[Korean Startup Weekly News #24] Paywatch Raises KRW 20 Billion in Series A to Expand Salary Advance Services

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Period : June 24th – June 30rd, 2024

Headline

Paywatch Raises KRW 20 Billion in Series A to Expand Salary Advance Services
Paywatch, specializing in advance salary payment services, raised KRW 20 billion in Series A funding to enhance services and expand into Southeast Asia, aiming for significant transaction volume growth.

MSS and FTC of South Korea Discuss CVC Policies and Trends at Quarterly Meeting
The MSS and FTC of South Korea discussed CVC trends at the Korea Venture Capital Association’s Q2 2024 meeting, noting Korean CVCs invested approximately KRW 2.1 trillion in 2023.

Check out the latest funding news for Korean startups

Speakeasy Labs Secures 30B KRW with its AI English Learning Solution ‘Speak’, Eyes Unicorn Status
Speakeasy Labs, the Korean developer of AI learning app Speak, secured a KRW 30 billion Series B3 investment, valuing the company at KRW 700 billion and aiming for unicorn status.

Welt Raises 14 Billion KRW to Accelerate SleepQ Commercialization and Global Reach
Korean-based Welt raised 14 billion KRW in Series C funding, aiming to commercialize its SleepQ therapeutic and expand into Europe starting with Germany.

BREAK&COMPANY Secures Additional Funding, Eyes Global Expansion and New Partnerships
BREAK&COMPANY, a South Korean trading card firm, has raised over KRW 10 billion, planning to expand globally and collaborate on card production with local sports and entertainment IPs.

Korean Fashion Platform DANBLE Raises 5.4 Billion KRW in Series A Funding
Taylor Town’s DANBLE, a fashion platform for 30s-50s Korean men, secured 5.4 billion KRW from Goodwater Capital. Launched in March 2022, it offers personalized sizing and popular brands.

PI Corporation Secures 4 Billion KRW Series A Investment from Altos Ventures
PI Corporation, founded by 1st generation influencer Son Sung-soo, secures 4 billion KRW Series A investment from Altos Ventures, marking its first external funding round.

Simsysglobal Secures 3 Billion KRW to Lead Digital Twin Technology Expansion
Korean startup SimsysGlobal secures 3 billion KRW in seriesA funding to advance digital twin technology, leveraging their innovative SmartSpace service and patented technologies.

RNR Lab Secures Additional KRW 2.4 Billion for Advanced Semiconductor Technologies
RNR Lab, a South Korean startup, secured KRW 2.4 billion from KCLAVIS Investment and the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund to enhance its semiconductor thermal processing equipment technology.

CarbonSaurus Secures Pre-Series A Funding to Enhance AI-Driven Carbon Accounting
CarbonSaurus, a Korean carbon accounting startup, secured pre-Series A funding to enhance its AI-driven CarbonTrack platform and expand operational infrastructure

Doers Corp.’s ‘ZVZO’ Secures Pre-Series A Funding to Expand Influencer-Brand Platform
Doers Corp. raised pre-Series A funding for ‘ZVZO’, an affiliate platform linking influencers and brands, aiming to grow its user base and expand into new markets.

Sweep Raises KRW 1 Billion in Seed Funding to Revolutionize E-commerce Order Management
Sweep, a Korean startup, secured KRW 1 billion in seed funding to streamline e-commerce order management by integrating various vendor files and simplifying processes with a one-click solution.

Nangman Inc.’s Toorder: Revolutionizing Digital Transformation in the Restaurant Industry
Korean startup Nangman Inc., operating the digital transformation solution ‘Toorder’ for the restaurant industry, has secured pre-Series A investment.

Endo Health Secures pre-Seed Investment to Advance Digital Healthcare Services for Diabetes
Endo Health, a Korean startup based in Silicon Valley, secures pre-Seed investments from a16z and Anne Wojcicki, CEO of 23andMe, for its AI-driven diabetes management.

Meet startups that are striving for global expansion through exclusive interviews

[Korean Startup Interview] BION LIQUID: Leading the Way in Ionic Liquid Innovation for a New Bio-Ecosystem
BION LIQUID, a Korean innovative biotech startup, uses ionic liquid technology to convert injectable drugs into oral forms, aiming to simplify medication administration and improve patient compliance.

[Korean Startup Interview] Neurogrin: ‘Innovating Neurological Treatments to Restore Smiles with Advanced Tech’
Korean biotech startup Neurogrin pioneers advanced diagnostic and therapeutic technologies for neurological disorders, focusing on precise pain assessment and vagus nerve stimulation.

WEBTOON Entertainment Sets IPO Price at $21, Targets $315 Million Raise
WEBTOON Entertainment Inc. priced its IPO at $21.00 per share, expecting to raise $315 million. Shares will trade on Nasdaq under “WBTN” from June 27, 2024.

Alicorn Unveils ‘SpoAny Smart’: Korea’s First AI-Operated Fitness Center
SpoAny Smart, launched by KD Healthcare with Alicorn SpaceAI, offers 24/7 fitness access for 20,000 KRW/month. The company plans to expand to 1,000 locations in two years.

BUSAN Slush’D 2024: Fostering Innovation and Global Connections in the Southeast Region
BUSAN Slush’D 2024 gathered 1,000 attendees, fostering startup culture, addressing regional issues, and promoting global connections with diverse programs and investor engagements.