Korean startup Walk101, which develops AI-based musculoskeletal X-ray interpretation support solutions, has secured seed funding from MYSC (MY Social Company) and been selected for the TIPS program. With this investment, Walk101 plans to enhance its diagnostic support technology and accelerate global market expansion. The TIPS selection will help the company advance its integrated musculoskeletal AI model LMSM (Large Musculoskeletal Model), strengthen self-learning capabilities based on clinical data, and refine its global SaaS architecture.

Walk101 is a digital healthcare company that addresses the structural shortage of radiologists in medical settings by developing technology that automatically analyzes X-ray images and generates quantified reports using artificial intelligence. Beyond the limitations of single-site interpretation models, the company aims to build an “inclusive healthcare infrastructure” that reduces service quality gaps between regions and hospitals through an integrated AI model.

Walk101’s core solution “WALK101” is a Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) that supports specialist interpretation through automatic analysis of musculoskeletal X-ray images. Its structural advantage lies in using a single integrated AI model to interpret more than 20 musculoskeletal sites. As a cloud-based SaaS solution, it integrates with PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) and EMR (Electronic Medical Records). This allows hospitals to immediately utilize AI analysis and automatic report generation, improving diagnostic efficiency and reducing dependence on outsourced readings—benefits that have been validated in clinical settings.

The company has already secured five KFDA certifications covering knee, foot, and spine areas, and is pursuing expansion to over 20 certifications. Walk101 successfully completed an API integration proof-of-concept with Infinitt Healthcare, a major domestic PACS provider, achieving technical compatibility that enables immediate AI interpretation within existing systems without additional equipment installation.

Walk101 is collecting and precisely labeling high-resolution DICOM image data from actual clinical environments at partner hospitals, following approval from IRB (Institutional Review Board). Rather than relying on public datasets, securing real patient data through proper medical ethics procedures represents a core competitive advantage for improving AI model performance and advancing self-learning capabilities.

Based on this technological foundation, the company is pursuing a global expansion strategy focused on Southeast Asia. The Southeast Asian market is experiencing rapid growth in demand for AI diagnostic solutions due to radiologist shortages. Walk101 is proceeding with medical device registration in key countries including Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore, leveraging its KFDA certification and ISO 13485 quality certification. Through revenue-sharing partnerships with local PACS operators, the company is expanding SaaS revenue while contributing to improved healthcare access in developing countries and the social democratization of AI-based diagnostic technology.

“Walk101 has secured a leading advantage in technology and market entry based on its musculoskeletal-specialized integrated data structure (LMSM) and extensive PACS integration experience,” said Jun-jae Byun at MYSC. “The company enables high-quality diagnostic services even in regions with limited healthcare access, contributing to reducing urban-rural healthcare disparities and aligning strongly with ESG values. With the TIPS selection, we expect the company to fully pursue technology advancement and global network expansion.”

“As a clinician-turned-entrepreneur, I’ve led the entire process from technology development through clinical validation to regulatory approval based on deep understanding of medical practice, securing both credibility and execution capability,” said Dong-sik Chae, CEO of Walk101. “With this investment, we’ll accelerate AI model advancement and global SaaS transformation, growing Korean medical AI to contribute to reducing healthcare gaps in Southeast Asian markets.”