What does 이노버스 (Innovus) do?

이노버스 (Innovus) operates in the AI in Climate / Energy sector. AI-powered reverse vending machine startup that deploys computer vision-based PET bottle collection and sorting robots across South Korea for municipal and enterprise recycling. AIoT-based unmanned PET bottle collection machines (reverse vending machines) that automatically recognize, sort, and collect transparent PET bottles with 99% accuracy in 0.8 seconds, at 1/3 the cost of competitors (~₩8M vs ₩20-30M), with a reward-point system to drive user participation.

When was 이노버스 (Innovus) founded?

이노버스 (Innovus) was founded in 2022. It is based in Ulsan, South Korea (HQ); also Seoul office (Yeongdeungpo-gu).

Who is the CEO of 이노버스 (Innovus)?

장진혁 (Jang Jin-hyeok) is the CEO of 이노버스 (Innovus). The company was founded in 2022.

Where is 이노버스 (Innovus) located?

이노버스 (Innovus) is headquartered in Ulsan, South Korea (HQ); also Seoul office (Yeongdeungpo-gu).

What funding stage is 이노버스 (Innovus) at?

이노버스 (Innovus) is currently at the Growth Stage stage.

How many employees does 이노버스 (Innovus) have?

이노버스 (Innovus) has approximately 11-50 employees.

이노버스 (Innovus)

Category: AI in Climate / Energy

AI-powered reverse vending machine startup that deploys computer vision-based PET bottle collection and sorting robots across South Korea for municipal and enterprise recycling. 이노버스 (Innovus) was founded in 2022. The company is led by 장진혁 (Jang Jin-hyeok). Based in Ulsan, South Korea (HQ); also Seoul office (Yeongdeungpo-gu). Team size: 11-50. Latest round: Seed. Key investors include 충북창조경제혁신센터 (Chungbuk Center for Creative Economy & Innovation); 중소벤처기업부 (Ministry of SMEs and Startups) via TIPS program.

Founded: 2022
Headquarters: Ulsan, South Korea (HQ); also Seoul office (Yeongdeungpo-gu)
Team size: 11-50

Value proposition

AIoT-based unmanned PET bottle collection machines (reverse vending machines) that automatically recognize, sort, and collect transparent PET bottles with 99% accuracy in 0.8 seconds, at 1/3 the cost of competitors (~₩8M vs ₩20-30M), with a reward-point system to drive user participation.

Products and solutions

1) Ssuesam RePET (쓰샘 RePET): AI-powered PET bottle collection and sorting robot (reverse vending machine); 2) Ssuesam ReCUP (쓰샘 ReCUP): AI-powered disposable cup collection and sorting machine; 3) Return (리턴) app: Reward point platform for users, with gamification features (Return Town).

Unique value

Cost-effective AI reverse vending machines (₩8M vs industry ₩20-30M) with 99% sorting accuracy in 0.8 seconds, combined with a gamified reward app (Return/리턴) to drive consumer recycling behavior.

Target customer

Local governments (B2G), apartment complexes and residential communities (B2B), universities (Seoul National, Yonsei), and public institutions across South Korea.

Industries served

Municipal waste management; Circular economy / resource recycling; PET bottle recycling; Smart city infrastructure; ESG compliance.

Technology advantage

Proprietary AI vision system for PET bottle recognition (99% accuracy, 0.8-second classification); self-designed low-cost hardware (₩8M vs ₩20-30M competitors); IoT-enabled real-time data collection on recycling volumes and user behavior; integrated reward ecosystem (Return app) with gamification.

How they differentiate

3x cheaper than competing reverse vending machines (₩8M vs ₩20-30M) through proprietary in-house design; AI vision-based sorting with 99% accuracy in 0.8 seconds; integrated reward app ecosystem; first Korean company to make large-scale infrastructure investment (₩5B) in public PET bottle collection.

Main competitors

디고랩스 (Digolabs) - Vision AI PET bottle recycling; 에이트테크 (Eight Tech) - AI-based waste sorting robots (에이트론); 포어시스 (Foresys) - Intelligent marine waste management solutions

Key partnerships

Songpa-gu Office (10 PET bottle collection machines at public offices, 2026); Seongbuk-gu Office (₩2B investment for 300+ household apartment complexes, 2025-2030); Yonsei University (Green Campus MOU, 2023); Seoul National University (Resource circulation MOU); Green Tech Alliance (그린테크얼라이언스) founding member; SK Innovation & Ministry of Environment (Environmental Social Business contest winner)

Notable customers

Songpa-gu Office; Seongbuk-gu Office; Yonsei University; Seoul National University; Various local governments (Daegu Jung-gu, Gangnam-gu Urban Management Corporation); Multiple apartment complexes in Yangcheon-gu, Guro-gu

Major milestones

2022.01: Company founded; 2022: Raised ~₩1.2B in seed investment; 2023.07: Selected for TIPS program (₩6B total support); 2023: 1M PET bottles collected, 10K users; 2024: 6.4M+ PET bottles collected, 200+ units installed, 99% sorting purity; 2025.04: Announced ₩5B infrastructure investment for 500 new machines; 2025.11: ₩2B Seongbuk-gu partnership (5-year); 2026.04: Songpa-gu MOU for 10 public machines

Growth metrics

6.4M+ PET bottles collected (2024); 200+ units installed nationwide; 99% sorting purity; 13 employees (as of 2026-03); 24 B2G public procurement contracts

Market positioning

Early-stage leader in Korean AI-powered reverse vending machines, positioned as the most cost-effective provider for municipal recycling infrastructure. Competes against higher-priced RVM manufacturers and traditional recycling logistics.

Geographic focus

South Korea (domestic focus, expanding across municipalities nationwide)

Patents and IP

8 patents filed (as of 2025); 2 national R&D projects in AI and robotics

About 장진혁 (Jang Jin-hyeok)

First-time founder. Started Innovus as a university club project focused on environmental problem-solving. Co-founded with 3 fellow university club members who remain with the company.

Official website: https://www.inobus.co.kr/