Korean AI Startup Infofla Gains Traction in Singapore Market

In a recent report, market research firm Dimension Market Research projected that the global artificial intelligence (AI) market will grow from $196.63 billion in 2024 to $1.85 trillion by 2030, reflecting a staggering growth trajectory. Major global corporations like Google, Microsoft, and NVIDIA are leading the charge in the AI market with a host of new products and technologies.

Infofla presents 'VLAgent' at the '2024 DIPS Startup 1000+ Relay IR Singapore' / Source: Infofla

Meanwhile, smaller startups and SMEs are making their mark on the global stage by offering specialized AI solutions tailored to specific sectors. Public institutions, including government and local authorities, along with organizations dedicated to identifying and nurturing promising startups, are playing a key role in supporting these efforts.
A notable example is the AI-based IT service automation platform company Infofla, led by CEO Choi In-Mook. Infofla recently participated in the “2024 DIPS Startup 1000+ Relay IR” event held in Singapore from August 18 to 20. At the event, Infofla showcased its generative AI-based automation solution, "VLAgent," which drew significant attention from local venture capitalists (VCs).
The DIPS Startup 1000+ initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korea Startup Promotion Agency, aims to cultivate future industry leaders and support their global expansion and investment efforts. The accelerator "SYP" oversees four key sectors: AI & Big Data, Eco-friendly & Energy, Next-Generation Nuclear Power, among others.

Automation process of 'VLAgent,' an Automation Agent Model Based on VLM / Source: Infofla

Infofla’s VLAgent, which was introduced at the Singapore IR event, stands for "Vision Language Model + Agent." This AI agent model uses VLM, a Vision Language Model that combines the large language models (LLM) foundational to generative AI with image processing capabilities. This approach addresses the limitations of traditional Robotic Process Automation (RPA), which relied solely on pre-programmed scripts.
The key strengths of VLAgent are its high versatility and user convenience. Regardless of the software in use, VLAgent can recognize any situation displayed on the screen and automatically execute user commands. This capability not only enhances user convenience but also effectively handles unexpected situations.
For example, when a user asks VLAgent to "show the way from Gangnam Station to Yongsan Station," the AI can autonomously move the mouse cursor on the PC screen, launch the Chrome web browser, type "Google Maps" into the search bar, and complete the process of finding the route from Gangnam Station to Yongsan Station.

Infofla Representatives Discuss with Local VCs at the Singapore IR Event / Source: Infofla

Additionally, VLAgent can be deployed in both cloud and on-premise environments, depending on the user's operational needs. As it continues to learn, its intelligence level gradually increases. One of the significant advantages is that it frees users from repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on more creative work. Given these features, VLAgent is expected to find applications across various fields, including customer service, education, manufacturing, and healthcare, beyond just automation of tasks and services.
In an interview, a representative from Infofla commented, "Although there are differences in language and culture, the interest in generative AI-based automation in Singapore is as high as it is in Korea. Following the Singapore IR event, three local VCs have shown interest and contacted us, and we are currently in discussions," expressing optimism about potential investments and market expansion.


Kim Yong-Woo (pengo@itdonga.com)