Executive Summary
Jaehyuk Lee is a founder and senior executive at MakinaRocks, an industrial AI company specializing in smart manufacturing solutions. Based in Palo Alto, California, with early experience in strategic planning and technology investment at SK Holdings, Jaehyuk Lee holds a degree from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Lee is positioned at the forefront of leveraging AI to transform manufacturing operations.
Professional Background
MakinaRocks
Position: Co-Founder
Location: Palo Alto, California, United States and Seoul, South Korea
LinkedIn: [Jaehyuk Lee on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/in/jaehyuk-lee-59131993)
Company Site: [makinarocks.ai](https://www.makinarocks.ai/en/)
MakinaRocks, co-founded in 2017 by Jaehyuk Lee alongside Andre Yoon, Sangwoo Shim, and Yongsub Lim, develops AI-powered solutions for industrial and manufacturing applications. Its technology focuses on:
- Proprietary AI and ML for anomaly detection and intelligent process optimization
- Enterprise MLOps platform, Runway (mrxrunway.ai), recognized for high-performance machine learning model development, deployment, and operation
- Global reach with offices in both Seoul and Silicon Valley
MakinaRocks' platform has been adopted by clients in sectors such as semiconductor manufacturing, chemical production, oil & gas, and industrial machinery, with a focus on improving operational efficiency beyond simple automation.
Previous Experience
- SK Holdings: Involved in strategic planning, emerging technology investment, and new business development. This background highlights Lee’s expertise in technology commercialization and corporate growth strategy.
Education
- The University of Chicago Booth School of Business: Advanced business and management education specializing in areas pertinent to technological innovation.
Company Performance and Industry Standing
MakinaRocks is widely recognized as a top-tier industrial AI innovator:
- Global Recognition:
- Featured in the 2023 CB Insights AI 100, the only Korean company listed in the manufacturing category.
- Included in CB Insights Advanced Manufacturing 50 (2022) as the sole South Korean winner in the ‘Factory Analytics & AI’ category.
- Achievements:
- $10M Series A funding raised from globally recognized investors, signaling robust financial health and market confidence.
- Awarded the MOTIE Minister’s Award at 2023 DXCon for outstanding contributions to industrial intelligence.
- Named among Korea AI Startup 100 for two consecutive years (2021, 2022).
- Growth:
- Founded in 2017, the company now employs approximately 85 people (as of October 2022), with 75% comprising technical staff, underscoring a clear focus on R&D and product development.
- Strategic Partnerships:
- Notable for its collaboration with SNUAILAB to develop advanced AI solutions for battery manufacturing and machine vision.
MakinaRocks Product Overview
- Runway (mrxrunway.ai):
- Described as a globally competitive enterprise AI platform, it supports scalable machine learning for industrial applications.
- Central to MakinaRocks’ value proposition is the deployment of AI at industry sites, enabling users to move beyond simple automation to data-driven operational improvements.
- Industry Focus:
- Manufacturing, semiconductors, chemical, energy, and infrastructure.
- Solutions target real-time control, predictive maintenance, process optimization, and anomaly detection.
Professional Interests and Insights
Lee’s focus aligns with:
- Empowering manufacturing clients to derive actual productivity gains from AI, not just automation.
- Driving innovation in machine learning operations (MLOps) for industry-scale deployment.
- Emphasizing investment in emerging technologies and continuous R&D to retain a leadership position in industrial AI.
Notable Achievements & Recognition
- $10M Series A Funding: Instrumental in securing significant venture capital backing—an indicator of market validation.
- Industry Awards: Minister’s Award at DXCon, multiple mentions on prestigious startup and AI innovation lists.
- Media and Thought Leadership: Recognized by mainstream and niche industry publications for his vision to transform manufacturing with machine intelligence.
Contact Information
- Company Headquarters: 11F/12F, 343, Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- Company Email: contact@makinarocks.ai
- Company Phone: +82-2-6245-1221
Summary of Key Points
- Jaehyuk Lee is a co-founder with deep expertise in strategic planning and AI-driven manufacturing innovation.
- MakinaRocks has established itself as a leading industrial AI company in Korea and globally, recognized for its innovation, robust funding, and award-winning MLOps platform.
- The company’s continued expansion in AI solutions for industrial clients—backed by significant investment and recognized by global institutions—positions Jaehyuk Lee and MakinaRocks as key players in the future of artificial intelligence for manufacturing.
