Daily Startup and Investment Report — April 10, 2026

HEADLINE: Local Startup "Exodus" Accelerates as US-Based Founding Quadruples in Three Years

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Recent Funding and Investments

People & Technology Raises 15 Billion Won in SI Bridge Round Medical AI and DX smart hospital specialist People & Technology announced on the 8th that it secured a 15 billion won bridge investment, with Dong-A ST participating as a strategic investor (SI). The company plans to use the capital to aggressively expand its real-time patient monitoring services.

Dutch AI Agent Startup Wunderful Enters Local Market Wunderful, a Dutch startup specializing in AI agent solutions, has officially entered the local market. The company has raised a cumulative $286 million (approx. 424 billion won) from top-tier global VCs including Index Ventures and Vine Ventures.

GD Ventures Leads Seed Round for AgTech Startup 'Livita' Venture capital firm GD Ventures announced on the 8th that it invested in Livita, an AgTech startup developing smart farm solutions for open fields. Livita’s technology allows for smart farming without the need for traditional greenhouse infrastructure. Terms and specific funding amounts were not disclosed.

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VC and PE Market Trends

Samsung C&T Launches '2026 FutureScape' Startup Contest Samsung C&T’s construction division is calling for applicants for its open innovation program, "2026 FutureScape." The program targets startups in robotics, wellness, senior living, and home platforms, with winners receiving up to 50 million won in support.

Samboo Construction Signs 33 Billion Won Investment Deal Construction firm Samboo Construction is accelerating its court-led M&A process after signing a 33 billion won investment agreement with a Pareto Asset Management-led consortium. The deal has been approved by the Seoul Rehabilitation Court, and the down payment has been completed.

Startup "Exodus": U.S.-Based Founding Soars 4x in Three Years The "flip" phenomenon—where startups relocate their headquarters to the U.S.—is intensifying. Research shows that the number of startups founded directly in the U.S. has quadrupled over the last three years. Reasons cited include better access to investment, global market entry, top-tier talent acquisition, and a desire to bypass domestic regulatory hurdles. Startup Alliance released an issue paper on the 8th urging for better institutional support for these overseas-founded companies.

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Market Analysis and Macro Context

1. Global Biopharma VC Investment Continues to Surge In Q1 2026, the biopharma industry emerged as a primary focus for VC investors. Billions of dollars are flowing into AI-driven drug discovery and GLP-1 treatments, setting new investment records. This global trend is expected to heavily influence the local bio-healthcare investment landscape.

2. Shift Toward Profitability-Centric Investment The core theme for 2026 is "profit over growth." As funding benchmarks shift from simple revenue growth to actual profitability, founders are now under pressure to prove their sustainable business models. This shift is becoming the new standard for both local and international VC due diligence.

3. Storytelling Is Key to Attracting U.S. Investors For startups looking to enter the U.S. market or "flip" their operations, storytelling has become the most critical asset. Experts emphasize that since venture investment is a 5-to-10-year partnership, startups must craft consistent and compelling narratives to build long-term trust with U.S. investors.