https://en.wowtale.net/2025/05/26/231179/

This interview with the founder of the Korean startup HOW3 discusses their focus on creating virtual music characters for the global digital content market. The article highlights the growing success of virtual artists in Korea, referencing popular groups like ISEGYE IDOL and PLAVE, and notes the more established market in Japan with companies like Hololive and Nijisanji. HOW3 aims to stand out by creating integrated content that combines music, characters, and stories, mitigating the high initial costs and risks associated with traditional and virtual artist production. The company targets global Gen Z fans with its narrative-driven content and plans to launch music and animations soon, emphasizing their unique approach to fan engagement through interactive elements and diverse revenue streams beyond just performances.

[Korean Startup Interview] How HOYA LAB is Tackling Gene Therapy’s Toughest Problem with AI

This interview with the founder of HOYA LAB discusses the company's approach to solving a major hurdle in gene therapy development: minimizing off-target effects. These unintended edits can cause severe side effects, and HOYA LAB addresses this by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with biotechnology to design more precise gene-editing tools. The company aims to provide optimized guide RNAs to other biotech firms, reducing the time and cost of developing therapies for various genetic disorders, starting with AIDS, ocular diseases, and muscle disorders. HOYA LAB believes its bio-AI approach, which combines expertise in both fields, offers a significant competitive advantage in this rapidly evolving market.

https://en.wowtale.net/2024/07/08/79304/

This episode introduces Omnicoat, a South Korean startup focused on developing dry laser printing technology. The company's innovation addresses the limitations of traditional wet coating processes used for color-coating steel sheets and manufacturing secondary battery electrodes. By utilizing solid powder toner and electrostatics, Omnicoat aims to achieve greater precision, higher productivity, and reduced environmental impact in these industries. Their technology enables intricate, detailed images on metal and glass surfaces and offers a potential improvement in the production of secondary battery electrodes.

https://en.wowtale.net/2025/05/19/231108/

This interview with Peptirna Therapeutics discusses their development of a peptide-based delivery platform for siRNA (small interfering RNA) therapies. The company aims to overcome limitations of existing delivery methods, such as Lipid Nanoparticles (LNPs) and GalNAc, which struggle with delivering drugs to non-liver tissues and endosomal escape within cells. Peptirna's platform utilizes positively charged peptides that bind to negatively charged siRNA, forming nanoparticles for effective cell entry and delivery, and they are also leveraging this technology for a short-term cosmetic ingredient delivery business. The article highlights the company's potential to address unmet needs in the siRNA market and its goal of technology transfer or acquisition by larger pharmaceutical or biotech firms.

https://en.wowtale.net/2025/05/25/231171/

This episode provides a summary of Korean startup news from May 19th to May 25th, 2025, focusing on venture capital investment and startup interviews. It highlights a significant increase in South Korea's venture investment during the first quarter of 2025, largely fueled by advancements in AI and biotech. Furthermore, the document features exclusive interviews with Korean startups aiming for global expansion, showcasing their innovative solutions in various sectors.

https://en.wowtale.net/2025/02/01/229182/

This interview with SpeedFloor's leadership details how their startup is transforming logistics operations with smart conveyor technology by addressing the inefficiencies and high costs associated with the manual loading and unloading of goods. Their innovative system, integrated into trucks, enables automated loading and unloading, significantly increasing efficiency and aiming to shift the industry from labor-intensive processes towards a technology-driven automated model. The company's dual business model of manufacturing and operating its systems, alongside a focus on serving small and medium-sized businesses, positions them to capitalize on the growing demand for logistics automation and potentially integrate with future autonomous transport.

https://en.wowtale.net/2025/05/18/231064/

 "K-Startup Weekly News" provides a snapshot of the vibrant South Korean startup landscape during the week of May 12th to 18th, 2025. It highlights several funding announcements, showcasing investment in areas like AI optimization, blockchain technology, and AI-driven manufacturing and logistics. Additionally, the news covers a significant South Korean government initiative aimed at boosting deep-tech startups and features interviews with founders focusing on global expansion and innovative solutions.

https://en.wowtale.net/2025/05/16/231048/

This interview highlights the innovative startup MAZE, which is developing a Vision AI solution called "Live Review" to address the challenge of gathering valuable data in offline spaces. While online data collection is dominated by large tech companies, MAZE aims to quantify customer behavior and preferences in physical environments like pop-up stores and exhibitions without storing video footage. By converting features and actions into numerical data in real-time, MAZE offers businesses a more affordable and efficient way to understand their customers and improve marketing efforts compared to traditional CCTV analysis. The company, led by a founder with a strong background in quantifying complex systems, has achieved early success and is seeking further funding to lead the global offline CRM market.

https://en.wowtale.net/2025/05/15/231035/

This source profiles PoSSol Innotech, a South Korean startup founded by a former POSCO researcher to combat steel corrosion, particularly galvanic corrosion occurring between different metal fasteners and high-corrosion-resistant steel plates. The company has developed a unique PoSSEN coating technology that significantly reduces potential difference, preventing rust and extending the lifespan of steel structures in various environments, including challenging marine settings. Their innovative coating also boasts environmental benefits with a lower curing temperature and addresses the issue of hydrogen embrittlement in high-strength bolts. PoSSol Innotech is seeking investment to expand its reach in the global market for anti-corrosion solutions.

Period : 28 APR., 2025 ~ 11 MAY., 2025

⁠https://en.wowtale.net/2025/05/11/231005/

This weekly news digest provides a snapshot of the Korean startup ecosystem from April 28th to May 11th, 2025, focusing on recent funding rounds and startup interviews. A major highlight is Zigbang's significant $44 million raise to advance proptech and smart home technologies. The report also details investments secured by various companies across diverse sectors like EV charging, dental tech, pet healthcare, and AI solutions, alongside features on startups like Starpickers and CarLab that are pursuing global expansion. Overall, it offers insights into the vibrant and dynamic landscape of Korean innovation and investment.