LionRocket, a startup specializing in AI-generated webtoons, recently secured a substantial bridge investment of KRW 6 billion, bringing its total funding to KRW 14 billion. The funding round was led by Stonebridge Ventures, with participation from GU Equity Partners.

With this fresh infusion of capital, LionRocket aims to further solidify its position as a leading player in image-generating AI technology. The company plans to leverage its unique AI capabilities to expand its business, including venturing into the Japanese market, thereby establishing itself as a frontrunner in the global AI webtoon market.

Founded by three AI engineers recognized in Forbes’ “Asia’s 30 Under 30” in 2021, LionRocket is actively reshaping the content market through its innovative image-generating AI technology.

Presently, LionRocket collaborates with over 15 content companies in Korea and Japan. Notably, the company inked a strategic agreement with Creek & River Entertainment in May to optimize webtoon production support solutions. LionRocket is also deeply engaged in the “Lee Hyun-se AI Project” in collaboration with Jaedam Media.

At the core of LionRocket’s offerings is its flagship image-generating AI service, Genvas. Genvas boasts unique character stabilization and motion control technologies, enabling webtoon production at ten times the speed of traditional methods and at a 50% cost reduction. The goal is to introduce a new paradigm in the webtoon market, empowering individuals to become creators freely.

To address challenges effectively, LionRocket employs Brain Boosting Learning technology. This technology focuses on the crucial aspect of utilizing image-generating AI in webtoons – ‘control,’ achieving character consistency with just ten training data images.

Genvas utilizes LionRocket’s proprietary learning algorithm to stabilize and implement high-quality characters with only ten training images. Additionally, it significantly enhances webtoon production efficiency by over 90% through character stabilization and pose control technology.

Furthermore, LionRocket adeptly navigates copyright concerns. The company learns the artistic style of directly contracted artists and applies it exclusively to serialized works, ensuring creative freedom within copyright boundaries.

Ryan Jung, CEO of LionRocket, expressed, “LionRocket is actively collaborating with more than 15 global companies in Korea, Japan, and beyond, utilizing our unparalleled image-generating AI technology. Through Genvas, our webtoon-generating AI technology, we aim to support the rapid global influence of K-webtoons.”