Kakao mobile platform
Scope
Date
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Biotech
Seegene develops one-stop COVID-19 testing lab on wheels; eyes MENA expansion
South Korea-based diagnostic kit maker Seegene Inc. has developed a mobile diagnostic and testing lab that offers a one-stop solution for COVID-19 t...
Jun 25, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Future mobility
Hyundai eyes smart mobility with Boston Dynamics acquisition
Hyundai Motor Co. said on Monday it is shifting its business focus toward smart mobility from brick-and-mortar carmaking following its acquisition l...
Jun 21, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Entertainment
DearU strives to catch up with leading K-pop fan platform Weverse
Imagine getting this text from your favorite K-pop group member: “Hey, what did you eat for lunch? Can’t wait to see you at the concert ...
Jun 17, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Electric vehicles
Kia, Uber form electric mobility partnership in Europe
South Korea’s second-largest automaker Kia Corp. has forged a partnership with Uber Technologies Inc. to supply electric vehicles in Europe fo...
Jun 16, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Markets
Kakao becomes 3rd most valuable company in Korea
Kakao Corp. is now the third most valuable company in Korea, after Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc.Kakao’s market cap on June 15 surp...
Jun 15, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Healthcare
KT makes another step beyond telecom, enters digital therapy sector
The telecom companies in South Korea, one after another, are taking bold steps outside their traditional turf of mobile business. They are eng...
Jun 15, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Entertainment
K-pop fan engagement platform DearU eyes H2 listing
South Korea-based fan platform DearU Co. has filed a preliminary application to the Korea Exchange with plans for a trading debut on the country&rsq...
Jun 14, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Webtoons
Naver vs. Kakao: Global webtoon duel extends into Southeast Asia
The global webtoon battleground between South Korea's leading platforms Naver Corp. and Kakao Corp. has expanded into Southeast Asia with each compa...
Jun 14, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Banking & Finance
Hana Financial partners with Line to launch digital bank in Indonesia
Naver Corp.’s Japan-based messaging app affiliate Line Corp. is rapidly expanding its digital banking business in Asian countries outside Kore...
Jun 13, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Insurance
Kakao enters insurance sector for synergy with its online platforms
Kakao Corp.’s ambition to become an insurer is gradually becoming a reality. The platform giant’s application to start an insurance busi...
Jun 11, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Korean startups
FastFive secures near $30 mn; pushes to become office solutions provider
South Korea's co-working space provider FastFive Co. announced on June 11 that it has raised 30 billion won ($27 million) from seven investors, brin...
Jun 11, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Banking & Finance
Toss Bank to compete with K Bank, Kakao Bank from September
Toss Bank in September will enter the race of internet-only banks in South Korea as the third player, competing against K Bank and Kakao Bank. Toss ...
Jun 11, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Venture capital
NPS joins in TPG-led $125 mn funding for Kakao Mobility
The National Pension Service has committed $100 million to a TPG consortium that recently raised $116.8 million to invest in Kakao Mobility Co., Sou...
Jun 10, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Rights offerings
Hanwha Systems’ $1 bn rights offer oversubscribed; investors to book gains
South Korea’s Hanwha Systems Co. is set for a successful rights offering as the defense and air mobility unit of Hanwha Group has garnered str...
Jun 07, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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E-commerce
Kakao's fresh e-commerce strategy puts Naver, Coupang on guard
South Korea’s mobile platform Kakao Corp. is set to shake up the country's e-commerce market in the second half of the year with the launch of...
Jun 07, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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E-commerce
Naver to challenge Amazon with launch of Smart Store platform in Spain
South Korea’s top online portal operator Naver Corp. is taking its online shopping platform Smart Store to Spain to support small merchants in...
Jun 06, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Fintech
KDB bets big on fintech platform Toss ahead of 2023 IPO
The Korea Development Bank (KDB) has decided to invest 80 billion won ($72 million) in the fintech startup Toss via a rights offering. This marks th...
Jun 04, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Mobile networks
Samsung unveils low-end 5G phone to rival China’s cheap models
Samsung Electronics Co. on Friday launched a low-end 5G smartphone in overseas markets amid intensified price competition initiated by Chinese mobil...
Jun 04, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Enterprise value
Kakao just behind rival Naver in market cap, may overtake soon
South Korean mobile platform giant Kakao Corp.’s enterprise value is rising backed by its strong business performance, threatening to overtake...
Jun 03, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Media
Naver to gain toehold in OTT market via CJ ENM
South Korea's Naver Corp. is expanding its footprint into the over-the-top (OTT) media service market by acquiring a stake in CJ ENM Co.'s OTT platf...
Jun 02, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Chief Executives
Com2uS, Gamevil Chairman Song Byung-joon: Mobile game pioneer, sports enthusiast
About eight years ago on Oct. 5, 2013, Song Byung-joon, the then-chief executive of South Korean mobile game developer Gamevil Inc., visited the off...
Jun 02, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Mergers & Acquisitions
SM Entertainment emerges as next flashpoint for Kakao, Naver rivalry
As SM Entertainment Co., the label behind the global K-pop phenomenon, is up for grabs in the M&A market, the battle heats up between the countr...
Jun 01, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Korean startups
Luxury goods platform MUST'IT raises over $10 mn from VC firms
South Korea-based luxury goods platform MUST'IT has secured 13 billion won ($11.7 million) in a bridge round from venture capital firms Kakao Invest...
May 31, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Korean startups
K-pop content platforms team up to take lead in community market
Platform operators targeting global K-pop fans are mired in fierce competition as companies team up to vie for the lead in the fan community platfor...
May 31, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Deals
Naver, CJ ENM join forces to acquire Korea's No.3 web novel platform
South Korea’s platform giant Naver Corp. has joined forces with CJ Group to acquire the country's leading web novel platform Munpia Inc. in a ...
May 28, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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OTT streaming
Kakao joins OTT race with INISOFT acquisition
Kakao Corp. is entering the over-the-top (OTT) streaming market. According to investment banking sources on May 27, Kakao’s entertainment and ...
May 27, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Webtoons
Concurrent deal closings by Kakao, Naver: Mere coincidence?
Early this month, when Anchor Equity Partners was in intense negotiations with Kakao Corp. over the terms of its 600 billion won ($530 million) inve...
May 24, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Korean startups
Fintech platform Toss seeks $180 mn in fresh funding
South Korean fintech startup Toss is seeking to raise 200 billion won ($177 million) in fresh funding, which would almost treble its valuation to 8 ...
May 21, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Korean startups
Fashion platform Ably looks to raise over $20 mn
South Korea-based Ably Corporation, the operator of fashion platform Ably, is seeking to raise around 40 billion won ($35.3 million), attracting a p...
May 20, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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Webtoons
Kakao Japan secures over $500 mn from Anchor Equity; valuation tops $7 bn
Kakao Corp.’s Japanese unit is set to secure 600 billion won ($530 million) from South Korea-based private equity firm Anchor Equity Partners....
May 20, 2021 (Gmt+09:00)
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