AI webtoon generator Realdraw earns most votes at D.Day

Realdraw, a South Korean developer of artificial intelligence image generation technology, won the country’s oldest startup pitch race D.Day last month, underscoring the unwaning generative AI sensation.

The company is developing image-generating AI that can be trained in the unique drawing styles of different webtoon artists to aid them in perfecting their stories and reaching tight deadlines.  

Its engineers and developers are from Korea’s homegrown over-the-top (OTT) platform operator Watcha Inc. and major game publisher NCSOFT Corp.

Realdraw founded by Choi Sang-gyu raised seed funding from the Yoonmin Foundation and Spring Camp, both Korean venture capitalists, just three months after its inception.

The company is eligible for up to 300 million won ($228,000) in investment from D.Camp and follow-up investments by D.Day co-hosts and partners. It is also allowed to use an office at D.CAMP or FRONT1, startup support centers in Seoul, for up to one year.

The other August D.Day finalists will enjoy the same benefits.

Those include Raw Laboratory, the developer of airsupply, a software-as-a-service platform for business procurement management; Plume.D, the developer of virtual livestreaming solution AvaKit, using 3D avatars; Testbank, operating a service that converts study workbooks into digital formats; and Filmplace, which operates a content production aid platform.

All-in-one camping platform Campfit and Tictag, a global data company, were also highly touted for their services.

Tictag and Filmplace are based in Singapore, while the others were founded and operate in Korea.

August's D.Day, held on Thursday in Seoul, attracted 288 startups from home and abroad, resulting in a 41 to 1 competition rate.

D.Day is a monthly demo day organized by D.Camp, the Korean startup accelerator backed by the Banks Foundation for Young Entrepreneurs. It has been held every month since June 2013.

The September D.Day will be held under the theme of Clean Tech, according to D.Camp.

Write to Sookyung Seo at skseo@hankyung.com
This article was edited by Jennifer Nicholson-Breen.