NAVER D2SF–backed Nota AI, a pioneer in AI model compression and optimization, has officially listed on the KOSDAQ market, marking a major milestone for South Korea’s deep tech sector. The company’s public debut reflects investor confidence in the growing global demand for lightweight, efficient AI systems that can operate on the edge rather than in the cloud.

From Startup to Public Company: The NAVER Connection

Founded in 2015, Nota AI was an early bet for NAVER D2SF, the corporate venture capital arm of tech giant NAVER. D2SF’s backing positioned Nota AI to scale its innovations in AI model optimization—a field that’s quickly becoming mission-critical as enterprises wrestle with the spiraling costs of large AI models.

Nota’s proprietary platform, NetsPresso®, enables developers to compress and optimize AI models without sacrificing accuracy or performance. This technology is central to what’s now being termed “AI lightweighting”—a process that trims resource-hungry AI models so they can run efficiently on smaller devices and embedded systems.

As enterprises push AI deeper into physical systems like autonomous vehicles, drones, and robotics, Nota’s edge-oriented approach is attracting increasing attention. Its partnerships with NVIDIA, Samsung Electronics, Qualcomm, Arm, and Sony underscore the strategic importance of this space.

The Power of Physical AI

In a market dominated by cloud-based AI infrastructure, Nota AI’s edge-first strategy sets it apart. Its optimization technologies directly tackle one of AI’s biggest challenges: energy and compute efficiency. This is especially vital for “Physical AI” applications, where latency, cost, and real-time decision-making define success.

In recognition of its technical edge, CB Insights recently named Nota AI among the “2025 Global Innovative AI Startups 100.” The company’s flagship video intelligence solution, Nota Vision Agent (NVA), extends its AI capabilities to real-world monitoring systems. Using a Vision-Language Model (VLM), NVA applies generative AI to analyze complex video streams directly on-device—boosting privacy, speed, and reliability.

Post-IPO Growth and Global Strategy

Following its KOSDAQ listing, Nota AI plans to double down on R&D and expand into new high-demand sectors. The company is eyeing key markets in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East, targeting global semiconductor firms and device manufacturers that are integrating AI at the hardware level.

Nota also sees significant opportunity in defense, aerospace, and industrial automation, where edge AI can deliver mission-critical intelligence without reliance on cloud connectivity. Strategic collaborations with embedded technology leaders are expected to accelerate this expansion.

Financially, Nota AI is showing impressive momentum. Annual revenue jumped from $2.52 million in 2023 to $5.89 million in 2024, with projections reaching $10.17 million by 2025. The company aims to achieve profitability by 2027, a target that seems plausible given its global client base, which includes Fortune Global 500 enterprises and the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Building an “AI Everywhere” Future

Nota AI’s CEO, Myungsu Chae, views the IPO as more than a capital event—it’s a statement of intent.

“This IPO is a crucial strategic decision that goes beyond mere capital procurement,” said Chae. “It’s an opportunity to earn the trust of the global market and establish a robust foundation for exponential future growth.”

Chae emphasized that Nota AI’s long-term vision—“AI Everywhere”—focuses on enabling intelligent systems to operate seamlessly across devices, networks, and industries. By bridging the gap between high-performance AI and real-world deployment constraints, the company is positioning itself at the heart of the next era of AI adoption.

A Benchmark for South Korea’s AI Ecosystem

Nota AI’s successful listing also signals the maturity of South Korea’s AI innovation ecosystem. With strong backing from NAVER and collaboration with global tech leaders, the company exemplifies how homegrown startups can compete in a market long dominated by U.S. and Chinese players.

As AI becomes more embedded in everyday devices—from smart cameras to autonomous vehicles—model efficiency will be the new currency of innovation. Nota AI’s breakthrough in model compression places it in a sweet spot to lead that transformation.

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