Klleon
Category: Generative Media (Image / Video)
Korean AI startup building real-time conversational digital humans (face, voice, persona) via an SDK and studio platform. Klleon was founded in 2019. The company is led by Seunghyuk Jin (진승혁). Based in Seoul, South Korea (HQ also San Mateo, CA, USA; Tokyo, Japan). Team size: 11-50. Total funding raised: $9M. Latest round: Series B. Key investors include LB Investment, Samsung Venture Investment, Kakao Investment, RBW, BluePoint Partners, KB Securities.
- Founded
- 2019
- Headquarters
- Seoul, South Korea (HQ also San Mateo, CA, USA; Tokyo, Japan)
- Team size
- 11-50
- Total funding
- $9M
Value proposition
Klleon provides a digital human SDK and studio that lets businesses create and deploy real-time conversational AI avatars with natural facial expressions, gaze, gestures, and voice — turning static customer interactions into live, brand-personalized dialogue across web, app, and kiosk.
Products and solutions
Klleon Studio (digital human creation/management platform), Klleon SDK (code-based integration), ROLEFIT (AI roleplay training solution, e.g. Samsung Life AI customer training), STYLEIT, real-time conversational digital human platform, AI dubbing with lip-sync.
Unique value
Real-time conversational digital humans with non-verbal expression (facial expressions, gaze, gestures) — not just text chatbots. Sub-1-second response latency, multi-language/multi-persona support, and ~1/3 the operating cost of competitors.
Target customer
Enterprises across retail, customer service, education, finance/insurance, and entertainment; also government/local municipalities (GovTech).
Industries served
Retail, Customer Service (CS), Education, Finance/Insurance, Entertainment, Healthcare/Wellness, Government (GovTech), Space/venue guidance.
Technology advantage
Proprietary AI deep-learning-based face/voice synthesis and lip-motion generation; real-time interactive digital human tech; AWS Inferentia-based inference (50%+ cost reduction); participation in ITU-T digital human international standards (F.748.30, F.FDHC, F.FLDH); Gartner Cool Vendor (2023).
How they differentiate
Focus on real-time conversational interaction with expressive non-verbal behavior (face, gaze, gesture) rather than static avatar generation; strong Korean enterprise partnerships (Samsung Life, LG, Hyundai/KIA); ~1/3 operating cost vs competitors; international standard-setting involvement.
Main competitors
DeepBrain AI (KR), ESTsoft / STUDIO PERSO (KR), Synthesia / HeyGen (international AI avatar platforms)
Key partnerships
Samsung Life (AI roleplay training, since 2022 Samsung Finance C-Lab Outside), Samsung Electronics, Sony, LG Electronics, Panasonic, EssilorLuxottica, IKEA, Hyundai, KIA, Everland (Samsung C&T), Ceragem, Siheung City
Notable customers
Samsung Life, Samsung Electronics, Sony, LG Electronics, Panasonic, EssilorLuxottica, IKEA, Hyundai, KIA, Everland, Ceragem, Siheung City.
Major milestones
2019 founded, 2020 seed (BluePoint), 2021 Pre-A ₩2B, 2022 Samsung Finance C-Lab Outside (Samsung Life best-in-class), 2023 Series A ₩9.5B + Gartner Cool Vendor, 2024 world-first commercialization of real-time conversational digital human, 2025 hired ex-Samsung NEON exec Kevin Morrow as CBO, 2026 Samsung Life AI roleplay solution launch + KB Securities IPO underwriting.
Growth metrics
100+ enterprise deployments; sub-1-second response latency; monthly growth ~150% (per company); AWS Inferentia inference cost reduction 50%+.
Market positioning
Leading Korean digital human / human-AI interface startup; expanding from Korea into North America (US HQ in San Mateo) and Japan; preparing for IPO with KB Securities as lead underwriter.
Geographic focus
South Korea (home base), North America (US HQ San Mateo), Japan (Tokyo office).
Patents and IP
Participates in ITU-T digital human international standard-setting (F.748.30, F.FDHC, F.FLDH).
About Seunghyuk Jin (진승혁)
Serial founder (Ggobook, Gridazip); Hanyang University B.E. Electronic Engineering (융합전자공학부 11). Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree.
Latest news about Klleon
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Official website: https://klleon.io/
