SphereAX
Category: Computer Vision
A leading Vision AI and information security company providing an integrated AI video analysis platform for public safety, industrial security, and environmental monitoring. SphereAX was founded in 2008. The company is led by Park Yun-ha. Based in Daegu, South Korea. Team size: 170-180. Total funding raised: $6.7M. Latest round: Pre-IPO. Key investors include Lodestone Private Equity, AJU IB Investment, NH Investment & Securities.
- Founded
- 2008
- Headquarters
- Daegu, South Korea
- Team size
- 170-180
- Total funding
- $6.7M
Value proposition
Delivers highly accurate, real-time video intelligence by leveraging proprietary large-scale datasets and a specialized Vision AI engine, ensuring both operational safety and privacy compliance.
Products and solutions
dara: Integrated AI video analysis SaaS platform, AI dara: Proprietary deep learning-based Vision AI engine, FIREWATCHER: Intelligent wildfire smoke and flame detection solution, SAFEWATCHER: Industrial safety and field worker management solution, SECUWATCHER: Privacy-preserving video information security (masking) solution, VISCOPER: Intelligent search and object recognition video analysis tool, Eco.AI: AI-driven wildlife species identification and ecological monitoring system
Unique value
The company holds one of Korea's largest proprietary video datasets (over 19.3 million records), enabling higher accuracy in niche detection scenarios like wildfire smoke or industrial accidents compared to generic AI models.
Target customer
Local governments (B2G), public security agencies, large-scale industrial plants (B2B), and environmental organizations.
Industries served
Public Safety & Smart City, Environmental Protection, Industrial Health & Safety (HSE), Cyber & Physical Security, Information Technology (ICT)
Technology advantage
Possesses 'Class A' Data Quality (DQ) certification for its AI datasets; pivots the business from traditional security to 'AX' (AI Experience), integrating SaaS accessibility with edge-based security hardware.
How they differentiate
Differentiates through its 'AX' (AI Experience) strategy and the 'dara' integrated SaaS platform. It possesses one of Korea's largest proprietary video datasets (over 19.3 million records) with 'Class A' quality certification, enabling high-accuracy detection for niche scenarios like wildfire smoke and industrial safety compared to generic models.
Main competitors
Alchera, Intellivix, Hanwha Vision, MarkAny
Key partnerships
Daesin Information Communications: Master distributor for AI solution sales, National Institute of Ecology (Eco.AI development), Suseong Alpha City (Daegu): Key participant in the regional digital innovation hub, ASOCIO (Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organization): Multi-year award winner and international ICT partner
Notable customers
Daegu Metropolitan City (Smart City), National Institute of Ecology, Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Office, Various local government CCTV control centers
Major milestones
Founded as Wookyoung Information Technology in 2008, Launched first AI-powered privacy masking solution 'SECUWATCHER' in 2016, Raised 5 Billion KRW from Lodestone PE in 2021, Rebranded to SphereAX in July 2024 to pivot towards AI Experience (AX), Established Vietnam local subsidiary for global expansion in late 2024
Growth metrics
Targeting IPO in late 2025; valuation estimated at approximately 40 Billion KRW (~$30M) during 2022 Pre-IPO discussions; holds 62 patents.
Market positioning
Leading regional Vision AI and information security provider in South Korea, currently transitioning from a traditional security firm to a global AI SaaS challenger (Pre-IPO stage).
Geographic focus
South Korea (HQ), Southeast Asia (Vietnam local subsidiary, Thailand)
Patents and IP
Holds 62 patents (registered and pending) primarily focused on intelligent video analysis, privacy masking, and object detection algorithms.
About Park Yun-ha
Park Yun-ha founded the company in December 2008 as a one-person startup (formerly known as Wookyoung Information Technology). Over 15 years, he has led the firm to become a leading AI video analytics and information security enterprise in South Korea. He is a prominent figure in the Daegu tech ecosystem, serving as the President of the Daegu/Gyeongbuk ICT Industry Association and the Daegu/Gyeongbuk Venture Business Association. Under his leadership, the company successfully rebranded to SphereAX in 2024 to pivot towards AI Experience (AX) and global expansion.
Official website: https://sphereax.com/