Naver D2SF Makes New Investment in Forge, Linking Korea's Manufacturing Capabilities to Global Defense Demand

[Financial News] Naver D2SF said on the 26th that it had made a new investment in startup Forge, which integrates domestic foundational manufacturing plants into a single production network and connects them with global defense companies. It said it highly valued Forge's business potential in addressing supply shortages in the global defense and manufacturing sectors with Korea's manufacturing capabilities.
In the global defense and manufacturing industries, demand is rising rapidly, but manufacturing infrastructure capable of responding stably remains in short supply. In defense, large-scale procurement demand is surging, yet companies cannot easily meet it with their own production facilities alone.
Forge is integrating domestic manufacturing plants into a "programmable manufacturing network" that global defense and manufacturing companies can use. It deploys its own software in existing factory environments to collect real-time data on equipment, processes, inspections and workflows, then converts that data into the standard documents and compliance systems required by global buyers. Korean manufacturers can meet the requirements needed to enter global supply chains without replacing their systems on a large scale, while global buyers can secure verified manufacturing partners.
Forge, founded in January, has now attracted its first institutional investment. The round included Naver D2SF, KNET Investment Partners LLC, Primer Sazze Partners, d·camp and 500 Global, among other domestic and overseas investors. Forge is expanding partnerships with foundational manufacturing plants centered on industrial hubs in Sacheon, Changwon and Busan in the southeastern region, while also broadening its network with demand companies in defense, aerospace, shipbuilding and robotics across North America and Europe. With this investment, the startup plans to expand hiring in manufacturing engineering and AI development, as well as grow new manufacturing partnerships.
Sanghwan Yang, head of Naver D2SF, said, "We plan to continue discovering startups that solve structural problems in the defense and manufacturing sectors with technology and create opportunities in global markets."
[email protected] Choi Hye-rim Reporter