SoftBank Ventures Korea Invests in AI Startup ObEN to Revolutionize Digital Identity
SEOUL & PASADENA – In a strategic move to advance artificial intelligence (AI) innovation, SoftBank Ventures Korea has announced an investment in ObEN, a cutting-edge AI company specializing in virtual identity technology. This funding follows ObEN’s successful $7.7 million Series A round in November 2016, marking another milestone in the company’s rapid growth trajectory.
ObEN: Redefining Digital Identity with AI-Powered Avatars
ObEN is at the forefront of AI-driven virtual identity solutions, enabling users to create photo-realistic avatars with just a selfie and a brief voice recording. The company’s proprietary AI technology brings these avatars to life by:
- Mimicking the user’s appearance and voice
- Learning mannerisms and daily behaviors
- Enhancing social and virtual interactions
“ObEN’s unique application of AI in creating personal virtual identities stood out during our evaluation,” said J.P. Lee, Partner and Managing Director at SoftBank Ventures Korea. “Their combination of speech recognition, computer vision, and natural language processing technologies positions them as leaders in the evolving AI landscape.”
Strategic Partnership for Global Expansion
The investment from SoftBank’s SB Next Media Innovation Fund will accelerate:
- Market research and outreach initiatives
- International expansion efforts
- Collaboration with key industry players
“This partnership with SoftBank Ventures Korea validates our vision and provides crucial resources for global growth,” said Nikhil Jain, Co-founder and CEO of ObEN. “We’re excited to leverage their expertise to enhance AR, VR, and IoT experiences worldwide.”
About the SB Next Media Innovation Fund
Launched in December 2016, the fund focuses on:
- Media content and platform technologies
- Virtual and augmented reality innovations
- Supporting companies in reaching global markets
Industry Impact and Future Outlook
This investment highlights:
- The growing importance of virtual identity in digital interactions
- SoftBank’s commitment to cutting-edge AI technologies
- The potential for AI to transform consumer experiences in AR/VR
ObEN’s technology represents a significant leap forward in creating authentic digital representations of users, with applications ranging from social media to virtual commerce.
About SoftBank Ventures Korea
Established in 2000, SoftBank Ventures Korea has:
- Launched over 12 funds
- Invested approximately $377 million across 210 startups
- Serves as the venture capital arm of the global SoftBank Group
About ObEN
Founded in 2014, ObEN is:
- An HTC VIVE X portfolio company
- Based at Pasadena’s Idealab incubator
- Pioneering personal AI technology for digital representation
For more information, visit oben.com.
ObEN is a trademark of ObEN, Inc.
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