kakaoventures blog

Blood sugar tracking changed how we eat. HRV is about to change everything else — from how we sleep and exercise to how we manage stress and recover.

AI-native founders are quietly circling gaming — the one vertical that survives every platform shift. Could it define the AI era too?

AI gets blamed for rising electricity bills and mass layoffs. But the data says otherwise. Here's what's really driving the change — and why precision matters.

A 90% clinical failure rate. Billions lost on the wrong bets. AI's promise in drug development isn't speed — it's better judgment. Here's where it actually moves the needle.

AI can search the web, but it can't read the data that matters most. Here's why real-time, transaction-based, and access-restricted data remain firmly in the hands of vertical platforms — and how that shapes the next competitive frontier.

The companies with the most resources are often the slowest to act on AI. Inside the structural forces reshaping the game development landscape — and why early-stage studios are already winning.

On some Korean job sites, 80% of workers don't speak the supervisor's language — and no software was built for that reality. Here's why multilingual workforce communication is becoming the defining blue-collar SaaS category, and what it looks like when someone finally solves it right.

AI agents are rewriting the rules of commerce UX — but not in the way most people expect. Here's what's actually changing, what isn't, and where the real startup opportunity lies.

Dating apps are hemorrhaging users and market cap. Here's why AI companions and interactive IP content are poised to capture what Tinder and Bumble couldn't: a generation that's done gambling on strangers.

Kakao Ventures breaks down what separates good founding teams from great ones — covering team density, talent magnetism, and the rising solo founder debate.

First purchase is rarely won on product merit alone. Research on variety-seeking behavior reveals how payment method, time of day, and display design can shift consumers toward unfamiliar options — and what that means for startup go-to-market strategy.

Four AI companies are fighting to own U.S. clinical workflows. We break down how Abridge, Doximity, OpenEvidence, and Epic are building moats — and which formula wins.

AI slop isn't just a content problem — it's a workflow design problem. We break down the jagged frontier of AI capability and what it means for founders building the next generation of B2B AI tools.

Why MCED tests haven't achieved FDA approval: Analysis of positive predictive value issues, clinical evidence barriers, and diagnostic costs. Plus market potential insights.

HeartFlow's IPO marks the first pure-play medical AI company to reach public markets with 99% AI revenue. Analysis of business model, financials, and roadmap for medical AI startups.

AI agents are evolving from solo tools to collaborative teams. Here's how MCP and A2A protocols are enabling startups to build agent businesses without platform dependencies.

Explore the 2025 LLM market structure and competition. Will AI language models form a natural monopoly, or will OpenAI, Google, and others shape a diverse AI landscape?

In the Gen AI era, users leave old tools with zero friction. This post explores why switching costs are disappearing—and why UX is now the most important feature for product survival.

Dive deep into how WADDLE, in partnership with OpenAI, is successfully deploying advanced AI agents in e-commerce. Discover their strategies for product-market fit, scaling SaaS solutions, and effective B2B sales.

What holds back superconductors from commercialization? And how are semiconductors evolving in the age of AI? A look at materials, physics, and future bets.

Discover how at-home digital diagnostics are enabling early detection and remote monitoring—reshaping the future of personalized healthcare.

As LLMs push memory to its limits, HBM has emerged as a critical solution. Here’s how it works—and why it’s not the final answer.

Short-form drama platforms like ReelShort and Dramabox are redefining the OTT landscape. Here's why global viewers are paying top dollar for 1-minute episodes.

What makes healthcare different from other industries? This article explores the sector’s core challenges—uncertainty, complexity, and high-mix, low-volume production.

Despite high ARPU, Korea’s mobile MMORPGs are facing a structural crisis. This post explores why—and what game startups should rethink to grow globally.

Understanding Semiconductors Through Cake: A Beginner-Friendly Introduction to Chips, Transistors, and Wafers

AI-driven opportunistic screening promises early disease detection from routine scans—but real-world impact depends on insurance, outcomes, and system integration.

Why imagination matters in early-stage VC and how rediscovering it can lead to bolder, better investments.

Expertise and Strategic Thinking of Healthcare Startups