[Weekly M&A] AI and Robot Investments Sparkle Amid a Flood of Megadeals... Active Global and Domestic M&A

[Weekly Pitch: VC & M&A]

This is the core briefing on venture investments and M&As for this week delivered by News Epoch. (2026.02.06 ~ 2026.02.13)

This week's venture investment and M&A market showed active movements both domestically and internationally. While astronomical M&As between global giant companies drew attention, large-scale M&As and investment attractions continued in the domestic market as well. In particular, a steady inflow of funds continued into sectors considered future growth engines, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and robots, adding dynamism to the overall industry. It was also a week where the business reorganization of large conglomerates and the new business expansion of mid-sized companies stood out.

Overwhelmingly Large Megadeals... Acceleration of Global Market Reorganization, a Flood of Large Domestic M&As

In the global M&A market, megadeals of overwhelming scale were concluded, accelerating industry reorganization. Cybersecurity company Palo Alto Networks significantly strengthened its security competitiveness by acquiring identity security specialist CyberArk for $25 billion (approximately 36 trillion won). This was recorded as the largest M&A in the history of Palo Alto Networks. Along with this, U.S. investment firm Nuveen acquired British asset manager Schroders for about $13.5 billion (approximately 18 trillion won), creating a mega-sized global asset manager with total assets under management reaching $2.5 trillion.

Large-scale deals followed one after another in the domestic market as well. DC Inside, Korea's leading internet community site, was sold to private equity fund H Private Equity for 200 billion won. Factory automation wiring reduction solution specialist Samwon Act was acquired by Eum Private Equity for 170 billion won, which is expected to accelerate investments in the industrial automation sector. Golf course score management service Smartscore attracted an investment of 110 billion won from Affirma Capital, strengthening its market dominance.

In addition, SK Discovery selected global private equity fund KKR as the preferred bidder for the sale of its stake in SK Eternix, with the completion of a deal worth around 200 billion won reportedly imminent. Fintech company Toss is said to be considering the acquisition of an overseas coin exchange, drawing attention to the possibility of its entry into the global virtual asset market.

Active Investments in Promising Sectors such as AI, Robots, and Bio... An All-Out Effort to Secure Future Growth Engines

Investors' attention was concentrated on promising sectors considered future growth engines, such as artificial intelligence (AI), robots, and bio. Amid the boom in the global AI market, including Anthropic, which recently raised IPO expectations by being recognized with a corporate value of $380 billion, investment attraction by AI-based companies was also active in South Korea. AI-based new drug design company Galux attracted a 42 billion won investment in its Series B round, recording a cumulative investment of 68 billion won. Deep learning-based disease diagnosis software developer VUNO received a 10 billion won strategic investment from Pathway Investment, solidifying its position in the healthcare AI market. The Korea Exchange (KRX) acquired AI-based data analysis specialist Fairlabs for 6.7 billion won, marking its first AI startup M&A case since its foundation. Enterprise-customized AI building solution Crowdworks also attracted an investment of 9 billion won, expanding its area of AI technology utilization.

In the robotics sector, AI robot-based road pavement maintenance solution company Roboroad attracted seed investment and was also selected for the TIPS program, increasing the applicability of robot technology in industrial sites. In addition, AI-based healthcare technology company Witree, generative language model-based AI service developer Bybion, AIoT-based robotics residential solution Robotom, AI-based food tech startup Noah's Farm, and enterprise data integration AI platform Definit entered early market competition by attracting seed or TIPS investments.

In the bio sector, medical and pharmaceutical R&D company MustBio drew attention by attracting a 30 billion won Series C investment. Pensees, which develops cultured meat with 3D bioprinting technology, also received a 2 billion won additional Series A investment, receiving love calls from agri-food funds. Meanwhile, hydrogen fuel cell parts manufacturer T&E Korea successfully completed a 10 billion won Pre-IPO round, being recognized for its growth potential in the energy transition market.

Active Business Reorganization through M&A... Mid-sized Companies Spur the Securing of Growth Engines

Movements for business reorganization and securing growth engines through M&As were also active. For comprehensive travel company Modetour Network, Yanolja rose to become the single largest shareholder, heralding a tectonic shift in the travel platform market. KyungDong Navien accelerated its transition into a 'living environment solution company' by acquiring smart home company Commax. Haengbokhan Sangsang F&B, which operates the franchise brand 'Gogi Salon', was acquired by Bearstone Partners for 28 billion won, drawing attention from the food service industry. The goodwill of Pizza Hut Korea, which was undergoing corporate rehabilitation procedures, was sold to private equity funds K Clavis Investment and Wintergold Private Equity for 11 billion won.

Life finance brokerage platform Affinit attracted a large-scale investment of 32 billion won in its Series E round, raising expectations for an IPO. Kolon Mobility reached the final stages of acquiring used car distribution and auction company Autohub Selcar, seeking expansion from the new car dealer business into the used car market. In addition, large conglomerates' efficiency strategies appear to be bearing fruit, such as Shinsegae Food significantly increasing its operating profit last year on the back of the sale of its catering business. The Ventures attempted to expand its business in the overseas market by acquiring the management rights of the 'Chicken Plus Vietnam' corporation, while Brother's Keeper, which engages in youth independence support and plant landscaping businesses, was acquired by Macho's Puberty, driving the expansion of nature-based social businesses.

[Epoch Point]

This week's M&A market showed a trend of accelerating economies of scale with successive announcements of global giant deals. In South Korea as well, investments in new technology-based sectors such as AI, robots, and bio are continuing, and competition to secure future growth engines is fierce. The business reorganization of large conglomerates and the entry into new businesses by mid-sized companies add dynamism to the market, and efforts to enhance corporate value through selection and concentration are expected to continue.