Beyond Honeycomb, a South Korean startup developing AI-powered cooking robots, has raised approximately USD 7.2 million(KRW 10 billion) in a Series A bridge funding round. The round was led by existing investor LB Investment, with new and follow-on participation from KDB, BNK Venture Investment, Devsisters Ventures, and the Korea Technology Finance Corporation(KIBO). This brings the company’s total funding to about USD 14.1 million(KRW 19.6 billion).

Beyond Honeycomb’s flagship product, GRILL X, is an AI cooking robot that automatically grills various meats such as pork, beef, and fish. The robot uses real-time analysis to assess the meat’s condition and autonomously adjusts the cooking process, ensuring consistent taste and quality without human supervision. The product is currently in use across a range of foodservice operations, including small restaurants, franchise chains, and five-star hotels.

The newly secured funds will be used to enhance mass production systems and prepare for global expansion. To meet growing demand, the company plans to upgrade its manufacturing and quality control infrastructure. Additionally, it aims to build distribution partnerships and local testbeds, starting in North America, as part of its global strategy.

Hyungki Jung, CEO of Beyond Honeycomb, stated, “This investment marks a key milestone in recognizing our technology and global potential. We aim to advance our AI cooking solutions and become a leader in the global food tech market, starting with North America.”

Founded by former Samsung Electronics researchers in AI and robotics, Beyond Honeycomb initially received investment from NAVER D2SF. Its cooking solutions have been successfully deployed in NAVER’s corporate cafeterias, proving both speed and quality. Supported by government voucher programs, the startup has also made its robots accessible to small businesses, spearheading AI adoption in the food tech industry.