[Edaily Marketin Reporter Soyoung Park ] This week (October 6–8), startups across various sectors—including defense, biotech, and artificial intelligence (AI) image-generation platforms—secured investments from venture capital (VC) firms and accelerators (ACs).

In particular, “Digitron,” a manufacturer of defense components and modules, drew attention by successfully securing 10 billion won in pre-IPO funding ahead of its planned KOSDAQ listing in the second half of next year. The company plans to use the funds raised to expand its production facilities and cover operating expenses.

"Digitron," a company specializing in defense components and modules

Digitron,

a company specializing

in defense

components and modules

, has secured a 10 billion won pre-IPO investment. Existing investor SBI Investment participated as a follow-on investor. IBK Venture Investment, Newmain Capital, Cornerstone Investment Partners, Bestian Partners, and HN Ventures joined as new investors.

Using this investment as a springboard, Digitron plans to pursue a KOSDAQ listing in the second half of next year. The company has selected NH Investment & Securities as its lead underwriter. It is currently discussing the timing of the preliminary listing review application with the underwriter.

Digitron possesses high-performance, ultra-precise radio frequency (RF) and real-time embedded signal processing technologies. Based on these technologies, the company develops and supplies components used in various guided weapon systems, including key components for the “Cheongung-II” surface-to-air guided missile system, which is currently being exported to the Middle East.

‘Embrix’ Develops Next-Generation In-Vivo Cancer Treatment Technology

Embrix, a biotech startup developing technology to convert immune cells into therapeutic cells within the body, has completed an 8 billion won Series B funding round. This round was led by Intervest. Participants included Korea Investment Partners, Seoul National University Technology Holdings, iGene, Korea Omega Investment & Finance, and LifeCore Partners. Seoul National University Technology Holdings determined that Embrix possesses platform competitiveness that extends beyond a single drug to various diseases.

Embrix was founded by faculty members from Seoul National University and Sungkyunkwan University, along with research and manufacturing experts from global pharmaceutical companies. The company is developing an “in vivo CAR-T” therapy that directly converts immune cells within a patient’s body into therapeutic cells. In addition, the company has developed “Navibody,” its proprietary platform for delivering therapeutic agents to cells. This method converts immune cells within the body directly into therapeutic cells via injection, without the need for separate in vitro cell processing.

Long-Form AI Video Generation 'The Mantastory'

The Mantastory, which develops a Korean-style AI video generation engine for long-form commercial videos, has secured seed funding from Series Ventures. Series Ventures recognized The Mantastory as a team capable of resolving copyright and quality issues—problems that generic tools cannot solve—using 25 years of production know-how and proprietary AI technology. They also saw significant potential for the company to establish a Korean standard in the long-form AI video market.

The Mantastory has independently developed its AI video generation engine, “theROAD.” It enables a small team to perform VFX work that previously required dozens of people working for several months. The company utilizes a pipeline that progresses from script input to AI image generation, video sequence stitching, and final quality control.

The Manta Story possesses 25 years of production expertise, having contributed to the VFX work for films such as “Train to Busan,” “Peninsula,” and “Jeong-i.” It also holds seven patents related to AI and digital twins. With the Busan AI Tech Studio as its base, the company has established an industry-academia partnership with Dongseo University to cultivate local talent and integrate them into production. The company aims to expand its AI production process—already proven in short-form video—to long-form content such as movies and TV dramas.