Startup funding: Metaverse platform Anipen; autonomous vehicle simulator Morai

South Korea-based metaverse platform Anipen has raised 8.5 billion won ($7.6 million) from VC firms, including Partners Investment and Union Investment Partners.

The proceeds will be used to develop a new metaverse platform that joins deep learning with immersive content technologies, such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).

Metaverse, combining “meta” and “universe,” is a shared virtual space that converges virtual and physical realms to bring imagination to life.

Anipen also operates AnibeaR, an AR video content production service that creates short videos of realistic AR characters in real space.

Going forward, the company plans to create a global metaverse platform powered by fun and entertaining technologies, according to Jeon Jae-woong, the chief executive of Anipen.

Morai Inc., an autonomous vehicle simulation startup, has secured 2 billion won from VC firm, Atinum Investment. The latest funding brings the company's total funding to date to around 4.4 billion won.

Founded in 2018, Morai was created by the autonomous vehicle research team from Korea's leading science and tech university, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).

Morai runs a simulation platform to test the safety of self-driving cars and to verify that they function as intended. It is the only company in Korea to have developed a simulation solution that includes core engines.

“Simulation is becoming increasingly important in line with growing anticipation for the commercialization of self-driving cars,” said Maeng Doo-jin, the vice president of Atinum Partners.


Write to Min-ki Koo at kook@hankyung.com
Danbee Lee edited this article.