1978 Top startups in South Korea for January 2025

We rank Kakao Pay, OP.GG and O-House in South Korea along with 1975 other startups based on an algorithm that scores startups based on total investment, employee count, and quarterly website traffic. South Korea ranks #20 globally and #2 in East Asia.

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Top Unicorn Startups in South Korea for 2025

Thirteen startups have achieved unicorn status by exceeding USD 1 billion in valuation. Collectively, the top three unicorns in South Korea have raised more than USD 13.1B.
SB Score:803

Discover a captivating online fashion platform offering a one-stop destination for all your style needs. Immerse yourself in the world of fashion with curated collections, trend reports, and shopping guides. Explore, shop, and stay on top of the latest trends effortlessly.

Industry:
Ecommerce & Retail
Subindustry:
Ecommerce

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2nd

Toss
SB Score:787

Toss is a South Korea-based mobile financial service platform operated by fintech startup Viva Republica. Its application offers peer-to-peer money transfers, manages credit scores and bank accounts, access loan and insurance plans, split bill options, QR payment and other similar services that enable users to manage their finance. Toss was established in 2011 by Seunggun Lee in Seoul, Seoul-t'ukpyolsi.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Apps

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SB Score:749

Kurly is a convenient online platform for ordering food and managing logistics. Users can easily browse and order meals from a variety of restaurants, all while enjoying efficient delivery services.

Industry:
Foodtech
Subindustry:
Online Food Ordering

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Total amount:13

Best Startups in South Korea for 2025

SB Score:764

Kakao Pay, a fintech arm of Kakao, offers a range of financial services including over-counter payments, peer-to-peer transactions, bill payment, and web banking. It plans to expand its offerings to include loans and financing, making it a one-stop solution for users' financial needs.

Industry:
Fintech
Subindustry:
Financial Services

City Rank (Jeju-do)

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SB Score:757

OP.GG offers in-depth analytics and tools for gamers to track and improve their performance in online games. From detailed stats to personalized recommendations, OP.GG helps players level up their skills and dominate the competition.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Software

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SB Score:729

O-House is a one-stop platform for homeowners and design enthusiasts, offering inspiration, shopping, and a community for all things home living and decoration.

Industry:
Ecommerce & Retail
Subindustry:
Ecommerce

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SB Score:704

KBank Co Ltd, established on January 7, 2016, in Seoul, South Korea, offers a range of banking services, including accepting deposits and providing loans to retail customers, ensuring accessible financial solutions tailored to meet the needs of its clientele.

Industry:
Fintech
Subindustry:
Financial Services

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SB Score:691

Carrots Market is a local second-hand app connecting nearby residents for direct buying and selling. Find great deals on preloved items in your community with ease.

Industry:
Social & Leisure
Subindustry:
Communities

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SB Score:688

SK Hynix is a top producer of semiconductors like DRAM, NAND flash, and System IC with CMOS Image Sensors. They lead the global market in semiconductor manufacturing.

Industry:
Hardware & IoT
Subindustry:
Manufacturing

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SB Score:681

Buzzvil, a Seoul-based startup founded in 2012, revolutionizes advertising by connecting brands with consumers through smartphone lockscreens. With over 2 million users in South Korea and the #1 lockscreen platform in Japan, Buzzvil's Honeyscreen and Lockjoy apps offer a natural and effective advertising experience.

Industry:
Marketing & Sales
Subindustry:
Adtech

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SB Score:662

KREAM is a resale marketplace for authenticated limited-edition sneakers and streetwear. Utilizing a bid-ask model with dynamic pricing, it ensures secure trading through a rigorous verification process, allowing buyers and sellers to confidently exchange coveted releases.

Industry:
Ecommerce & Retail
Subindustry:
Ecommerce & Retail-Other

City Rank (Ulsan)

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SB Score:654

Kakao Mobility offers innovative online taxi-hailing and parking solutions through its brands, including Kakao Taxi, Kakao Driver, and Kakao Navi. With a focus on enhancing transportation convenience, Kakao Mobility connects users seamlessly to reliable services tailored for modern urban living.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
SaaS

City Rank (Seongnam-si)

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SB Score:633

POSTYPE is an open marketplace for digital content, enabling anyone to buy and sell a diverse range of digital products. With a user-friendly platform, creators can showcase their work while buyers can easily discover and purchase unique content tailored to their needs.

Industry:
Ecommerce & Retail
Subindustry:
Ecommerce & Retail-Other

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Total amount:1978

Top 700 Software & Data Startups in South Korea for 2025

The top three Software & Data startups in South Korea have raised more than USD 1.24B. South Korea ranks #22 globally for the Software & Data industry.
SB Score:757

OP.GG offers in-depth analytics and tools for gamers to track and improve their performance in online games. From detailed stats to personalized recommendations, OP.GG helps players level up their skills and dominate the competition.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Software

City Rank (Seoul)

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SB Score:654

Kakao Mobility offers innovative online taxi-hailing and parking solutions through its brands, including Kakao Taxi, Kakao Driver, and Kakao Navi. With a focus on enhancing transportation convenience, Kakao Mobility connects users seamlessly to reliable services tailored for modern urban living.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
SaaS

