Last Updated: 15 April 2025
RLWRLD, a startup focused on Physical AI, has raised $15 million in seed funding to develop large-scale robotics foundation models that operate in the real world. The round brings together a rare cross-border coalition of investors from Korea and Japan, including LG Electronics, SK Telecom, KDDI, ANA Holdings, Mitsui Chemicals, and Shimadzu Corporation.
The investment also includes support from leading venture capital firms such as Hashed, Mirae Asset, and Global Brain. This marks one of the most significant collaborations across East Asia in the realm of AI applied to physical environments.
While most generative AI development focuses on digital tasks like text, images, and code, RLWRLD is shifting attention to robots and machines that interact with real-world environments. Their foundation models are trained on sensor data and robotics systems to help machines move, perceive, and act in complex, dynamic spaces—such as warehouses, factories, and logistics hubs.
"Silicon Valley is building brains for the internet. We're building brains for machines."
Jung-hee Ryu, Founder & CEO, RLWRLD
The company's platform combines three elements: embodied model architectures, industrial-scale data pipelines from manufacturing sites, and infrastructure that can integrate easily with existing robotics systems.
The new funding will allow RLWRLD to expand its proprietary data pipelines through industrial partner facilities and accelerate the development of its robotics foundation model stack. The team plans to deepen technical integrations with sensor and robotics companies across Asia and North America.
Additionally, RLWRLD is establishing an innovation ecosystem through collaborations with top Korean institutions like KAIST, Seoul National University, and POSTECH, as well as robotics firms including WIRobotics, Rainbow Robotics, Robotis, and Wonik Robotics.
RLWRLD was founded by Jung-hee Ryu, who previously sold his company Olaworks to Intel—the tech giant's first Korean startup acquisition. He leads a team that includes KAIST Chair Professor Jinwoo Shin, Kurly's former CTO, a former BCG partner, and a senior engineering lead from Kakao.
The diverse team brings together academic research, industrial know-how, and startup experience to address what they believe is the next trillion-dollar AI opportunity.
"We're not just writing papers—we're training models that solve real-world problems on real production floors."
Jinwoo Shin, Chief Scientist, RLWRLD & KAIST Chair Professor
Backers of this seed round include tech and industry leaders across Japan and Korea. The involvement of major industrial firms like LG and ANA, alongside AI-focused VCs such as Hashed and Global Brain, underlines strong investor belief in the potential of physical AI.
"RLWRLD combines deep AI research with industrial execution at scale. That's what makes this a rare, high-conviction investment."
Simon Seojoon Kim, CEO, Hashed
