Enerzai is a startup that optimizes and streamlines artificial intelligence (AI) incorporated into edge devices or servers. The company was founded by CEO Jang Han-him in January 2019. An edge device refers to an AI device that processes data directly, such as the processing unit of a smartphone.
CEO Jang noted, "AI optimization is a technology that solves two problems," adding, "On-device technologies like smartphones have limited computing resources, so optimization is essential to run AI models."
He further explained, "From the server's perspective, we must maximize efficiency while minimizing server usage to quickly utilize the model," and noted, "Enerzai possesses low-level optimization technology that maximizes performance by optimizing AI models for hardware."
CEO Jang decided to start the company based on his experiences working with SK Telecom and the startup SUALAB. SUALAB developed a system that automatically identifies defective products in the manufacturing sector based on three technologies: artificial intelligence, machine vision, and supercomputing. It was sold to the U.S. Nasdaq-listed company Cognex for approximately 230 billion won six years after its founding in 2019.
CEO Jang said, "I had the capability to commercialize technology based on my experiences at SUALAB," and noted, "Since SUALAB was limited to the manufacturing industry, I decided to start my own company to expand AI technology into various sectors."
Enerzai recently launched an automated AI optimization engine called "Optimum" and plans to establish this year as the foundational year for its revenue.
With the recent application of AI models to various everyday devices, including smartphones, automobiles, and CCTV, the demand for AI automated optimization inference solutions is expected to increase.
CEO Jang emphasized, "While there are many AI optimization companies in South Korea, Enerzai stands out as the best in both AI model streamlining and low-level optimization, which differentiates us from competitors."
Enerzai has been selected for the 8th Seoul Innovation Challenge for startups conducted by the Seoul Business Agency (SBA) and is currently working on a project to develop a high-performance water area detection solution in limited visibility environments. The technology aims to early detect flooding in rivers and dams by optimizing numerous data collected from CCTV installed in amusement parks across the country using AI technology.
The Seoul Innovation Challenge is a pre-research and development (Pre-R&D) program supporting technology-based startups leading the fourth industrial revolution, enabling them to grow into globally competitive corporations. This initiative, co-run by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and SBA since 2017, aims to identify early tech teams with innovative technologies in key industrial sectors such as AI, big data, robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and healthcare, providing support for their successful commercialization.
Enerzai currently employs 25 people, 19 of whom are developers. So far, the company has filed for 51 patents related to core technologies such as artificial neural network training methods and systems, of which 28 have been registered. It was selected for the TIPS program through seed investment from Spring Camp and also secured 3.5 billion won in Series A funding from companies including Korea Investment Partners.
CEO Jang emphasized, "As AI optimization becomes more important in the AI ecosystem, we will make this year the foundational year for entering overseas markets," stating that he plans to target the U.S. market, particularly Silicon Valley, where major clients are concentrated.