RLWRLD, a robotics AI software startup, has secured KRW 21 billion ($14.8 million) in seed funding, marking one of the largest seed investments for a South Korean startup. The investment round was led by prominent venture capital firms with participation from strategic investors including Hashed, Mirae Asset Venture Investments, SK Telecom, and LG Electronics from Korea, as well as Japan’s largest VC Global Brain, which brings together corporate venture capitals such as KDDI, ANA Holdings, and Mitsui K-Cal2. Additional strategic investors include Group SHA, Shimadzu Chemical, and KDDI from Japan, along with Amber Manufacturing from India
Founded in 2024 by Jung-Hee Ryu, a serial entrepreneur who previously founded Olaworks (acquired by Intel in 2012) and startup accelerator Future Play, RLWRLD is developing robotics foundation models (RFMs) that combine large language models with traditional robotics software. The company aims to create AI systems that enable robots to move quickly and flexibly while possessing logical reasoning capabilities, addressing the limitations of current industrial robots that struggle with precision tasks, delicate materials, and adapting to changing environments.
The newly secured funds will be allocated toward proof-of-concept initiatives in collaboration with strategic investors, acquiring essential computing infrastructure such as GPUs, purchasing robots, and gathering extensive data for model training.
