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[StartupRecipe] 3 Key Sectors Attract Investors Despite Consumer Tech Slowdown

#Weekly Funding Overview

[Sep. 2~ Sep 6]

The total funds raised by Korean startups of the week is KRW 61.45 Billion.

CompanyInudustryAmountRoundInvestors
BeauBrain HealthcareHealthcare4 billionSeries AL&S Venture Capital, Aju IB Investment
FasstoFulfillment19 billionSeries DSK D&D, Shinhan Venture Investment, Hana Ventures, Yuanta Investment, Tigris Investment
VinssenEco-friendly marine mobility20 billionSeries CShinhan Venture Investment, Seoul Investment Partners, Ubiquitous Investment, IBK Industrial Bank, Kodit, Schmidt-DSC Investment, Kyobo Securities, GS Ventures, Korea Alternative Investment corp.
SusimdalAI Math-GrantTIPS
CaredocSenior care-Invesco
AIPLEBlood sugar management-GrantTIPS
KromaBlockchain-Series AAsia Advisors Korea, Gate Ventures, ICC Venture, Planetarium, Presto, RFD Capital, Taisu Ventures, The Spartan Group, Waterdrip Capital
DosigotganFood2 billionSeries ACJ Investment, Bilanx Investment
READYCUREHealthcare-GrantTIPS
RecsinnovationEnergy-GrantTIPS
HayanMindEdutech-GrantPost Tips
Polyphenl factoryHaircare2 billionSeries AHyosung Chemical
InfiniqAI15 billionPre IPO
DeepvisionsAI400 millionPre-Series ANext Dream Angel Club, MYSC
ClaythisGen AI-NaverD2SF
YesplzFashion AI-NaverD2SF
PoscoreMagnetic powder-GrantDeeptech TIPS
BarcFootware-GrantTIPS
EverindusLithium ion Battery-GrantDeeptech TIPS
NilsMarine bio-GrantTIPS
NuventSales management-GrantPost Tips
NanosystemzLidar solution-SeedBlue Point Partners
MithrilSafety solution-GrantTIPS
BionsightBio-GrantScaleup TIPS
AVIIndustrial-GrantScaleup TIPS
SG GURUFrequency Synthesizer2.7 billionSeries ABehigh Investment, Kiwoom Investment Asset Management, Aju IB Investment
twellPet tech-SeedJNU Holdings
in10slabCareer-GrantTIPS
EatmaplFoodtech-ottogi
RemoAI Healthcare-SeedCNTtech
BelinkerManufacturing-GrantTIPS
Liberty labsownership succession-Primer sazze Partners, Fast Ventures
SpexSpace-JeJu CCEI, MYSC
DailypayPayment-GrantTIPS
Paradigm Shiftmom's app-GrantTIPS
WellstekDigital transformation-GrantTIPS
nbnbProptech-GrantTIPS
neweyeTax-GrantTIPS
RoboligentRobotics-M&AGosung eng.
WebaresoftAPI Gateway-GrantTIPS
Bolao roastingK-Coffee350 millionSeedinnobuildlab
KDT DiamondLab grown diamond-Series A BridgeSmart Hanwha KDB Gyeonggi Carbon Neutral ESG Fund
YuneFashion-Pre-Series AKorea Investment Accelerator, MYSC

#Major Funding

  • Vinssen, an eco-friendly marine mobility solutions provider, has secured a 20 billion KRW investment. The company focuses on developing and producing fuel cell systems and eco-friendly ship propulsion systems. With the investment, Vinssen plans to expand related facilities and invest in R&D to advance its hydrogen fuel cell technology for ships.
  • Fassto has raised 19 billion KRW, bringing its total accumulated investment to 130 billion KRW. As an AI-driven logistics platform, Fassto provides fulfillment services optimized for online stores by systematizing the entire logistics process based on its self-developed Fulfillment Management System (FMS) and automated equipment.
  • Infinic secured a 15 billion KRW investment. Specializing in software testing and applying AI technology in the automotive industry, Infinic recently collaborated with Hyundai Motor to supply AI training data necessary for autonomous vehicle development. The company is aiming for an IPO by the end of the year.

#Trend Analysis

3 Key Sectors Attract Investors Despite Consumer Tech Slowdown

Despite the recent downturn in the consumer tech investment market, certain sectors continue to see active investment activity. Among these, startups in the beauty, fashion, and food tech sectors are attracting ongoing investor interest. This is primarily attributed to the global market expansion potential these companies possess.

An analysis of 20 companies in the consumer tech sector that have received Series B or higher growth stage investments or undergone mergers and acquisitions (M&A) reveals that these companies are concentrated in the beauty, fashion, and food tech sectors. A common trait among these companies is that they have gained recognition for their global market expansion potential based on their proven performance in the domestic market. This has enabled them to secure large-scale investments or strategic M&As, establishing a foundation for global expansion through synergies with medium and large enterprises.

A notable trend is the increasing number of large corporations acquiring beauty startups. Despite the overall sluggish M&A market, substantial investments in cosmetic brands continue, which can be interpreted as a strategic approach leveraging the global recognition of K-beauty. Notable examples include the vegan color cosmetics brand Amuse, acquired by Shinsegae International for 71.5 billion won, and Laka Cosmetics, acquired by Goodai Global. These M&As can be seen as part of a strategy for large corporations to expand their overseas presence while facilitating the global market entry of smaller brands through their global networks.

Another example demonstrating the global expansion potential of K-beauty is the 12.5 billion won investment in Velymonkeys, a K-beauty platform targeting the Indian market.

In the food tech sector, investments are focusing on brands with global growth potential. Sweetbio, a Greek yogurt brand operator, has secured investment from Lotte and is preparing to enter the Japanese market. YOAJUNG, a yogurt ice cream brand, was acquired by Samhwa Food for 40 billion won.

These investment trends reflect changing trends in the food service industry, particularly among the MZ generation, and show that innovative, rapidly growing F&B brands are attracting investor attention.

The fashion sector has seen a slight decrease in investment due to the recent decline in popularity of B2C fashion platforms. However, the successful fundraising of secondhand trading platform BGJT and luxury platform Trenbe, along with large-scale M&As such as the 75 billion won acquisition of golf wear brand Amazingcre and the 15.8 billion won acquisition of kids clothing brand Rototobebe, indicate that growth potential in the fashion sector remains valid.

The travel and accommodation sector has also seen notable investments following the recovery of travel demand post-endemic. Travel platform Myrealtrip secured a large-scale investment of 75.6 billion won, while the acquisition of luxury accommodation service provider Stayfolio also garnered industry attention.

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