Korea-Japan Jeju fund backs AI animation startup Saeropim in first deal
What's the deal? The Jeju Creative Economy Innovation CenterDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has made its first investment from the 10.1 billion won Korea-Japan Jeju Startup Fund, backing AI content tech startup Saeropim. The fund was jointly established with Seven Star PartnersDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →.
Who's behind the fund? Its backers include Jeju-born Korean residents in Japan, the Korea-Japan Enterprise Alliance, the Korea Venture Fund, Jeju Province, Kakao, Korea East-West PowerDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, and three Jeju universities.
The fund aims to support domestic startups while using investment networks in both countries to help them expand overseas.
Why Saeropim? The startup is building ASC, an AI-based animation production automation tool that combines generative AI with 3D production pipelines. It has validated the technology through work with character IP companies including Sanrio and Pinkfong Company.
What's the endgame? Saeropim is pushing global expansion centered on Japan and plans to broaden into platform and Software as a Service (SaaS) businesses. Seven Star Partners said it will help the company add clients in Japan and grow its SaaS platform.
Why now? The deal ties into Series J, a Japan-focused program the Jeju center launched in 2026 to support local acceleration and investment for startups entering the Japanese market.
The signal: Korean startup investment is increasingly designed around overseas expansion rather than capital alone. Content and AI companies, in particular, are using Japan and the wider Asian market as a base to scale globally.
Read more: VentureSquare
