Kakao Ventures is one of the early-stage VCs in Korea, with a focus on everything mobile and software. Kakao Ventures believes in harnessing the power of startups to change their world. Their mission statement is to be the backers of smart entrepreneurs who set their courses, in the form of startups armed with a competitive edge, to solve real-world problems. Kakao Ventures specializes in helping entrepreneurs from super-early stages. They have a track record of identifying strong contenders and investing in startup teams at their nascency and also provide startups with access to the tightly-knit "Kakao Ventures Family" of portfolio companies that share the sense of camaraderie and DNA of game-changers.
Rebellions Inc specializes in developing artificial intelligence semiconductors that serve as full-stack alternatives for AI processing. The company focuses on creating genuine AI accelerators by effectively linking silicon architectures with deep learning algorithms. This is achieved by pushing the boundaries of algorithms to better utilize silicon resources and redesigning AI processors to include advanced deep learning features through dedicated silicon kernels. Rebellions aims to deliver domain-specific AI processors alongside optimized software, enabling clients to access powerful and energy-efficient AI hardware. Their innovative approach ensures seamless integration and enhanced performance, addressing the limitations of traditional AI chip designs.
Rebellions Inc specializes in developing artificial intelligence semiconductors that serve as full-stack alternatives for AI processing. The company focuses on creating genuine AI accelerators by effectively linking silicon architectures with deep learning algorithms. This is achieved by pushing the boundaries of algorithms to better utilize silicon resources and redesigning AI processors to include advanced deep learning features through dedicated silicon kernels. Rebellions aims to deliver domain-specific AI processors alongside optimized software, enabling clients to access powerful and energy-efficient AI hardware. Their innovative approach ensures seamless integration and enhanced performance, addressing the limitations of traditional AI chip designs.
21market is a platform that purchases used electronics, inspects them, and upcycles the products. It repairs secondhand electronics and sells refurbished items. 21market is based in Seoul, South Korea.
RECON Labs is a creator of a cloud-based artificial intelligence platform that makes it easier to transform 2D photographs into 3D ones. The business' virtual reality-based technology transforms photos into 3D models automatically to get a new method of buying, allowing customers and merchants to experience the online commerce sector to boost their happiness and lead to increase sales.
SWATCHON.COM was launched under the motive to provide a variety of unique, high-quality wholesale fabrics at a reasonable price. Their team is composed of young, creative, professional and motivated individuals crazy and passionate about fashion fabric. And they are here to help you find the perfect fabric for your collection. They assure that you will have great experiences with their personalized approach to each and every client.
Medb Korea is a medical consumer, hospital, and pharmacy-focused online medical care and prescription drug delivery platform.. Medb Korea is located in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
Emocog is a company focused on developing a digital therapeutic platform aimed at addressing cognitive impairment, particularly in dementia patients. The platform offers customized cognitive training to enhance memory and cognitive abilities for individuals experiencing mild cognitive impairment. Emocog's technology incorporates offline capabilities and artificial intelligence-based speaker services to encourage behavioral and lifestyle changes among patients. Additionally, it provides medical professionals with software-based cognitive training regimens and diagnostic tools, facilitating a more effective approach to dementia treatment. By focusing on personalized cognitive interventions, Emocog aims to improve the quality of life for patients dealing with cognitive challenges.
Developer of movie and television show-based recommendation platform designed to help viewers choose what to watch. The company's OTT integrated application uses features like personalized recommendations based on traffic light evaluation and reviews and tells viewers which OTT platform is showing the searched media when they search for movies, dramas, animations and TV programs, enabling viewers to find the content that is right for them without wasting time searching each OTT platform.
A.I. Music Technology Company based in Seoul, South Korea
ARGO
Series A in 2021
ARGO provides a one-stop logistics system. ARGO not only manages orders and inventories but also foresees future demand to enhance efficiency for e-commerce operators.
RECON Labs is a creator of a cloud-based artificial intelligence platform that makes it easier to transform 2D photographs into 3D ones. The business' virtual reality-based technology transforms photos into 3D models automatically to get a new method of buying, allowing customers and merchants to experience the online commerce sector to boost their happiness and lead to increase sales.
