- Korea's Special Zone Foundation hosts 'Deep Tech Global Venture Bridge' with 9 global investors

- Event links AI, semiconductor and robotics firms with investors for one-on-one consultations, North American pilots and commercialization partnerships

A representative of special zone company Eta Electronics holds a one-on-one investment meeting with Meru Ventures at the Deep Tech Global Venture Bridge event on Tuesday. [Korea Research and Development Special Zone Foundation]
A representative of special zone company Eta Electronics holds a one-on-one investment meeting with Meru Ventures at the Deep Tech Global Venture Bridge event on Tuesday. [Korea Research and Development Special Zone Foundation]

South Korean deep tech companies specializing in AI, semiconductors and robotics are making a concerted push into the North American market and seeking global investment.

The Korea Research and Development Special Zone Foundation held the Deep Tech Global Venture Bridge event Tuesday at SKY31 Convention in Lotte World Tower, Seoul, to help special zone companies attract investment and expand into North America.

The event was designed to give special zone companies direct access to global investors to explore funding opportunities and identify prospects for proof-of-concept pilots and commercialization partnerships in North America.

Nine global investment firms and 10 special zone companies in the AI, semiconductor and robotics sectors took part, conducting tailored one-on-one investment consultations.

Participating investors included Plug and Play, a globally recognized startup accelerator, alongside Mangusta Capital, New Energy Nexus, Gobi Partners, Meru Ventures and Antler.

Plug and Play operates in more than 50 countries and works with over 500 large corporate partners worldwide. Mangusta Capital specializes in technology validation and business expansion through its North American industrial network.

Among the South Korean participants were Deep Inspection, which develops AI-based automated facility safety inspection technology; CrossHub, a voice AI security and payment solutions company; and L&D Electronics, which produces aluminum nitride epitaxial wafers for power semiconductors.

Attendees pose for a group photo at the Deep Tech Global Venture Bridge event. [Korea Research and Development Special Zone Foundation]
Attendees pose for a group photo at the Deep Tech Global Venture Bridge event. [Korea Research and Development Special Zone Foundation]

Eta Electronics, which holds wireless power transmission technology for robots, and Coai, a developer of marine pollution collection and removal robots, also discussed overseas expansion prospects with global investors.

The foundation pre-screened each company's technological competitiveness and growth stage against investor interests to arrange targeted consultations. The focus extended beyond investment talks to cover North American proof-of-concept projects, business partner identification and overseas expansion.

The foundation said it plans to follow up on investor feedback and company-specific needs identified at the event, and will continue supporting North American pilots and commercialization partnerships.

"For deep tech companies to grow in the global market, it is not enough to have strong technology — they also need to meet investors who can recognize their growth potential," foundation President Jeong Hui-gwon said. "We will actively support special zone companies in broadening their cooperative networks with major global investors so they can achieve tangible results in attracting investment and entering overseas markets."


nbgkoo@heraldcorp.com