Korean startup Actnova, led by CEO Kim Dae-geon, has achieved a significant milestone by successfully attracting a Pre-Series A round investment totaling 3.3 billion won. The investment, spearheaded by Hana Ventures with contributions from A Ventures and Fast Ventures, underscores Actnova’s growing prominence in animal behavior testing, particularly in drug development for brain diseases like dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

As a spin-off from the KAIST research lab, Actnova’s core strength lies in its AI SaaS solution, Actverse, which analyzes behavioral symptom tests in animal models. By leveraging machine learning and web platform technologies, Actnova offers automated products capable of quantifying complex behaviors that were previously challenging to assess accurately supporting animal healthcare management. This breakthrough significantly accelerates the symptom diagnosis process, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in drug development endeavors.

The recent investment was primarily motivated by Actnova’s expansion into prestigious institutions such as MIT and the Broad Institute, coupled with its track record of delivering results to major domestic and international companies. Moreover, the company’s collaboration with esteemed organizations like the Korea Brain Research Institute and Daegu Cheombok Preclinical Center has further validated its technology and products in real-world research settings.

CEO Kim Dae-geon attributes the successful investment to Actnova’s technological prowess and the dedication of its team members. He expressed his commitment to enhancing customer experiences and product offerings, aiming to establish Actnova as a global leader in the bio industry.

Spearheading the investment, Jo Soo-jin, a senior reviewer at Hana Ventures, highlighted Actnova’s potential to address the growing demand for objective information through automated animal behavior analysis. Despite being in the early stages of its business, Actnova has garnered significant traction across academia and industry, positioning itself as a pivotal player in the field.
Actnova plans to leverage the investment to bolster its global service operations for Actverse. With a focus on differentiated technology and digital transformation in new drug development, Actnova is poised to lead the market and drive innovation in the biotech landscape.

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