South Korean robotic startup Rlwrld secures $26m funding

RLWRLD, a South Korean startup developing robotics foundation models trained in industrial environments, has raised about US$26 million in its Seed 2 funding round, bringing total seed funding to about US$41 million.

Investors said the new capital will support RLWRLD’s expansion into North America and broader global markets, and accelerate proof-of-concept projects with partners in Japan and South Korea.

Investors include Headline Asia and Z Venture Capital Corporation, with strategic backing from CJ Logistics, Kakao Investment, Lotte Ventures, Hashed Ventures, and others.

The company says it trains its models directly within live industrial operations, giving it a proprietary data advantage over competitors developing in lab settings.

RLWRLD plans to launch its robotics foundation model in the first half of 2026, with ongoing collaborations across logistics, manufacturing, and service sectors.

The company says its technology aims to enable robots with human-like perception and dexterity for industrial tasks.