[Weekly M&A] From Chungho Nais to Rebellions... 'Big Deals' Awaken the Investment Market

[Weekly Pitch: VC & M&A]

This is this week's core briefing on venture investments and M&As delivered by News Epoch. (2026.03.20 ~ 2026.03.27)

This week, the venture capital (VC) and mergers & acquisitions (M&A) market was invigorated as large-scale transactions poured out like a bursting dam. In particular, massive investments worth hundreds of billions of won were concentrated in high-tech sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and semiconductors, highlighting a prominent movement to secure future growth engines for the market. It was a week characterized by the active strategic M&As of large conglomerates and investment activities by renowned VCs.

■ Overwhelmingly Large Big Deals, Giants' Movements Add Vitality to the Market

The most attention-grabbing deal was the emergence of Chungho Nais as a target for sale, estimated at around 800 billion won. Pushed forward as a stake sale by the owner's family to raise funds for inheritance taxes, it is reported that they are currently holding exclusive acquisition negotiations with Carlyle. This is expected to be recorded as one of the largest M&A deals of the year. In the investment market, AI semiconductor startup Rebellions successfully attracted 250 billion won in direct investment from the National Growth Fund, firing the starting signal to earnestly foster a 'K-Nvidia'. With 50 billion won from the Korea Development Bank and 300 billion won in matched private funds, the capital will be injected to support the mass production of 2nd-generation AI semiconductors and the development of next-generation chips. Alongside this, Forest Partners arranged a mega-sized investment worth hundreds of billions of won into a Silicon Valley-based autonomous driving startup in the US, seeking synergy with the domestic mobility industry.

The moves of global big tech companies also caught the eye. Amazon accelerated its entry into the consumer robotics market by acquiring humanoid robot startup Fauna Robotics. Domestically, Haesung Aerobotics secured a 23 billion won M&A investment from K Humus and Khan STN to strengthen the technological competitiveness of its robot power transmission devices. Meanwhile, JYP Partners, the venture capital arm of JYP Entertainment, formed a consortium with SBI Investment and became the sole candidate for the culture account of the 2026 1st regular capital contribution project of the fund of funds, securing an advantageous position for the GP selection.

■ AI, Robotics, Semiconductors, Healthcare: Investment Heat Continues in Hot Sectors Leading the Market

The artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, semiconductors, and bio/healthcare sectors continued their intense investment heat this week. Notably, Anabatic Semi, a developer of semiconductors for battery management systems (BMS), attracted a 15 billion won Series B investment from Smilegate Investment, Mirae Asset Venture Investment, and others, raising expectations for core technologies within the semiconductor industry. Labrador Labs, which develops an AI-based automated open-source security vulnerability analysis platform, also successfully closed a 14.5 billion won Series B investment from Shinhan Venture Investment, DS Asset Management, and others.

In the healthcare sector, Viewtel, the developer of the needle-free blood glucose meter 'Happy Zone', attracted over 10 billion won in funds and is pushing for an IPO next year. J INTS BIO, which is developing a 4th-generation oral non-small cell lung cancer treatment, secured an 18 billion won Pre-IPO investment from Yuhan and others, accelerating its IPO preparations. DIO, a leading domestic implant company, joined hands with LG CNS to build an 'AX platform' led by artificial intelligence (AI), planning to pioneer the digital transformation of the dental care industry. Furthermore, 'anticancer drug developer' New Cancer Cure Bio attracted a 5 billion won investment, spurring on its research and development for new biological drugs.

AI-related investments also continued steadily. Primer, having formed a fund dedicated to creator entrepreneurs, executed its first investment in JoCoding AX Partners, which provides AI transformation consulting and solutions. Company A, a generative AI-based K-POP secondary IP platform company, also attracted investment from CNT Tech, solidifying AI's position as a promising sector. Within the venture capital industry, there is an increasing trend of interest in tech companies focusing on hair loss treatment or prevention, raising expectations for the formation of a new healthcare trend.

■ M&A, Restructuring, and Other Notable Deals

In the M&A market, NICE Health acquired an 83.43% stake in Doctor's Tech, securing the position of the largest shareholder and aiming to expand its healthcare business. Hwahae Global, the operator of the mobile beauty platform 'Hwahae', undertook management efficiency measures by resolving its capital impairment state through the sale of a subsidiary. Meanwhile, a quiet game of wits continues among e-commerce companies such as Kurly and AliExpress over the separate sale of Homeplus Express, drawing close attention to the outcome.

In addition, Cobon, a manufacturer of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT), secured a strategic investment from Japan's Sanyo Trading, accelerating its expansion into the global market. Non-invasive energy-based high-tech wellness care brand LPGIO Wellness attracted an additional 300 million won from a personal investment association, and Kimute, which operates the beauty brand 'Somyo', secured a seed investment to target Japan and Vietnam. Freepins, which provides rental conversion consulting, attracted a strategic investment from ACF, a US structured finance investment firm.

[Epoch Point]

This week's VC and M&A market saw intensive investments in future core technology sectors such as AI, robotics, semiconductors, and bio/healthcare, alongside large-scale deals. This implies that domestic and foreign investors are boldly betting on high-tech companies with clear growth engines, even amid uncertain macroeconomic conditions. In particular, the active participation of large corporations and renowned VCs is projected to accelerate the growth of promising tech startups and drive the industrial ecosystem forward.