Wrtn Technologies, a fast-rising artificial intelligence startup based in Seoul, recently raised 108 billion won (approximately $73.5 million) in a Series B funding round. This major milestone highlights the company’s aggressive growth strategy and its plans to expand globally as a leader in consumer AI services.
Strategic Funding from Global and Regional Investors
A group of prominent investors contributed to the Series B round. Goodwater Capital, a Silicon Valley firm known for backing South Korean tech giants like Kakao and Coupang, led the funding. Existing investors — including BRV Capital Management, Capstone Partners, Woori Venture Partners, Sui Generis Partners, Antler, and Z Venture Capital — also returned to support Wrtn’s next phase of growth.
This new funding follows Wrtn’s pre-Series B round, which brought in 25 billion won just nine months earlier. With the latest capital, Wrtn’s total investment now stands at 130 billion won. The company has become the first South Korean AI service platform startup outside of the large-language-model and semiconductor sectors to exceed 100 billion won in cumulative funding.
A Vision Focused on Everyday AI
Wrtn Technologies develops AI-powered tools that simplify content creation and enhance digital communication. The team designs products that everyday users can access without technical barriers. CEO Lee Se-young continues to emphasize this mission. He envisions AI as an everyday assistant rather than a research lab curiosity. Under his leadership, Wrtn creates products that people can integrate into their lives easily and naturally.
The company’s flagship product, Crack, embodies this philosophy. Crack acts as an AI-powered virtual companion that helps users with personalized tasks — from writing support to creative content generation and conversational interactions. Wrtn initially launched Crack within the Wrtn app and quickly saw widespread adoption.
Crack: The Star of Wrtn’s Growth Story
Crack has played a critical role in Wrtn’s meteoric rise. The product combines several powerful language models — including integrations with OpenAI’s ChatGPT — to deliver an intuitive, real-time chat experience. Wrtn designed Crack for students, professionals, and creative users who need content generation, feedback, or companionship in their daily lives.
After integrating Crack into its mobile app, Wrtn experienced a surge in user activity and revenue. Monthly sales hit $1.36 million in December 2024, and the app became one of the fastest-growing platforms in the Korean market. Wrtn plans to release Crack as a standalone web and mobile app and has already prepared to launch in Japan and Dubai following its Korean rollout.
Rapid User Growth Outpaces Industry Benchmarks
Wrtn achieved remarkable traction in less than two years. The platform surpassed 5 million monthly active users (MAUs) by October 2024, just 22 months after its launch. This achievement outpaced other popular South Korean apps such as Toss, the digital banking app, and Danggeun Market, a secondhand trading platform, which took 39 and 24 months respectively to reach similar user bases.
Revenue growth matched the user spike. In November 2023, Wrtn posted 1 billion won in monthly sales. One month later, that figure doubled to 2 billion won. The momentum demonstrates strong product-market fit, especially in a competitive market like South Korea where digital services must evolve quickly.
Scaling Globally with Precision
Wrtn doesn’t plan to limit its success to Korea. The company already established offices in Japan and the United Arab Emirates and set its sights on global expansion. With part of the new Series B funding, Wrtn will invest in local market adaptation, user research, and tailored content development for each target region.
Japan, known for its high-tech consumer base, represents an ideal market for Wrtn’s interactive AI tools. The UAE, on the other hand, presents opportunities in education, business, and digital government — areas where Wrtn’s AI platforms could support a range of use cases from productivity to personalization.
The expansion strategy also includes partnerships with regional players and content creators. Wrtn wants to embed itself into cultural trends while maintaining its core AI capabilities. The team believes local engagement will strengthen user trust and accelerate adoption.
Investing in People, Platforms, and Innovation
Wrtn intends to use the funding in three key areas:
- Talent Acquisition: Wrtn plans to attract top AI researchers, engineers, and designers. The company has already built a team that balances technical expertise with user-focused design, and now it will scale that foundation.
- Product Development: With Crack proving successful, Wrtn wants to expand its features and explore additional services. New tools for real-time collaboration, voice interaction, and content curation sit high on the roadmap.
- Brand and Community: Wrtn recognizes the importance of community-driven growth. The team plans to launch educational content, workshops, and creator programs to inspire new use cases and deepen engagement.
Building a Platform Beyond a Chatbot
Wrtn doesn’t see itself as just another chatbot app. The team envisions a long-term platform — one where users shape their own AI companions, build creative workflows, and share insights with a global community. The platform design encourages interaction between users and their AI personas, giving each experience a personal, adaptive quality.
Future updates may include multiplayer collaboration, AI-assisted journaling, and cross-platform integration. Wrtn wants to create a digital ecosystem where people can use AI not just for tasks, but for exploration, learning, and emotional support.
The Korean AI Landscape Shifts
Wrtn’s rise has reshaped how Korean investors and entrepreneurs view the AI landscape. Until recently, most capital flowed into foundational model development and hardware companies. Wrtn demonstrated that consumer-facing AI services could also deliver strong returns and explosive growth.
By leading in user adoption, monetization, and market expansion, Wrtn carved out a new category — one where AI serves as a daily tool for real people, not just enterprises or researchers.
Other Korean startups have now started developing similar AI-driven apps, creating a wave of innovation in the sector. Wrtn, however, holds first-mover advantage and a strong brand identity, positioning itself as a leader with a human-centric vision.
Wrtn’s Road Ahead
With its war chest full and its user base growing fast, Wrtn stands poised to shape the next generation of AI-powered experiences. The company refuses to rest on early success. Instead, the leadership team continues to push boundaries in usability, creativity, and accessibility.
Crack will soon evolve into a standalone app with richer features, while the company’s expansion into Japan and the UAE will test its ability to localize and scale. Wrtn also plans to invest in ethical AI practices, with transparency, user safety, and inclusive design taking center stage.
Final Thoughts
Wrtn Technologies didn’t just raise 108 billion won — it validated a new model for AI innovation. The company combined cutting-edge technology, user-first design, and bold execution to build a platform people actually want to use. While competitors focus on theory and infrastructure, Wrtn focuses on people — and in doing so, it redefines what AI can look like in everyday life.
This funding round marks the beginning of a new chapter. With momentum on its side, Wrtn now looks to become not only a leading AI company in Korea, but a global force that empowers millions to work, create, and connect with the help of intelligent digital tools.
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