EVR Studio is a virtual reality content development company based in Seoul, South Korea. The company specializes in creating immersive virtual worlds that blend real-life experiences with imaginative possibilities. It brings together professionals from diverse fields such as game development, visual effects, engineering, fashion, writing, and photography. Currently, EVR Studio is focused on developing virtual reality games, mobile VR streaming solutions, and creative media production, aiming to push the boundaries of VR technology and enhance user experiences.
Emocog is a company focused on developing a digital therapeutic platform aimed at addressing cognitive impairment, particularly in dementia patients. The platform offers customized cognitive training to enhance memory and cognitive abilities for individuals experiencing mild cognitive impairment. Emocog's technology incorporates offline capabilities and artificial intelligence-based speaker services to encourage behavioral and lifestyle changes among patients. Additionally, it provides medical professionals with software-based cognitive training regimens and diagnostic tools, facilitating a more effective approach to dementia treatment. By focusing on personalized cognitive interventions, Emocog aims to improve the quality of life for patients dealing with cognitive challenges.
39 degrees C is the Media application development company providing ‘LILAY’ which is a multi-camera live streaming app and ‘feedeo’ which is a video making app with various stylish templates. LILAY, the featured app of our company, shares the camera screens between smartphones to realize a multi-camera without any other equipment. It allows real-time video shooting/transmission by using the mobile built-in technology called WiFi-Direct. It is the unique technology in the world and currently holds a lot of domestic and foreign patent licenses.
Developer of movie and television show-based recommendation platform designed to help viewers choose what to watch. The company's OTT integrated application uses features like personalized recommendations based on traffic light evaluation and reviews and tells viewers which OTT platform is showing the searched media when they search for movies, dramas, animations and TV programs, enabling viewers to find the content that is right for them without wasting time searching each OTT platform.
Dable, Inc. is a South Korean company established in 2015 that operates an online content discovery platform utilizing big data. The company specializes in providing personalized content recommendation solutions and native advertising services, aiming to enhance user engagement through tailored product and content suggestions. By analyzing behavioral data from both online and offline interactions, Dable's platform enables businesses to create and edit content in real-time across various formats. This innovative approach not only helps clients increase page views and profitability but also seeks to enrich consumers' lifestyles by extending its personalization services beyond the digital realm. With a background in developing successful recommendation platforms, the team is focused on expanding its capabilities to meet the evolving needs of users and businesses alike.
LumanLab develops digital therapeutics to solve developmental delay problems.
ARGO
Venture Round in 2020
ARGO provides a one-stop logistics system. ARGO not only manages orders and inventories but also foresees future demand to enhance efficiency for e-commerce operators.
Rebellions Inc specializes in developing artificial intelligence semiconductors that serve as full-stack alternatives for AI processing. The company focuses on creating genuine AI accelerators by effectively linking silicon architectures with deep learning algorithms. This is achieved by pushing the boundaries of algorithms to better utilize silicon resources and redesigning AI processors to include advanced deep learning features through dedicated silicon kernels. Rebellions aims to deliver domain-specific AI processors alongside optimized software, enabling clients to access powerful and energy-efficient AI hardware. Their innovative approach ensures seamless integration and enhanced performance, addressing the limitations of traditional AI chip designs.
Impressivo, Inc. is a South Korean company founded in 2012 that specializes in developing fabric 3D touch sensors aimed at enhancing user interaction with digital devices. These sensors are designed for various applications, including smart wearables, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, automotive systems, digital healthcare, and virtual and augmented reality interfaces. Impressivo's technology allows for pressure and multitouch sensitivity, enabling users to engage more intuitively with products and helping brands to create smarter devices.
T Port Inc. is an accommodation management platform. T Port Inc.'s real-time reservation management book can easily manage all bookings on the computer or smartphone anytime, anywhere.
Remake Digital Co., Ltd. is a South Korean company that specializes in digital marketing services, particularly in performance marketing. Founded in 2018 and based in Seoul, the company develops an AI-driven platform known as CROLO, which automates the design of advertisement banners. By utilizing advanced technologies such as computer vision, natural language processing, and data analytics, Remake Digital aims to streamline the ad design process, reducing both time and costs for advertisers while enhancing ad performance through data-driven insights. This innovative approach allows clients to benefit from high-quality, efficient advertising solutions tailored to their needs.
