[StartupRecipe] Pre-Series A Trends Reveal Korea’s Future Growth Sectors

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

#Weekly Funding Overview

#FUNDING

#TREND ANALYSIS

Pre-Series A Trends Reveal Korea’s Future Growth Sectors

Pre-Series A funding is a crucial stage for startups, providing an opportunity to secure capital and capture future markets before growth potential is fully validated. In Korea, this stage has seen steady momentum, supported in part by government initiatives to advance AI development. Recent investment trends shed light on which sectors may drive growth in the coming years.

According to Startup Recipe data through the second week of September, Pre-Series A investments have maintained a pace of 10 to 15 deals per month. A total of 105 deals were recorded, amounting to KRW 13.7 billion. The largest single investment was KRW 13 billion raised by Liberty Labs. While a handful of deep tech and manufacturing startups secured multi-billion won deals, most companies received between KRW 1 billion and KRW 3 billion.

Although Pre-Series A funding was not heavily concentrated in one industry, several sectors drew significant attention. Manufacturing attracted the most capital, particularly in areas such as secondary batteries, battery materials, analog AI semiconductors, and industrial robots. The emergence of startups raising tens of billions of won at this stage signals sustained investor confidence in technologies enabling smart manufacturing.

Consumer tech was the second most active sector. Investments spanned resale platforms for beauty and fashion, pet tech solutions, and wellness services targeting senior consumers. Companies that quickly adapted to changing lifestyles, including alternative coffee and functional beverage brands, also secured substantial backing.

In the software sector, AI-driven solution providers for video production, marketing, and semiconductor design became notable targets. However, one large deal accounted for 45% of total sector investment, suggesting that while AI remains a key focus, funding tends to be concentrated in solutions with early signs of market validation. Fintech activity was limited, with a single company securing the year’s largest deal in the category, underscoring both the potential and the caution investors maintain toward early-stage ventures in this field.

Healthcare also stood out, particularly digital health and AI-based diagnostic solutions. Funded startups ranged from patient data management and remote care services to early ovarian cancer diagnostics and affordable medical device development. In addition, bio-innovation companies developing mRNA vaccines, natural product pharmaceuticals, and alternative proteins attracted investor interest.

#MORE NEWS

• Seoul Unicorn Challenge Held at Try Everything 2025, Highlighting 7 Top Tech Startups