South Korean venture capital market trends

The South Korean venture capital market is experiencing a recovery, characterized by a significant increase in investment volumes and a strategic shift toward deep tech sectors. According to a KPMG report, new venture investment rose to 13.6 trillion won in 2025, with the first half of 2026 seeing a 56.2% year-on-year increase to 8.8 trillion won. This growth is largely driven by high-tech industries, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and biotechnology.

Investment activity is increasingly focused on companies demonstrating profitability and growth potential. Large-scale pre-IPO investments have been noted in firms such as Rebellions and FuriosaAI. While Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) are becoming a more prominent exit strategy for venture capitalists, regulatory scrutiny has increased, with many companies facing challenges regarding revenue stability and profitability during the listing process.

In response to these trends, innovation hubs and venture firms are intensifying support for early-stage startups. Recent initiatives, such as the ‘BiiG WAVE’ IR session and Big Move Ventures’ recruitment efforts, specifically target the bio-healthcare, medical AI, and semiconductor fields. Additionally, industry leaders are advocating for policy reforms, including changes to the venture business certification system and the expansion of stock-based compensation tools to foster sustainable growth and talent acquisition.