[Weekly M&A] Massive Capital Bets on AI and Semiconductors... Foreshadowing a Seismic Shift in the VC and M&A Market

[Weekly Pitch: VC & M&A] This is News Epoch's core briefing on venture investments and M&A for this week. (2026.06.19 ~ 2026.06.26)

This week's venture capital (VC) and M&A market was highlighted by massive investments in the artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor sectors. Major conglomerates and funds injected vitality into the market, pouring in trillions of won to secure future growth engines. At the same time, it was a week of mixed fortunes, with news of growing pains in the AI market and corporate restructuring for some companies. In particular, a clear trend emerged where funds were concentrated on large-scale deals and promising sectors.

■ Overwhelmingly Large Big Deals, Conglomerates Focusing on Future Growth Engines

The most notable news this week was the announcement by Samsung that it plans to invest 1,000 trillion won in semiconductors and AI data centers over the next 10 years. This is interpreted as an intention to strengthen global technological competitiveness by reinvesting profits reaped from the memory semiconductor super-boom into core future businesses. In step with this, Naver also unveiled its growth strategy for the AI era, announcing plans to invest 1 trillion won by 2030. It plans to focus on internalizing AI technology and expanding its ecosystem.

Large-scale M&A deals also followed. Global semiconductor company Qualcomm moved to strengthen heterogeneous computing by acquiring AI infrastructure startup Modular for approximately 6.0196 trillion won ($3.9 billion). This is analyzed as a strategic move to reduce token generation and processing costs. Domestically, the National Growth Fund announced a massive capital injection into the biotechnology and defense sectors, investing a total of 1 trillion won in LigaChem Biosciences and LIG D&A.

Meanwhile, Kakao Games drew market attention by acquiring a mobile game software developer for 488.9 billion won. KakaoBank, which aims to expand its business into the non-banking credit sector, announced that it is pursuing the acquisition of a 100% stake in Mastern Capital. Dental laboratory service company Innovide secured a Series B investment of 12 billion won with participation from SBVA, IBK (Industrial Bank of Korea), and others, laying a stable foundation for growth. US discount retail chain Dollar Tree stepped up to defend its stock price by repurchasing $500 million (approximately 770 billion won) worth of its own shares in response to an activist fund's block deal sale, showcasing the busy movements of the market's big players.

■ AI and Semiconductors, the Joys and Sorrows of the Hot Sectors Leading the Market

The AI and semiconductor sectors remain at the center of the market. Micron Technology dismissed concerns about the end of the boom cycle, stating that the bottom price of memory semiconductors is much higher than the peak of the previous cycle. Boosted by such favorable tailwinds in semiconductors, the value of construction contracts in the first quarter also surged by 23% due to expanded investments in semiconductor production facilities and data centers.

However, growing pains in the AI market are also detected. OpenAI is reportedly planning to delay the release of its next AI model, GPT-5.6, and limit its target users at the request of the White House. Additionally, concerns were raised as a document exposing the financial status of OpenAI ahead of its initial public offering (IPO) was released, revealing that its losses have surged from $5 billion in 2024 to $38.53 billion (approximately 60 trillion won) this year. John Williams, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, warned that the AI investment boom could lead to greater-than-expected inflationary pressures. Amidst this situation, a phenomenon also emerged where some US developers turned their eyes to Chinese AI models to avoid regulatory uncertainties.

Even amid these trends, investments in technological innovation startups continued steadily. Offshore plant process control and AI technology-based startup JJ&Companies attracted a Series A investment of 3 billion won, and QUAD, which develops superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors, received a Pre-Series A investment of 2.1 billion won from Bluepoint Partners and others.

■ M&A, Restructuring, or Other Notable Deals

Movements toward business expansion through small and medium-sized M&As were also captured. KOSDAQ-listed company Gencurix absorbed and merged with liquid biopsy-based bio-venture Genopics for 1.7 billion won to strengthen its R&D capabilities and enhance market competitiveness. NICE Health Device Corporation also proceeded with an M&A worth 1.9 billion won.

There are also cases showing successful turnarounds after acquisitions by private equity funds (PEFs). Kukje Electric saw its actual sales increase by 54% and operating profit by 57% after its acquisition and merger by Anchor Equity Partners (Anchor PE), raising expectations for an increase in corporate value. Leading domestic floral startup Kukka (KUKKA) surpassed 10 billion won in annual sales for the first time since its founding and is aiming to turn a profit through business expansion in the online flower market.

On the other hand, there was also news showcasing the harsh reality of the market. Three Chairs, which has operated the knowledge subscription service 'Book Journalism', failed to overcome its accumulated deficits and liquidity crisis and was declared bankrupt after 12 years. In addition, Versework attracted 5.1 billion won in investment from Altos Ventures and others, raising expectations for growth in the Roblox UGC game market, while Geogrid with its smart water purification solutions, and Stress Solution in the digital mental health sector, each attracted investments to seek growth.

[Epoch Point]

This week's VC and M&A market clearly demonstrated a concentration of massive capital investments in the core engines of AI and semiconductors. Major companies continued to make enormous investments based on future growth potential, but the growing pains in the AI market and the news of bankruptcies of some companies serve as a warning sign about the rapidly changing market environment. Amidst this polarization, investors and companies appear to need more careful strategy formulation.