Nota AI, a South Korean startup specializing in AI optimization and lightweight technology, has secured KRW 30 billion in Series C funding, bringing its total funding to KRW 53.2 billion since its founding.

The round was led by Stic Ventures and LB Investment, with new investors including Korea Industrial Bank(KDB) and Mirae Asset Securities. Existing investors StoneBridge Ventures, InterVest, and DS Investment Partners also participated, along with major AI semiconductor corporate venture capitalists as strategic investors.

Founded in 2015, Nota AI focuses on edge and on-device generative AI technology. The company initially received investment from Naver D2SF and has since rapidly grown its customer base domestically and internationally, securing four consecutive investments from Stone Bridge Ventures and three from LB Investment.

With this latest funding, Nota AI plans to recruit top talent in AI optimization and expand its business through strengthened collaborations with global AI semiconductor companies. Nota is already in large-scale agreements to provide generative AI optimization technology to leading AI semiconductor firms.

Nota AI aims to provide high-performance generative AI model optimization technology to various industries, such as robotics and mobility, enabling advancements through generative AI. The company also plans to enhance its cooperation with AI semiconductor companies via its strategic investors.

Nota is preparing for an IPO early next year, with Mirae Asset Securities as the lead underwriter, showing their confidence in Nota’s successful listing by also participating in this investment round.

Do Jae-won, Director at Stic Ventures, commented, “Nota AI is seen as a company that can popularize advanced AI models across various devices. We expect Nota to grow into a key player in the on-device AI market, collaborating with big tech companies like NVIDIA and ARM.”

Myeong-soo Chae, CEO of Nota AI, stated, “We expect our first-half revenue to exceed the total revenue of 2023, with a 300% increase in 2024. This investment will help us strategically collaborate with partners and expand overseas, establishing Nota as a leader in on-device AI in the global market.”

Nota’s platform, NetsPresso, optimizes AI models to run on devices. Nota AI has established official partnerships with global tech companies, including NVIDIA, ARM, Intel, STMicroelectronics, and Renesas, maintaining close collaborations.