Lehigh
Category: AI in Defense / Aerospace
A specialized UAV and AI solution provider integrating autonomous flight control, swarm intelligence, and spatial informatics for defense, cultural heritage, and entertainment sectors. Lehigh was founded in 2021. The company is led by Chu Hye-sung. Based in Gyeongju, South Korea. Team size: 19. Total funding raised: $1.5M. Latest round: Series A. Key investors include Quantum Ventures Korea.
- Founded
- 2021
- Headquarters
- Gyeongju, South Korea
- Team size
- 19
- Total funding
- $1.5M
Value proposition
Bridges the gap between drone hardware and AI-driven spatial data to provide high-precision monitoring for sensitive heritage sites and autonomous heavy-duty logistics for military operations.
Products and solutions
Cargo Air Vehicle (CAV): High-payload (200kg-class) autonomous drones for military logistics and tactical supply., Digital Heritage (3D-Saiso): AI-driven 3D spatial informatics platform for the safety management and digital archiving of UNESCO cultural heritage sites., Drone Light Show: Proprietary swarm control systems for large-scale aerial performances (e.g., Gyeongju and Sapgyoho shows)., AI Drone Monitoring Solution: Industrial safety and surveillance systems using AI-powered real-time data analysis., UAM (Urban Air Mobility) R&D: Development of pilotless remote-control and full autonomous flight services.
Unique value
The company is a rare player that successfully commercializes 'Digital Heritage'—using AI to protect cultural assets—while simultaneously developing heavy-duty military cargo drones under the same tech stack.
Target customer
Ministry of National Defense (ROK Army), Cultural Heritage Administration, local governments (e.g., Gyeongju, Dangjin), and large-scale event organizers.
Industries served
Defense & Aerospace, Culture & Tourism (Digital Heritage), Logistics & Transport, Public Safety & Monitoring
Technology advantage
Possesses core competencies in swarm intelligence for light shows and high-stability autonomous control for 200kg-class payloads. Their AI-driven spatial informatics can create high-fidelity 3D digital twins of complex structures for disaster prevention.
How they differentiate
Lehigh differentiates by integrating AI-driven 3D spatial informatics specifically for 'Digital Heritage' (cultural asset safety) while simultaneously developing heavy-duty (200kg-class) military cargo drones, bridging entertainment swarm tech with high-precision industrial monitoring.
Main competitors
Pablo Air, UVify, Nearthlab
Key partnerships
Credit Guarantee Fund (KODIT): Selected as a 'First Penguin' company., Ministry of SMEs and Startups: Final selection for the 'Deep Tech Challenge (DCP)' for 200kg-class military cargo drone development., Cultural Heritage Administration: Partnerships for monitoring UNESCO sites (Bulguksa, Seokguram)., Quantum Ventures: Key venture capital partner for Series A funding., Local Governments: Ongoing collaboration with Gyeongju-si for tourism-focused drone shows and heritage safety.
Notable customers
Ministry of National Defense (ROK), Cultural Heritage Administration, Gyeongju City, Dangjin City
Major milestones
Incorporated in Feb 2021 (Business foundation 2018), Selected for Deep Tech Challenge (DCP) for 200kg military cargo drone (2024), Series A investment round of ₩2B led by Quantum Ventures Korea (Sep 2025), Selected for KODIT 'First Penguin' program with up to ₩3B KRW in credit support (2025), Selected as Gyeongbuk Defense Venture Company (Mar 2026), Exhibited LIHAI-PRIME FC, LIHAI-MAX (50kg cargo) and LIHAI-X at DSK 2026 (Feb 2026), Developed domestically-produced flight controller LIHAI-PRIME (Jan 2026)
Growth metrics
Revenue increased from ₩1.6B KRW (2022) to ₩2.0B KRW (2024) and ₩3.2B KRW (2025). Selected for KODIT 'First Penguin' program in 2025. Employee count: 19 (2026).
Market positioning
Specialized niche leader in Digital Twin-based heritage management and autonomous military logistics within the South Korean UAV sector.
Geographic focus
South Korea (Gyeongju, Dangjin), with expansion potential in global UNESCO heritage archiving markets.
Patents and IP
Holds approximately 10 registered and pending patents (as of 2025) covering UAV control, AI-based monitoring, and autonomous aviation systems.
About Chu Hye-sung
Chu Hye-sung is a specialist in UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) systems who founded Lehigh (Lihai Co., Ltd.) to bridge drone hardware with AI-driven monitoring. He established the business foundation in 2018 and formally incorporated in 2021. He has led projects for the Cultural Heritage Administration, including AI safety management systems for UNESCO sites like Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto. He is recognized as a 'Star Tourism Venture' entrepreneur and was selected for the KODIT 'First Penguin' program in 2025.
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Official website: http://www.lihai.co.kr/