Datumo Secures $15.5M to Bolster Enterprise AI Safety

Seoul, South Korea - As companies worldwide grapple with implementing generative AI responsibly, Korean startup Datumo has positioned itself as a key player in addressing these challenges. The company announced a $15.5 million funding round this week, bringing its total funding to approximately $28 million. Notable investors include Salesforce Ventures, KB Investment, and ACVC Partners.

From Data Annotation to AI Safety Leader

Founded in 2018 as SelectStar by CEO David Kim and five KAIST alumni, Datumo began as a data annotation platform that rewarded users for labeling data during their free time. The company quickly gained traction, securing contracts with major Korean corporations like Samsung, LG Electronics, and SK Telecom.

"We started by solving the tedious problem of data annotation," Kim explained. "But as the large language model ecosystem developed, our clients began asking for more comprehensive solutions."

Addressing the Explainability Gap

A recent McKinsey report highlights a critical gap in enterprise AI adoption: while 40% of companies consider AI explainability a major risk, only 17% are actively addressing it. Datumo's evolution from data annotation to providing tools for testing and monitoring AI models directly responds to this challenge.

Co-founder Michael Hwang noted: "When clients asked us to score AI outputs or compare different models, we realized we were already performing AI model evaluation. This led us to develop Korea's first benchmark dataset focused on AI trust and security."

Market Traction and Future Plans

With over 300 clients and annual revenue of approximately $6 million, Datumo has established itself as a trusted partner for Korean enterprises navigating AI implementation. The new funding will accelerate development of their platform that enables companies to:

• Test AI model outputs
• Monitor performance metrics
• Improve security protocols
• All without requiring deep technical expertise

The company plans to expand its solutions globally as demand for responsible AI grows across industries.

Key Points:

• Datumo raises $15.5M in Series B funding led by Salesforce Ventures
• Company pivoted from data annotation to comprehensive AI safety solutions
• Serves major Korean corporations including Samsung and LG
• Addresses critical need for explainable and secure AI systems
• Plans international expansion with new capital