[Weekly M&A] AI, Energy, and Semiconductors Take the Lead… VC Investment and M&A Market Regain Vitality Amid Large-Scale Deals

[Weekly Pitch: VC & M&A]

Here is this week's key venture investment and M&A briefing brought to you by News Epoch. (2026.03.06 ~ 2026.03.13)

Over the past week, the venture investment and M&A market showed active movements centered on future core industries such as artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy, and semiconductors. In particular, a series of mega deals worth hundreds of billions of won injected vitality into the market. The participation of large conglomerates and prominent investment firms also raised expectations across the overall investment ecosystem. Even amid macroeconomic uncertainty, the concentration of funds into promising sectors appears to be intensifying.

Mega Deals and Strategic Moves by Large Conglomerates Moving the Market

The most highly anticipated deal in the market this week was the 300 billion won pre-IPO investment attracted by AI semiconductor company Rebellions. This investment, backed by the Korea Development Bank's National Growth Fund, proved the potential of domestic AI semiconductor technology amidst intensifying competition to build AI infrastructure. In the M&A market, renewable energy power plant developer SK Eternix announced a large-scale investment in the renewable energy sector by handing over a controlling stake worth 247.8 billion won to KKR. Eco Marketing, an advertising agency and business boosting enterprise, also completed an M&A deal worth 216.5 billion won with BCPE EA Bidco 1. Along with this, Korean Air acquired the entire stake of Korean Air C&D Service, which operates in-flight meals and duty-free businesses, from Hahn & Company, reaffirming a corporate value estimated at approximately 1 trillion won.

Hydrogen fuel cell company MiKo Power attracted 100 billion won in investment, emerging as a core company in the era of energy transition. ROKIT Healthcare, which develops an AI hyper-personalized organ regeneration platform, received 62.5 billion won, while carbon fiber-based aviation parts specialist Songwol Technology secured 41.6 billion won in investment. Autonomous driving technology developer Autonomous a2z raised 40.5 billion won in a pre-IPO round, genome analysis company Geninus secured 20 billion won, plant-based collagen developer Roga raised 15 billion won, and robot automation solution company XYZ attracted a 13 billion won Series B investment. iM Financial Group also received a 10 billion won investment from OK Capital.

AI, Robotics, Renewable Energy… Promising Sectors Leading the Future

The fields of AI and robotics, which are core future technologies, further fueled investment enthusiasm in tandem with the strategic moves of large conglomerates. KRAFTON and Hanwha announced the establishment of a joint venture to target the physical AI market, presenting the potential for AI technology convergence between major gaming and defense corporations. News of AI company acquisitions by global big tech firms also continued. Meta acquired Maltbook, often called the 'SNS for AIs,' anticipating synergy with its superintelligence research lab. Netflix also showed moves to integrate AI technology into video content production by acquiring an AI film production company founded by Ben Affleck for up to $600 million. Supply chain management solution specialist Zionex acquired AI specialist BR Frame, accelerating the establishment of an autonomous SCM platform. Viverse, which assists in the AI transformation of corporate data and business processes, was selected for the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' TIPS program, gaining recognition for its growth potential.

Large-scale investments and strategic collaborations were active in the renewable energy sector. Eflow, a hydrogen-based powertrain and mobility solution company, attracted strategic investment from Sungwoo Hitech and is expected to contribute to the expansion of the hydrogen economy. In addition, Buycell Standard, which operates the token securities-based digital asset platform 'PIECE', secured a 4 billion won Series A investment, continuing its growth trend in the fintech sector. Virtual IP content company SCON secured a 7.5 billion won Series A investment, and K-pop tech company Hanteo Global received a strategic investment from Dreamus Company, driving the digital transformation of the entertainment and platform industries.

Mixed Outcomes in the M&A Market and Strategic Alliances

In this week's M&A market, alongside successful large-scale deals, cases facing the risk of falling through also stood out. Busan EP faced difficulties in raising acquisition financing for the buyout of Nexflex, which has an estimated value of 850 billion won, drawing attention to whether the deal will be finalized. Venture capital firm Korea Investment Partners (KIP) showed active portfolio reorganization moves by pushing for the sale of management rights in semiconductor intellectual property (IP) company Chips&Media, while simultaneously stepping up to acquire MNC Solution. Hanatour made a strategic investment in the travel activity booking platform WAUG, setting out to target the travel market showing signs of recovery post-pandemic. Stevia-based food specialist Dr. True attracted a 4 billion won Series A investment, and U&Soft, a non-face-to-face opening platform for high-speed internet and IPTV, secured a Pre-A investment. Artist limited-edition fashion platform FiveX and online direct transaction brand aggregator Fungus International also knocked on the market's doors by attracting seed investments.

[Epoch Point]

This week's VC and M&A market saw a prominent concentration of funds in core technology sectors such as AI, renewable energy, and semiconductors. With large-scale investments continuing, the efforts of companies to secure future growth engines are becoming visible. However, macroeconomic uncertainties such as rising oil prices and the financial difficulties of some startups could be factors that increase market volatility. The sorting of the wheat from the chaff is expected to intensify even within promising sectors.