NanoForge AI
Category: AI in Climate / Energy
An AI and robotics-driven platform that automates the entire materials research and development process, from design to synthesis and optimization. NanoForge AI was founded in 2025. The company is led by Donghyeon Kim. Based in Seoul, South Korea. Team size: 10-20. Total funding raised: Undisclosed Seed Round Amount. Latest round: Seed. Key investors include FuturePlay, Mashup Ventures.
- Founded
- 2025
- Headquarters
- Seoul, South Korea
- Team size
- 10-20
- Total funding
- Undisclosed Seed Round Amount
Value proposition
Dramatically reduces the R&D timeline for new materials from over seven years to less than one month and cuts costs by approximately 80% through an integrated AI and robotic automation platform.
Products and solutions
NanoForge Platform: A digital materials research platform featuring a generative AI 'Design Engine' and robotic systems for automated synthesis and experimentation.
Unique value
NanoForge AI's uniqueness lies in its fully integrated platform that combines generative AI for material design with robotics for automated physical synthesis, creating a closed-loop system that unifies digital design with real-world production.
Target customer
R&D teams in chemicals, advanced manufacturing, electronics, and materials companies.
Industries served
Chemicals, Semiconductors/Electronics, Energy Storage/Batteries, Advanced Manufacturing
Technology advantage
The core advantage is the creation of a closed-loop, automated materials development pipeline. This synergy between proprietary generative AI models and robotic lab automation enables rapid, multi-objective optimization and validation, significantly accelerating the discovery-to-market timeline.
How they differentiate
While competitors primarily focus on predictive analytics and data integration for material design, NanoForge AI differentiates itself by offering an end-to-end solution that includes automated robotic synthesis, directly linking AI-based design to physical production.
Main competitors
Citrine Informatics, DeepMatter Group
Key partnerships
Pilot collaborations with major Korean conglomerates in the electronics and materials sectors., Selected for Samsung Electronics C-Lab Outside open innovation program., Selected for Deep-Tech TIPS program by Ministry of SMEs and Startups of Korea., Selected for IBK Changgong portfolio by IBK Industrial Bank of Korea., PoC collaboration with EcoPro Partners (EcoPro BM) on next-generation battery materials — explored ~400,000 candidate compounds, announced at NextRise 2026 (June 2026).
Notable customers
Not publicly disclosed, but includes major players in the battery and electronics supply chains in South Korea.
Major milestones
Founded in April 2025., Achieved 2nd place in the KAIST E*5 startup competition in H1 2025., Secured seed funding from FuturePlay and Mashup Ventures in July 2025., Launched the initial version of the NanoForge Platform., Won Grand Prize (Deputy Prime Minister's Award) at 2025 K-DeepTech Startup King of Kings competition in October 2025., Selected for Samsung C-Lab Outside, Deep-Tech TIPS, and IBK Changgong programs in late 2025/early 2026.
Growth metrics
Team has grown from its founding members to over 10 employees; multiple pilot projects have been initiated with major Korean corporations.
Market positioning
Positioned as an early-mover and deep-tech leader in South Korea's advanced manufacturing ecosystem, focusing on the Asia-Pacific market with a vertically integrated R&D platform.
Geographic focus
South Korea and the broader Asia-Pacific region.
Patents and IP
No public patents disclosed as of late 2024.
About Donghyeon Kim
Donghyun Kim's professional experience is not publicly available. He is the co-founder and CEO of NanoForge AI, a company that is building a digital materials lab to automate materials research and development. The company has secured seed funding from FuturePlay and Mashup Ventures.
More AI in Climate / Energy companies
Official website: https://nanoforgeai.com