Bon attracts 17 billion won in seed investment

Defense tech startup Bone (CEO Lee Do-kyung) announced on the 18th that it has secured 17 billion won (approximately $12 million) in seed funding. This investment was led by US venture capital firm Third Prime, with Kolon Industries joining as a strategic investor. Timefolio Asset Management, Knet Investment Partners, The Ventures, and Base Ventures also participated.

Bon is a company developing autonomous robotics systems for national defense and disaster response, headquartered in Silicon Valley and Seoul. The company builds a full-stack robotics platform that integrates AI-based decision-making algorithms, precision hardware, and manufacturing technology to develop defense-grade autonomous systems capable of operating in real-world environments. In Korea, the company has established a manufacturing infrastructure capable of everything from design to mass production.

Michael Kim, a partner at Third Prime, which led the investment, evaluated Bonn's potential to lead "mass production of autonomy" based on its AI technology and precision manufacturing capabilities, and expected it to grow into a defense industry-based company suited to the era of physical AI. Kolon Industries stated that it is exploring various possibilities for collaboration that combine its materials technology with Bonn's robotics manufacturing capabilities.

Founded in January of this year, Bon aims to foster Korea as a hub for advanced defense manufacturing amidst the restructuring of the global supply chain. Beyond simple robot manufacturing, the company plans to build an intelligent defense industry ecosystem based on physical AI, driving new innovations in defense manufacturing. This investment will be used to secure key talent in AI, robotics, manufacturing, and factory operations, as well as to expand R&D and production capabilities.

CEO Lee Do-kyung stated his goal to redefine a Korea-centric global AI robotics ecosystem through a physical AI infrastructure that combines defense technology and manufacturing innovation.