Smart Radar System (SRS) is a pioneer in the field of 4D image radar. Having specialized in radar technology for more than three years, SRS is developing the world's first 4D image radar, RETINA, with sub 1 degree angular resolution and 360 degree surround view.
Tripstore is an O2O platform that makes it easy to search overseas trips. The company has more than one million international travel products from seventy countries around the world, where the users can easily check out their desired overseas travel products.
Terra is a price-stable cryptocurrency designed for mass adoption. It builds financial infrastructure for the next generation of decentralized applications. Terra is backed by Luna, a decentralized asset that derives its value from transaction fees collected on the Terra network. Much like the moon stabilizes the earth’s rotation, Luna is Terra's eternal guardian of stability.
Developer of a mobile-based foreign currency platform designed to provide digital travel wallet services. The company's platform includes a currency exchange service, real-time exchange rates, an exchange rate calculator, local cash pick-up, physical card issuance, and an exchange rate graph, enabling tourists and business travelers to get fast and easy money exchange service at a competitive rate compared to retail banks.
WhaTap Inc. is a South Korean company that designs and develops cloud-based software for server and database monitoring. Its platform offers real-time alerts to users, enabling them to identify potential risks or malfunctions across various devices, including PCs, mobile devices, and Apple Watches. The company's focus is on providing a business-to-business service monitoring solution that enhances operational efficiency through proactive management of IT systems.
LetinAR Co., Ltd., founded in 2016 and based in Seoul, South Korea, specializes in the development of augmented reality (AR) smart glasses. The company has introduced innovative technology known as PinMR™ lens, which addresses common limitations of existing AR products, such as bulkiness and inadequate functionality. LetinAR's proprietary pin mirror technology reflects light from a microdisplay and directs it into users' pupils using the pinhole effect, allowing for enhanced optic control during AR experiences. By focusing on creating lightweight, user-friendly designs, LetinAR aims to provide a seamless integration of augmented reality into everyday life, effectively replacing traditional smartphone displays with advanced smart glasses.
Laftel Inc. is a company based in Seoul, South Korea, founded in 2014, that operates a digital comics service platform. It develops a mobile app and web service that gathers and analyzes the comic preferences of its users to provide tailored recommendations for comic works available across various platforms. In addition to its focus on comics, Laftel also offers an online animation video streaming service, featuring a range of animated shows and videos in categories such as action, adventure, music, and sports. This dual approach enables Laftel to cater to diverse entertainment preferences, enhancing user engagement and satisfaction.
Tripstore is an O2O platform that makes it easy to search overseas trips. The company has more than one million international travel products from seventy countries around the world, where the users can easily check out their desired overseas travel products.
VITCON Inc. is a South Korean company specializing in Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. The company develops MODLINK, an innovative built-in controller that integrates advanced software and hardware technology. This product allows users, including those without software engineering backgrounds, to easily configure and utilize IoT applications. Additionally, VITCON offers a platform for machine management that leverages artificial intelligence to monitor and control mechanical equipment. This platform enables users to remotely manage machinery in various environments, such as factories and farms, through smartphone applications, providing a user-friendly interface for real-time monitoring and control.
SWATCHON.COM was launched under the motive to provide a variety of unique, high-quality wholesale fabrics at a reasonable price. Their team is composed of young, creative, professional and motivated individuals crazy and passionate about fashion fabric. And they are here to help you find the perfect fabric for your collection. They assure that you will have great experiences with their personalized approach to each and every client.
Dable, Inc. is a South Korean company established in 2015 that operates an online content discovery platform utilizing big data. The company specializes in providing personalized content recommendation solutions and native advertising services, aiming to enhance user engagement through tailored product and content suggestions. By analyzing behavioral data from both online and offline interactions, Dable's platform enables businesses to create and edit content in real-time across various formats. This innovative approach not only helps clients increase page views and profitability but also seeks to enrich consumers' lifestyles by extending its personalization services beyond the digital realm. With a background in developing successful recommendation platforms, the team is focused on expanding its capabilities to meet the evolving needs of users and businesses alike.
THE CLOZET is a fashion sharing service aiming to be Airbnb for fashion. THE CLOZET makes profit by connecting its individual customers with fashion items which are not used often and allows them to borrow the items from other users at reasonable prices. THE CLOZET also gives the concierge service such as delivery, cleaning, maintenance which can make it the most seamless fashion sharing service.