City Rank (Seongnam-si)

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SB Score:628

Toss Bank is an innovative internet banking service in Korea, dedicated to transforming the financial landscape. By prioritizing user experience and technological advancements, it provides customers with seamless banking solutions that enhance everyday financial management and empower users to achieve their financial goals effortlessly.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
SaaS

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Total amount:700

Top 166 Hardware & IoT Startups in South Korea for 2025

The top three Hardware & IoT startups in South Korea have raised more than USD 753M. South Korea ranks #15 globally for the Hardware & IoT industry.
SB Score:688

SK Hynix is a top producer of semiconductors like DRAM, NAND flash, and System IC with CMOS Image Sensors. They lead the global market in semiconductor manufacturing.

Industry:
Hardware & IoT
Subindustry:
Manufacturing

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SB Score:510

Gen.G is the premier esports organization bridging the gap between the U.S. and Asia. They lead the industry by connecting gamers, fans, and brands across continents through innovative partnerships and competitions.

Industry:
Hardware & IoT
Subindustry:
Hardware

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SB Score:487

Toss Lab's platform collaborates and offers communication tools with practical capabilities like group messaging, task and project management, file searching, and archiving services, allowing users to communicate and handle projects. The company's platform JANDI, is a group-oriented messaging platform with an integrated suite of collaboration tools that is tailor-made for workplaces. It also offers messaging and group chats. Toss Lab was founded on June 16, 2014 by Daehyun Kim and Daniel Chan and is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea with offices in Taiwan, Dubai, Malaysia, and Japan.

Industry:
Hardware & IoT
Subindustry:
Consumer Electronics

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Total amount:166

Top 189 Social & Leisure Startups in South Korea for 2025

The top three Social & Leisure startups in South Korea have raised more than USD 587M. South Korea ranks #13 globally for the Social & Leisure industry.
SB Score:691

Carrots Market is a local second-hand app connecting nearby residents for direct buying and selling. Find great deals on preloved items in your community with ease.

Industry:
Social & Leisure
Subindustry:
Communities

City Rank (Seoul)

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SB Score:608

Tappytoon is a leading digital comics platform with over 3 million global readers. Offering English, French, and German content, Tappytoon is the go-to destination for daily comic updates, providing an engaging and diverse reading experience for fans worldwide.

Industry:
Social & Leisure
Subindustry:
Entertainment

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SB Score:599

Lezhin Entertainment provides Lezhin Comics, a webtoon service for adult readers. Enjoy online manga with mature content on this Korean startup's platform.

Industry:
Social & Leisure
Subindustry:
Entertainment

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Total amount:189

Most Funded Startups in South Korea for 2025

The top three most funded startups in South Korea have raised total funding of more than USD 3.14B. Kbank has 0.20% more funding than 42dot.
SB Score:704

KBank Co Ltd, established on January 7, 2016, in Seoul, South Korea, offers a range of banking services, including accepting deposits and providing loans to retail customers, ensuring accessible financial solutions tailored to meet the needs of its clientele.

Industry:
Fintech
Subindustry:
Financial Services

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SB Score:533

42dot is revolutionizing mobility with UMOS, leading the way in seamless and self-driving transportation services.

Industry:
Transportation
Subindustry:
Automotive

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SB Score:628

Toss Bank is an innovative internet banking service in Korea, dedicated to transforming the financial landscape. By prioritizing user experience and technological advancements, it provides customers with seamless banking solutions that enhance everyday financial management and empower users to achieve their financial goals effortlessly.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
SaaS

City Rank (Seoul)

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Total amount:1978

Top Hiring Startups in South Korea by Employee Number

The top three hiring startups in South Korea have an median employee size that is between [10001+]
SB Score:688

SK Hynix is a top producer of semiconductors like DRAM, NAND flash, and System IC with CMOS Image Sensors. They lead the global market in semiconductor manufacturing.

Industry:
Hardware & IoT
Subindustry:
Manufacturing

City Rank (Seoul)

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SB Score:596

Coupang, a leading eCommerce company in Asia, offers a wide range of products and services for online shoppers. With a focus on convenience and quality, Coupang provides a seamless shopping experience for customers across the region.

Industry:
Marketing & Sales
Subindustry:
Marketing & Sales-Other

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SB Score:569

Established in 2013 as a subsidiary of LINE Corporation, LINE Plus Corporation in South Korea drives global business development with a diverse team of 50 nationalities. Programmers, designers, marketers, sales personnel, and PR managers collaborate to support LINE's growth worldwide.

Industry:
Software & Data
Subindustry:
Enterprise Technology

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SB Score:499

As a pioneer in the Korean automobile industry, Hyundai Motor Company has established itself as a global automobile manufacturer. We are leading the future mobility industry based on the world's first mass-produced hydrogen car, autonomous driving and connectivity technologies.

Industry:
Transportation
Subindustry:
Automotive

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Total amount:1978

Explore the Startup Ecosystem of South Korea

Population

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51.6 Million

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Regional Rank

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2nd

1

Global Rank

(WorldWide)

20th

0

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