Hivelab Raises Series C+ Led by SK Securities Ahead of 2027 KOSDAQ Listing

Hivelab Secures Series C+ Funding Led by SK Securities

South Korean AI and customer-experience company Hivelab (하이브랩) has raised a Series C+ round led by SK Securities, with participation from Lakewood Partners. The funding date is reported as October 2, 2026. The company did not disclose the amount raised in this round.

What Hivelab Does

Founded in 2012, Hivelab pairs customer-experience (CX) digital services with applied AI through its AX research arm. The company works with enterprise clients and has commercialized proprietary products, including:

• AVIKO — a B2B AI work portal
• AXIMO — a digital-twin-based UI/UX personalization solution

Hivelab reports a client roster that includes Samsung Electronics, Cheil Worldwide, Hyundai Motor, Naver, and Netmarble.

Scale and Reach

According to the company, Hivelab employs more than 590 people and serves over 320 global clients. That combination of headcount and enterprise relationships positions it as a substantial player in the Korean AI services market rather than an early-stage startup.

Funding History and Stage

The new round is classified as Series C+, placing Hivelab in later-stage private capital territory. SK Securities led the round, with Lakewood Partners also participating. The company has not publicly disclosed the size of the round.

Path to Public Markets

Hivelab is preparing for a KOSDAQ listing targeted for the second half of 2027. The Series C+ round arrives ahead of that planned public offering, and the involvement of SK Securities — a securities firm — is notable given the company's stated listing timeline.

Why It Matters

Hivelab sits at the intersection of two durable enterprise demand areas: CX digital services and applied AI. Its proprietary products, AVIKO and AXIMO, give it commercial software offerings on top of its services business, while its client list spans electronics, advertising, automotive, internet, and gaming. For a company of its size, the KOSDAQ listing target provides a clear milestone for the coming years.

Key Facts

• Company: Hivelab (하이브랩)
• Founded: 2012
• Round: Series C+
• Lead investor: SK Securities
• Other investors: Lakewood Partners
• Funding date: October 2, 2026
• Amount: Not disclosed
• Employees: 590+
• Global clients: 320+
• Notable clients: Samsung Electronics, Cheil Worldwide, Hyundai Motor, Naver, Netmarble
• Products: AVIKO (B2B AI work portal), AXIMO (digital-twin-based UI/UX personalization)
• Listing target: KOSDAQ, second half of 2027