Brunt. Co. Ltd. designs and manufactures Internet of things (IoT) based smart home hardware and software. It manufactures Brunt Blind Engine, a device that transforms standard home blinds into smart electric blinds; Brunt PowerStation, a stationary multifunctional device that supplies electricity in a variety of ways; Brunt Plug, a product that controls the power of various electric devices via smartphone; Brunt WIFI Router, a wi-fi router; and Brunt Cord, a portable USB and AC power strip. The company also develops software solutions, including Brunt Sky, an IoT operating server platform that allows remote smartphone control of devices, analyzes the usage patterns of these devices, and helps them learn and act on their own; and Brunt App, a smartphone application that provides remote control and monitoring functions for connected hardware devices. Brunt. Co. Ltd. was founded in 2015 and is based in Seoul, South Korea.
Grepp, Inc., founded in 2014 and based in Seoul, South Korea, specializes in smart developer recruitment and software training solutions. The company aims to enhance the competitiveness of developers by facilitating educational opportunities, problem-solving exchanges, and career guidance. Grepp supports individuals in understanding the value of software, fostering creative problem-solving skills from an early age. By connecting talented developers with companies, Grepp helps them pursue their career aspirations while enabling organizations to assemble skilled teams capable of delivering high-value software solutions.
Baum provides electronic design automation (EDA) software and solutions that enable engineering groups in the automotive, internet of things (IoT), mobile, networking and server markets to fully optimize the energy efficiency of their semiconductor designs. Founded in 2016 by seasoned semiconductor professionals with technical, R&D and business development expertise, Baum is privately held and funded.
At TOROOC, we build intelligent biped robots using various A.I. and motion technologies. Since its foundation in 2012, we have prepared the era of 'a robot in every home'.
We finally introduce our first robot LiKU, a social robot designed to live with you. Starting with LiKU, we plan to bring more advanced robots to the world to make our lives better.
Trost is a mental healthcare service provider based in Seoul, South Korea, established in 2016. The company specializes in offering online counseling services and an employee assistance program (EAP), which connects individuals with professional counselors for diagnosis and treatment through a mobile application. In addition to counseling, Trost provides various self-analysis tests that include psychological assessments, personality evaluations, depression screenings, self-esteem assessments, job stress evaluations, and MBTI-related tests. Through these services, Trost aims to enhance mental well-being and support individuals in managing their psychological health.
Lablup is a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) solution that provides cloud and server management and scaling automation specific to machine learning environments that require a large amount of system resources.
Launched in November 2016, Lablup is a distributed-processing-based, open source execution platform that is responsible for smoothly distributing program code for design and training of deep learning models in server and cloud environments. It is based on Docker technology, which efficiently provides multiple independent operating environments on a physical server.
It also provides web-based, personalized programming education specialized in STEM field through CodeOnWeb, an online coding education platform developed based on the SORNA engine. Lablup is also developing a machine learning based natural language processing API along with a streaming interface that services various machine learning models in the form of API.
Operator of an astrology platform intended to provide a modern, mobile-based experience for users in predicting fate. The company's platform offers various traditional fortune-telling methods including a daily horoscope, monthly horoscope, and Tarot, access to fate and fortune-telling services through leading characters released by the posters, enabling users to know the flow of their luck in advance to find emotional balance and psychological stability.
Exosystems provides an IoT rehabilitation solution for rehabilitation patients. Exosystems' rehabilitation solution provides optimized exercise program (contents) to patients through analyzing user rehabilitation activity data. It also provides entertaining rehabilitation exercise to encourage the patient's in their quick recovery. Previously, rehabilitation costs were high and rehabilitation programs were available only in limited locations such as hospitals. However, using Exosystems enables rehabilitation to be available at lower cost, while also providing rehabilitation more efficiently by using robotics and data analysis technology.
WhaTap Inc. is a South Korean company that designs and develops cloud-based software for server and database monitoring. Its platform offers real-time alerts to users, enabling them to identify potential risks or malfunctions across various devices, including PCs, mobile devices, and Apple Watches. The company's focus is on providing a business-to-business service monitoring solution that enhances operational efficiency through proactive management of IT systems.
