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D.CAMP, South Korea’s startup growth partner operated by the Banks Foundation for Young Entrepreneurs, has selected 10 deep-tech startups for the eighth cohort of its scale-up program “D.CAMP Batch.” The selected companies span advanced technology sectors including space and aerospace, defense, robotics, energy, semiconductors, healthcare, and eco-friendly materials. The cohort includes Leo Space, BEES, Seoul Dynamics, StepLab, Anabatic Semi, WithRobot, Insella Solution, JJ&Companies, Catech H, and Giftshed. Five venture capital firms specializing in deep tech—A Ventures, IM Investment Partners, InterValue Partners, L&S Venture Capital, and SJ Investment Partners—participated as partners in the selection and investment review process. D.CAMP will provide customized scale-up support over 12 months, beginning with an assessment of each company’s growth trajectory. Applications for Batch 9, targeting IT services and solutions startups, are open until October 14.
Key Elements
D.CAMP (Banks Foundation for Young Entrepreneurs), a startup growth partner in South Korea, has selected 10 deep-tech startups in space and aerospace, defense, robotics, and semiconductors for a 12-month scale-up support program.
D.CAMP announced on the 16th that it has selected 10 deep-tech startups for the eighth cohort of its scale-up program “D.CAMP Batch.” This cohort features companies across advanced technology fields ranging from space and aerospace to defense, robotics, energy, semiconductors, healthcare, and eco-friendly materials. The selected companies are Leo Space, BEES, Seoul Dynamics, StepLab, Anabatic Semi, WithRobot, Insella Solution, JJ&Companies, Catech H, and Giftshed.
The selected companies’ technology domains span a wide range, from low-Earth orbit satellite optics and communications to micro nuclear reactors, autonomous work robots, BMS semiconductors, and liquid biopsy. Leo Space, a space optics and optical communications specialist, develops optical payloads and laser communication terminals (LCT) for small and micro low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The company is expanding its solutions business covering both space observation and data transmission by combining high-resolution Earth observation optical payloads with high-speed data transfer technology for satellite-to-satellite and ground-to-satellite links.
BEES, an energy deep-tech company, is developing the micro nuclear reactor “BeSMART.” Leveraging expertise in nuclear safety and regulation, the company is advancing reactor design technology and incorporating new technologies such as remote autonomous operation and digital twins to pursue entry into distributed power markets including data centers, remote and island regions, and defense applications.
Seoul Dynamics develops autonomous work mobility robots that perform heavy-duty tasks at industrial sites based on physical AI. By combining AI that learns from real work data with high-power mobility and modular work equipment, the company is realizing heavy-equipment-class robots that learn and execute work methods on their own, targeting large-scale unstructured sites such as shipbuilding, construction, and logistics where automation has traditionally been difficult.
StepLab is a space systems specialist that develops space mechanisms including separation, ejection, and deployment systems required for satellite launch and operation. Based on launch vibration reduction technology, the company develops and manufactures space mechanism products and is expanding its business into satellite payloads such as optical, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and signals intelligence (SIGINT), as well as micro-satellite system integration.
Anabatic Semi, a fabless semiconductor startup, develops semiconductors for battery management systems (BMS) used in electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS). Starting with analog front-end (AFE) chips that precisely measure battery cell conditions, the company is expanding its product lineup to include wireless communication chips for wireless BMS and high-performance application processors (AP), building a total BMS semiconductor solution.
WithRobot, an AI-based industrial robot solutions company, supports safety management at industrial sites where human access is difficult, such as steel mills, semiconductor factories, and power plants. By combining mobile and fixed data collection robots with its proprietary edge AI boards and sensor fusion technology, the company detects abnormal conditions such as fires, leaks, and gas emissions in real time to help prevent accidents.
Insella Solution is an optical control platform company that precisely controls laser beams used in space and defense applications. The company has commercialized fast steering mirrors (FSM) that adjust laser direction with ultra-precision and high speed, and is expanding its business into pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) platforms required for inter-satellite optical communications.
JJ&Companies, a marine technology startup, develops integrated control systems for eco-friendly alternative fuel supply equipment on ships, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), based on artificial intelligence and process control technology. Building on solutions that safely and precisely control complex gas fuel supply processes aboard ships, the company is driving digitalization of ship control systems from fuel efficiency management to equipment fault diagnosis and remote maintenance.
Catech H is an eco-friendly carbon material recycling company that recovers carbon fiber from waste carbon fiber composite materials and produces high-quality recycled carbon fiber. The company has commercialized a low-temperature solvolysis process operating below 100°C, reducing energy consumption compared to conventional processes, and has built a circular carbon material platform that processes recycled carbon fiber into powder, short fiber, and composite materials for supply to various industries including automotive, aerospace, battery, and shipbuilding. Giftshed is a liquid biopsy RNA analysis data platform company that analyzes cancer patients’ blood to support treatment decision-making.
Five VC Partners Jointly Conduct Selection and Investment Review
Five venture capital firms specializing in deep tech—A Ventures, IM Investment Partners, InterValue Partners, L&S Venture Capital, and SJ Investment Partners—participated as partners in this batch. These VCs jointly conducted the startup selection and investment review process.
D.CAMP plans to provide customized scale-up support over the next 12 months, beginning with an assessment of each selected company’s growth direction. Given that deep-tech fields require a long runway from technology development to commercialization, the initiative aims to accelerate investment attraction and market entry for selected companies through collaboration with specialized VCs.
Batch 9 Recruiting in IT Services and Solutions
Following Batch 8, D.CAMP is recruiting startups in the IT services and solutions sector for Batch 9. The application period runs until October 14, and applications can be submitted through D.CAMP’s official website.
D.CAMP Batch is a scale-up program designed to help early-stage startups enter a full-fledged growth trajectory. The focus of Batch 8 on deep tech aligns with market trends where technology-based startups are playing an increasingly important role in advanced industries such as space, defense, robotics, and semiconductors. Most of the selected companies have already entered product development or commercialization stages based on their proprietary technologies, and are expected to pursue additional investment and revenue growth through the 12-month support period.
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