SparkLabs, a Korean investment firm, announced on the 27th that it has invested in Polymerize, a Singapore-based AI solutions company specializing in advanced materials R&D. The amount of the investment was not disclosed. This marks Polymerize’s first funding from a Korean investor.

Founded in 2020, Polymerize offers a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform that streamlines the R&D process for advanced materials using data-driven predictive modeling, grounded in the field of Material Informatics.

The company operates over 35 proprietary AI and machine learning models, built on expert chemical knowledge. By simply entering details about formulations, raw materials, and processing methods, researchers can obtain predicted experimental outcomes with up to 95% accuracy.

This allows clients to reduce development time by as much as 50% compared to traditional trial-and-error approaches. The platform also features a user-friendly dashboard that provides a clear overview of complex experimental data and enables efficient data management.

With offices in Singapore, Korea, Japan, and China, Polymerize has already validated its proprietary Material Informatics technology with more than 80 companies worldwide. Backed by the new investment, the company plans to expand its applications into a wide range of industries, including batteries, semiconductors, 3D printing, textiles, plastics, and cosmetics.

Yoojin Kim, CEO of SparkLabs, said, “Traditional R&D methods are inherently time-consuming and costly. We believe Polymerize’s AI technology can help overcome these limitations. We’re committed to supporting the company as it builds strong partnerships in Korea and establishes a stable presence in the market.”

Eunkyu Park, Head of Polymerize Korea, said, “In today’s rapidly evolving materials industry, strategic development of alternative materials and sustainable innovation is crucial. We plan to grow our R&D team in Korea and accelerate technology development to position Korea as a hub for materials innovation.”

Polymerize was previously selected for the K-Startup Grand Challenge, a program organized by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Startup Promotion Agency. At the 2024 K-Startup Grand Challenge Demo Day, Polymerize won the top prize, standing out among 1,716 teams from 114 countries. Following the win, the company secured $150,000 in prize money and is now in talks with major chemical materials companies, rapidly expanding its presence in the Korean market.