such as Carrefour.
Another innovative platform, alt-a, has secured Series A funding aimed at scaling its edge AI CCTV solution that provides real-time traffic insights. This system is designed for smart city applications and aims to establish a scalable global infrastructure.
In health tech, PhyxUp Health has obtained seed funding from the Korea Investment Accelerator to expand its AI-powered remote therapeutic monitoring platform across the U.S. rehabilitation market. Its solutions are already utilized by institutions affiliated with Harvard Medical School.
Several startups are also striving for global expansion, illustrated through recent interviews. For instance, Joomalstory, a platform aimed at helping office workers find weekend activities, is seeking $137,000 in seed funding to expand its user base, which currently stands at 130,000 with a 40% newsletter open rate.
EHAN Creative is making strides in educational innovation through its generative AI platform “Duwing,” which has proven to reduce teacher preparation time significantly. The company is looking for seed bridge funding after generating $357,000 in sales in 2024.
MyIB is pioneering Korea’s first matching gift SaaS platform, “Give&Match,” which facilitates corporate donations. The startup is targeting a $679 million market and is currently seeking Pre-Series A funding.
Hypercent is gaining traction with its horror co-op game “Backroom Company,” which has garnered 35 million views and a reach of 70 million subscribers. The startup is looking for Pre-Series A funding as it aims for over 1 million sales.
Lastly, HamadaLabs is democratizing AI development through its no-code platform “WindyFlo,” which is already used by 20,000 users across 20 countries. Having secured enterprise contracts, the startup is also seeking seed funding for global expansion.
As these developments unfold, Korea’s startup ecosystem is on a trajectory that may reshape its global standing in technology and innovation, particularly in AI and deep tech sectors. The ambitious goals set by the government, combined with robust funding rounds across various industries, indicate a promising future for both established and emerging players in the market.
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