Quantumaero, a Korean startup specializing in defense artificial intelligence (AI), has raised USD 2.64 million (KRW 3.7 billion) in seed funding from ST Capital, Open Water Angels, and two strategic investors, bringing its total funding to approximately USD 3.36 million (KRW 4.7 billion).

Founded in February last year, Quantumaero has achieved significant revenue growth with its unique defense AI business model, earning a valuation of about USD 35.71 million (KRW 50 billion) in this funding round. With this investment, Quantumaero aims to bolster its defense AI technology competitiveness while laying the groundwork to innovate South Korea’s future battlefield environment and enhance the AI combat capabilities of the nation’s armed forces.

Under its vision of “Redefining the Battlefield with Advanced Technology,” Quantumaero serves as the exclusive Korean technology partner of Shield AI, a U.S. company with the world’s most advanced AI pilot technology. In June last year, at the request of the Republic of Korea Navy, Quantumaero successfully conducted combat experiments with Shield AI’s V-BAT vertical takeoff and landing UAV on the Dokdo ship, proving its technical prowess in defense AI.

Quantumaero has signed nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) with leading Korean defense firms, including Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, Hyundai Rotem, Korean Air, and Huneed Technologies, to explore various collaboration opportunities for providing defense AI solutions. Beyond air force AI, the company is preparing exclusive domestic technology partnerships with global AI specialists in maritime, land, and command decision-making AI systems, aiming to solidify its influence in the defense AI solutions sector within South Korea.

Quantumaero is gearing up for a Series A funding round in the second half of this year, targeting a valuation of approximately USD 107 million (KRW 150 billion). To this end, it is actively engaging with numerous domestic and international strategic investors (SIs) and venture capital firms (VCs).

Dong-geun Jeon, CEO of Quantumaero, said, “We will swiftly address the structural challenges facing our armed forces through AI solutions in collaboration with domestic conglomerates. To sustain a second defense export boom in the global market, we will work with major firms to advance various AI weapons systems.”