D.circle, a South Korean startup that operates RnDcircle, a platform that promotes AI-driven research and connects companies with research labs, has secured seed funding from investors including Bluepoint Partners. RnDcircle aims to transform the inefficient structure of industry-academia collaboration by using AI to repackage research outcomes into business-friendly content and provide a system that swiftly connects research partners. The platform reportedly shortens the average research partner matching time from over six months to just two weeks.

This allows companies to collaborate with the right research partners at the right time, significantly reducing research and development costs and time while boosting the likelihood of successful projects. D.circle’s goal is to create a more transparent and efficient collaboration ecosystem, helping more research outcomes reach real-world applications.

Currently, D.circle facilitates over 50 research partner matches per month across fields like AI, biotechnology, and chemical engineering. The platform is being adopted by universities in Seoul and the surrounding areas, and the company is conducting proof-of-concept (PoC) projects and signing annual contracts with major corporations like LG and Samsung.

Do Gi-ppum, an associate at Bluepoint Partners, who led the investment, said, “This platform has the potential for significant social impact by improving national R&D efficiency and aiding the commercialization of innovative technologies. Even small and medium-sized businesses and startups can use D.circle’s platform to collaborate with large research institutions, promoting technological innovation and growth across industries.”

Following this investment, D.circle plans to officially launch the RnDcircle platform in the second half of the year and expand into global markets.

Jang Jae-woo and Lee Yoon-gu, co-CEOs of D.circle, said, “RnDcircle offers a solution that dramatically reduces the time and costs involved in matching research partners. By benefiting both research labs and companies, we aim to contribute to the sustainability of the R&D collaboration ecosystem.”