[StartupRecipe] Funding Continues to Flow in B2C Platform

Access to the latest Korean startup news and startup database for free

#Weekly Funding Overview

[Nov. 25~ Nov. 29]

Company	Inudustry	Amount	Round	Investors
NXN Labs	Gen AI Fashion	-	Grant	Deeptech TIPS
WEVE		-	Grant	Scaleup TIPS
LEEYUN BIO	Healthcare	-	Grant	TIPS
Rootfinders	Media platform	-	Grant	Pre TIPS
Crayon	Upcycling	-	Grant	TIPS
Heating Square	Manufacturing	-	Grant	TIPS
iChemist	Digital twin	-	Grant	TIPS
Cliair	Air clean solution	-	Grant	TIPS
IQ-ON	Intelligent Transportation System	-	Grant	TIPS
ELLICURE	Healthcare	-	Grant	TIPS
COSCIENCE	Bio	-	Grant	TIPS
Haebom	K-Beauty	-	Grant	TIPS
BIOCOM	Healthcare	-	Grant	Scaleup TIPS
MIRACLE HEALTHCARE	Healthcare	-	Grant	TIPS
LightWeight	Fitness	-	Grant	TIPS
Worlder	Pet healthcare	-	Grant	TIPS
L&DC	Proptech	-	Grant	TIPS
ANYEATS WORLD	Foodtech	-	Grant	TIPS
Codename BOM	Game	-	Grant	TIPS
Alon	EV Charging Solution	-	Seed Bridge	Sopoong Ventures, Lotte Ventures
MATCHWORK	Career tech	-	Seed	Blue Point Partners
NETROPY	Simulation AI	-	Pre-Seed	Spring camp
Galloping	Sports tech	1 billion	Pre-Series A	The Invention Lab, KOSMES, KODIT
Softberry	EV Charging Solution	-		SK Securities
ART Lab	Beauty tech	-	M&A	Cosmax
Digital Medic	Mental healthcare	-	Seed	Mental healthcare Yonsei University BioHealth Technology Holding
AUDIOGUY	Audio tech	-	Seed	Kingsley Ventures
Baropharm	Healthcare	19 billion	Pre IPO	Healthcare Mirae Asset Securities, CJ Korea Express
StoreLink	Ecommerce marketing	4 billion	Series C	KT Investment, IBK Capital, Medici Investment
BIOCOM	Healthcare	3 billion	Pre-Series A	Lotte Ventures, KOSMES, EAST GATE PARTNERS
Roum IT TAX	TAX	6 billion		IBK Industrial Bank of Korea, Webcash
Washswhat	Laundry service	7 billion	Series C Bridge	We Ventures, UTC Investment, Strong Ventures, Woori Financial Capital, Prologue Ventures
Girin Labs	web3	400 million		Crit Ventures USA
Allra Fintech	Fintech	-	Series B	KB Kookmin Card
Endo Health	Healthcare	-		General Catalyst
Cheonil EO		-		JNP Global
EN Particle	Bio	4.5 billion	Series A	KB Investment, Korea Investment Partners, Rising S Ventures
AI SPERA	Cybersecurity	12 billion		KB Investment, JB Investment, Kyobo Life Insurance, Smilegate Investment
Nervana	Game	-	Series A	Altos Ventures, Smilegate Investments, HRZ
Gymwork	Fitness	-	Seed	Mashup Ventures
Switch Won	Fintech	-	Series A	Dozn
ReFeed	ESG	-	Pre-Series A	The Ventures, TVSG, Antler Korea, Jones & Rocket, HIVEN, The Invention Lab, Seoul Business Agency
Amond	Fan community	2 billion		Smart Study Ventures
Telepix	Space	3 billion	Series B	Enlight Ventures
Balance Hero	Fintech	2 billion	Pre IPO	Samchully Investment

#Major Funding

• Baropharm, a comprehensive platform provider for pharmacy management, has secured a new investment of KRW 19 million, bringing its total accumulated investment to KRW 40 million. The company specializes in digital transformation services across all aspects of pharmacy operations, facilitating connections between pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies.
• AISphera, an AI-powered cybersecurity company, has secured KRW 12 million in its latest funding round, bringing its total investment to KRW 23 million. The company provides Criminal IP, an integrated security solution that leverages Attack Surface Management (ASM) and Threat Intelligence (TI) technologies.
• Allra Fintech, the operator of the early payment service Allra, has secured KRW 9 billion in funding. The company simplifies complex accounts receivable factoring services, helping small and medium-sized businesses shorten payment settlement periods and address liquidity challenges. The funding will be used to enhance and refine its services.

#Trend Analysis

Funding Continues to Flow in B2C Platform

While general sentiment suggests diminishing investor interest in B2C platform startups, key platform startups are continuing to attract substantial funding by demonstrating strategic adaptability and innovative growth approaches.

Spoonlabs, the company behind short-form platform Vgloo, has emerged as a standout performer, securing the top investment spot this year and challenging perceptions that platform startups are universally struggling. The investment success extends beyond a single company, with platform players like Ably Corporation and MyRealTrip securing positions within the top ten investment rankings, highlighting a nuanced narrative of survival and growth.

Profitability has become the critical differentiator for these platform startups. Companies like Ably Corporation and MyRealTrip have successfully transitioned to positive financial territories, while others such as Class 101 and Washswhat have implemented strategic restructuring to secure growth capital. This shift towards sustainable business models represents a mature approach to startup development.

Global expansion strategies have emerged as another key factor in attracting investor attention. Spoonlabs’ significant funding success stems from its aggressive approach to the rapidly growing short-form drama market. Similarly, Vely Monkeys has capitalized on international opportunities by targeting the Indian market with a K-beauty platform. Emerging platforms like MINEIS in recommerce and Tailor Town in male fashion have also captured investor interest through technological differentiation.

While the current landscape presents challenges for newer platforms, particularly given the established players’ dominance and reduced company valuations, the ecosystem continues to demonstrate remarkable dynamism. Emerging platforms in diverse sectors such as K-content, K-beauty, K-fashion, childcare, senior services, and pet care continue to proliferate, suggesting ongoing innovation potential.

The takeaway for platform startups is clear: sustainable revenue models, strategic global expansion, and technological uniqueness remain critical pathways to investor confidence. As the startup ecosystem evolves, those who can demonstrate these core competencies will likely continue to attract meaningful investment, regardless of broader market fluctuations.