Dable, Inc. is a South Korean company established in 2015 that operates an online content discovery platform utilizing big data. The company specializes in providing personalized content recommendation solutions and native advertising services, aiming to enhance user engagement through tailored product and content suggestions. By analyzing behavioral data from both online and offline interactions, Dable's platform enables businesses to create and edit content in real-time across various formats. This innovative approach not only helps clients increase page views and profitability but also seeks to enrich consumers' lifestyles by extending its personalization services beyond the digital realm. With a background in developing successful recommendation platforms, the team is focused on expanding its capabilities to meet the evolving needs of users and businesses alike.
Sugarhill is a Korean company that develops a commercial real estate platform called Nemo.
PlayHard
Seed Round in 2016
Indie game developer consisting of 2 people; CEO Jung-Hyeok Shin and AD Gi-Ho Jeong. The team has unique way to combine the fun elements into the indie-specific frx-amework.‘Red Bros’ is casual RPG that allows plax-yers to place and defeat a mercenary/native force in battle with touch-friendly drag and drop functionality. The game will coming out this year in 2016.
V8 Games, founded in 2015 and based in Seoul, South Korea, specializes in the development of mobile games, particularly in the casual social networking game (SNG) genre. The company is comprised of a team of experienced professionals who previously worked at Party Games, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the mobile gaming industry. V8 Games focuses on creating engaging and entertaining gaming experiences for a broad audience, leveraging the growing popularity of mobile platforms to reach players worldwide.
KoKomo is comprised of experienced team members who have successfully developed, launched and operated various online games including “Lineage2“, the first 3D MMORPG in Korea which has been loved by many users for more than 10 years, and NCSoft’s flagship MMO title “Blade&Soul“.
Contrary to today’s trend in the game market which is inclined towards TCG and other midcore RPG games, KoKoMo would like to focus on hardcore RPG genre which remains as blue ocean. They are aiming to develop a flagship mobile MMORPG game that can also target gamers in Asia, who have similar characteristics and interests to gamers in Korea.
In the early days of E-Sports, unrivaled skills and overflowing enthusiasm towards games were the only two requisites to become a professional gamer. Nowadays with the rise of global E-Sports fandoms, performance became only one of many requisites of a pro-gamer. Fans are connected to pro-gamers everywhere through various channels such as SNS and live & video platforms. In order to satisfy their needs and be loved by them, a professional gamer needs more than just playing games. E-Sportainment is the compound word of E-Sports and Entertainment. It’s the most explicit and mission-oriented word to describe what STILL8 does. Combining entertainment factors with E-Sports, we help current pro-gamers to boost their talents and retired pro-gamers to sustain their career. Playing games is one part, amusing fans with various entertainments is another. As so, STILL8 ultimately pursues the E-Sports of the gamer, by the gamer, and for the gamer.
In the early days of E-Sports, unrivaled skills and overflowing enthusiasm towards games were the only two requisites to become a professional gamer. Nowadays with the rise of global E-Sports fandoms, performance became only one of many requisites of a pro-gamer. Fans are connected to pro-gamers everywhere through various channels such as SNS and live & video platforms. In order to satisfy their needs and be loved by them, a professional gamer needs more than just playing games. E-Sportainment is the compound word of E-Sports and Entertainment. It’s the most explicit and mission-oriented word to describe what STILL8 does. Combining entertainment factors with E-Sports, we help current pro-gamers to boost their talents and retired pro-gamers to sustain their career. Playing games is one part, amusing fans with various entertainments is another. As so, STILL8 ultimately pursues the E-Sports of the gamer, by the gamer, and for the gamer.
Text Factory provides MUNBS service, the leading text-based assistant service in Korea and aims at making busy people feel relaxed and allowing them to focus on more important things in their lives. MUNBS supports various customer requests from reservations, purchases, deliveries to information search in cooperation with many suppliers and service providers in the market.
Dunamu Inc. is a South Korean company specializing in blockchain and securities services. Founded in 2012 and based in Seoul, it operates UPbit, a global cryptocurrency exchange that offers a mobile-ready trading platform with real-time coin prices and market analysis. Additionally, Dunamu provides a cryptocurrency market index through UBCI and blockchain-as-a-service via Luniverse. The company also offers securities information services through its Stockplus platform and investment services. In the media sector, Dunamu has developed News Mate, a mobile application that delivers digital copies of various Korean newspapers and magazines, enhancing access to news in the region.