Floatic
6 known investors
Seoul-based robotics startup building Floware, an AMR and software system that automates e-commerce warehouse picking.
Also known as Floatic Robotics
Investors · 6
Also in the syndicate · 5
Company profile
researched Aug 2026Floatic (also referred to as Floatic Robotics) is a South Korean warehouse robotic solutions provider founded in 2021 and based in Seoul. Its product, Floware, is a robotic system for e-commerce warehouse automation that targets the picking process, which the company describes as the most time-consuming activity in fulfillment centers. Floware combines autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) designed specifically for warehouse environments with a management platform for optimizing warehouse workflow, including fleet management software, real-time performance dashboards, a 'Picking Guide' feature, and a modularized software algorithm intended to allow flexible operation and real-time management.
The company positions Floware as a complete solution covering integration, deployment and operation, which it says can be delivered in under six weeks with minimal infrastructure and investment cost, and claims productivity gains of up to 3.5 times compared with manual picking (Forbes reports a company claim of roughly three times versus manual labor). Floatic's robots are designed to work alongside existing warehouse management systems, and collaborative robots can be provided together with the controlling software. The company emphasizes vertical integration of both hardware and software, developing its own hardware and testing prototypes iteratively in live warehouse environments.
Founding story
Floatic was founded in 2021 by Chan Lee (also rendered Lee Chan) and Jisu Kim, together with Hoyeon Yu. CEO Chan Lee studied mechanical engineering at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) and previously worked at Naver Labs and at Woowa Brothers' Baedal Minjok delivery service; the company has been described as founded by intern developers at Naver Labs. Lee has said the team chose e-commerce warehousing because logistics is labor-intensive and unpredictable, and that he and his team took part-time warehouse jobs to understand operational problems firsthand. He has described raising early investment and approaching clients on the basis of vision and logic before a prototype existed.
Business model
Floatic develops and sells Floware as an integrated warehouse automation solution rather than standalone robots, covering integration, deployment and ongoing operation for customer sites. Its offering combines robots that can be used with existing warehouse management systems and collaborative robots that can be loaned out together with the controlling software system, an approach positioned to avoid additional infrastructure spending by the customer.
Traction
Floatic reported total disclosed funding of $8 million as of June 2024 (Forbes cited $10 million as of May 2024). It has conducted field tests with 3PL companies and local warehouses, completed pilot tests with major retail companies, and states its solution can raise picking productivity by up to 3.5 times relative to manual picking and be deployed in under six weeks.
Latest developments
In June 2024 Floatic announced a $3.8 million pre-Series A bridge round led by Capstone Partners, with Quantum Ventures Korea, Bluepoint, BNK Venture Investment and BSK Investment participating, to be used to expand R&D and further develop Floware ahead of commercialization. Cofounders Chan Lee and Jisu Kim were named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2024 list in May 2024.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography, history
Market position
Floatic operates in warehouse automation and logistics robotics in South Korea, competing in a segment focused on e-commerce fulfillment picking. It has been recognized as the only domestic Korean robot company represented on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2024 Industry, Manufacturing & Energy list, and has attracted investment from corporate venture arms of Naver, Kakao and Hyundai Motor.
According to the company, Floware differs from other autonomous robot offerings through complete vertical integration of the elements required for automation from software to hardware; deployment that does not require installing separate infrastructure and can be completed in less than six weeks; and modular software and hardware that can be adapted to specific customer requirements. Management frames the company as a provider of collaborative, problem-focused solutions for inbound and outbound warehouse logistics rather than a robot vendor, and cites continuous on-site testing and incorporation of customer feedback as a differentiator.
Technology
Floware is built on autonomous driving and multi-robot control technology developed for warehouse environments. It comprises purpose-built autonomous mobile robots plus a management platform for warehouse workflow optimization, with fleet management software, real-time performance dashboards, a 'Picking Guide' operator feature and a modularized software algorithm supporting flexible operation and real-time management. Forbes describes the robots as AI-powered. Floatic designs its own hardware and tests it in live warehouses, and the company describes vertical integration of software and hardware, rapid integration without separate infrastructure installation, and modularity of both software and hardware as core technical characteristics.
Go-to-market
Floatic has run on-site field tests with 3PL companies and local warehouses and formal pilot tests with major retail companies, and works with Korean logistics partners including POSCO DX and LogisALL as well as domestic fulfillment startups such as Techtaka and DoHands. Following its June 2024 raise, the company said it planned full commercialization in the second half of 2024, focusing on opportunities in the Korean market.
E-commerce operators' logistics and distribution centers, third-party logistics (3PL) providers, warehouse operators and retail companies. The company states that because its system requires no additional infrastructure, it is suited to small and mid-sized companies seeking to limit costs.
Geography
Headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, with field tests, partnerships and planned commercialization focused on the Korean market.
History
Founded in 2021, Floatic received a first round of investment from Naver Corp.'s D2SF and Kakao Corp.'s Kakao Ventures shortly after its establishment. In July 2022 it closed a pre-Series A round of 3.4 billion won ($2.6 million; also reported as $2.5 million), led by Be High Investment with participation from Hyundai Motor's ZER01NE, Korea Development Bank, the Industrial Bank of Korea and returning investor D2SF. During 2023 the company completed the fundamental structure of its product and ran pilot tests with major retail companies. In May 2024, cofounders Chan Lee and Jisu Kim were named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list in the Industry, Manufacturing & Energy category. In June 2024 Floatic announced a $3.8 million pre-Series A bridge round led by Capstone Partners, bringing total disclosed funding to $8 million, and said it would pursue full commercialization in the second half of that year.
Compiled by commissioned research from 8 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Timeline · 5
launches, deals, and filingsFloatic announced a $3.8 million pre-Series A bridge round led by Capstone Partners, with Quantum Ventures Korea, Bluepoint, BNK Venture Investment and BSK Investment participating; funds earmarked for R&D expansion and product development ahead of commercialization.
$3.8M source ↗
Floatic conducted on-site field tests with 3PL companies and local warehouses and collaborated with Korean logistics partners POSCO DX and LogisALL.
CEO Chan Lee and Director Jisu Kim were listed in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2024 Industry, Manufacturing & Energy category, described as the only domestic Korean robot company on the list.
Floatic wrapped up a pre-Series A round of 3.4 billion won ($2.6 million) led by Be High Investment, with ZER01NE, Korea Development Bank, the Industrial Bank of Korea and Naver's D2SF participating.
$2.6M source ↗
Floatic reported active collaboration with domestic Korean fulfillment startups Techtaka and DoHands.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
▸Research sources · 8
primary sources listed
- Floatic raises $3.8M for AMRs to tackle e-commerce pickingtherobotreport.com · web
8 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Floatic do?
- Seoul-based robotics startup building Floware, an AMR and software system that automates e-commerce warehouse picking.
- Who are Floatic's investors?
- Floatic's investors include Kakao Ventures.