This article was published on the ChosunBiz MoneyMove (MM) site at 3:55 p.m. on March 26, 2026.
NearsLab, a company specializing in drone operation solutions, has begun its push to list on the KOSDAQ market in earnest. It recently completed a stock split and filed for preliminary listing review with the Korea Exchange (KRX). Observers say the move appears aimed at capitalizing on increased investor interest in defense stocks amid a spread of geopolitical risk originating in the Middle East.
On the 26th, people in the financial investment industry said NearsLab applied for preliminary listing review to the KOSDAQ Market Division of the Korea Exchange (KRX) on the 23rd. The company is targeting a technology-special listing without earnings realization, and it already received A grades from two technical evaluation institutions at the end of last year. Samsung Securities is serving as the lead underwriter.
This year NearsLab sped up prelisting work by sequentially carrying out conversion of redeemable convertible preferred shares (RCPS) into common stock and a stock face-value split. Although there had been expectations that it would file for preliminary listing review in April, it formalized its listing bid 10 days after completing the stock split on the 13th.
NearsLab, founded in 2015, is a drone design and operations specialist. It has technology that enables autonomous flight using cameras and its own artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. Starting with its first drone solution for wind turbine safety inspections, it has recently expanded into defense drones employing direct-collision interception methods.
Analysts say NearsLab is aiming for the "golden time" to list as a defense stock. Global geopolitical risk has heightened investor interest in defense stocks. In particular, as drones have emerged as a key force in modern warfare, attention toward NearsLab's direct-collision interception drones has risen.
The company is said to be targeting a valuation of more than 200 billion won. That would raise its valuation target by more than 50% from the 130 billion won valuation recognized during its 16 billion won Series D2 funding round in August last year. The number of shares planned for the offering is 910,000, and the number of shares expected to be listed is about 5.77 million.
If NearsLab's public offering proves popular, some expect a wave of drone companies to pursue listings. Pablo Aviation, a specialist in drone swarm flight solutions, has applied for the technology evaluation, the first gate for listing, and SOOMVI, which specializes in unmanned aircraft manufacturing, is reportedly planning to retry a listing this year.
A person in the investment banking industry said, "If K-defense has relied on hardware exports such as self-propelled guns until now, NearsLab is meaningful in that it represents a software expansion," and added, "Whether NearsLab's offering succeeds will be a testing ground to gauge the possibility of change in Korea's defense ecosystem."