[Weekly M&A] Domestic VC/M&A Market Vitalized by 400 Billion Won Mega Deal and Strategic Corporate Investments

[Weekly Pitch: VC & M&A] This is News Epoch's key briefing on venture investments and M&As for this week. (July 24, 2026 ~ July 31, 2026)

This week, the domestic venture investment and M&A market garnered attention as large-scale deals and strategic investments by major companies actively unfolded. In particular, a multi-hundred billion won M&A of a semiconductor manufacturing equipment company and selective investments in promising sectors continued. Moves by large corporations to secure new growth engines also injected vitality into the market. Technology-based startups with high future growth potential in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and space technology attracted significant investments.

■ Large-scale M&A and Strategic Investments Active, Including a 400 Billion Won Big Deal

In the domestic M&A market this week, the semiconductor manufacturing equipment company SSP captured market attention as it was acquired by Keystone Partners for 400 billion won. This is interpreted as a strategic investment that highly evaluated the growth potential along with the importance of the semiconductor industry. In addition, Kolon Mobility Group strengthened its presence in the used car market. It acquired the used car sales company Autohub Selcar for 61.9 billion won and invested 7.7 billion won in Handle, the operator of the used car e-commerce platform 'Carmerce,' embarking on the expansion of related businesses. Logistics platform company Techtaka attracted 18 billion won in follow-on investments from Naver, Altos Ventures, and others, accelerating the advancement of its global integrated logistics platform, 'Argo'.

Additionally, companies that succeeded in large-scale fundraising at the Pre-IPO stage stood out. Space components company MID secured 15.7 billion won in Series A funding through DSC Investment, Korea Development Bank, and others, while Kuoca Skin, which operates the fragrance brand Kuoca, attracted 12 billion won. Semiconductor ceramic components and precision cleaning company CEK received 10.5 billion won from QED, and digital twin solutions company IAAN received a 10 billion won investment from JB Investment, proving their growth potential.

■ Investments Continue in Promising Sectors such as AI, Robotics, Semiconductors, and Energy

Investments in core technology areas expected to lead future markets also continued. In the field of artificial intelligence (AI), Heimdex attracted seed investment from Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, gaining recognition for its AI video search and utilization technology. AI creator developer UNX received seed investment from Kakao Ventures and Schmidt, while medical AI and medical LLM specialized company Medicustar secured Pre-B investment. AI precision medicine system developer PX Premed and AI-based meat quality analysis company Deep Plant are strengthening their technological competitiveness by being selected for the TIPS program. Robai, which develops AI robot control platforms, also received seed investment from Korea Investment Accelerator.

Active investments were also made in the sustainable energy and bio sectors. Greenda, which pursues a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) raw material business utilizing frying by-products, attracted 4.9 billion won in Pre-A investment from GS Ventures, Lotte Ventures, and others. Bioplastic materials startup Studio Dashimulgyeol received Pre-A investment from MYSC and Yuhan-Kimberly, while Lumora, which promotes solar power generation on idle factory land, also secured investments from Yuhan-Kimberly and MYSC. Nucleic acid separation and purification platform technology company Genohelix received 4.5 billion won in Series B investment, and marine bio materials company Plantner received Pre-A investment from multiple investors, including Coolidge Corner Investment and Hana Financial Group. Saefarm, which develops crop cultivation solutions combining satellite data and AI, also attracted Pre-A investment, showcasing the potential of space-agriculture technology convergence. Plant design automation software developer Snapscale received seed investment from KAIST Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Holding and others.

■ M&A Market Realignment and Continued Investments in Diverse Startups

In the M&A market this week, news of management rights sales of several companies was also reported. Facing a management crisis, Bucket Studio is being acquired by the US mortgage lender NMSI to seek listing maintenance and trade resumption. First-generation domestic cosmetics company Charmzone is expecting a smooth sale process as three or more prospective buyers participated in the conditional acquirer bidding. IMM Investment is pursuing the acquisition of a stake in Craver Corporation, a core subsidiary of Goodai Global. Meanwhile, Invites BioCore disclosed that it will suspend the operations of its biotechnology division to improve profitability and restructure its business mainly around its core CRO and pharmaceutical quality businesses.

In addition, Amorepacific Holdings invested in skin aesthetics medical device company Higher Corporation, and global fandom business company bemyfriends received an investment from Amuse. Personalized nutrition dispensing platform Brink attracted investment from CNT Tech, while startups in various fields, including Marine Bridge, which develops a GDS dedicated to marine passengers, lifestyle brand Butterum, comprehensive content IP planner Viewba, and 3D animation production company Saeropim, secured growth engines by attracting investments.

[Epoch Point]

This week's domestic VC and M&A market stood out for large-scale deals led by a 400 billion won semiconductor M&A, alongside strategic corporate investments. Active investments in high-tech fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and space technology, as well as startups related to sustainable energy and bio, demonstrated the market's anticipation for technological innovation. Selective investments in companies with high growth potential are expected to continue despite internal and external economic uncertainties.