Liner, an AI-powered search engine tailored for students and academics, has secured $29 million in a Series B funding round, led by Samsung Venture alongside Intervest and Atinum Investment. This latest investment brings the Seoul-based startup’s total funding to $33 million, positioning it as a growing player in the academic tech space.
Co-founded by Luke Jinu Kim and Chanmin Woo, Liner specializes in offering credible, high-quality information retrieval from databases such as government records and scientific journals. With a user base of 10 million, including students from prestigious U.S. universities like UC Berkeley and Texas A&M, the platform focuses on academic disciplines rather than general AI tools. Two-thirds of its paying users are based in higher education institutions in the United States.
Liner’s generative AI capabilities enable users to ask complex questions related to academic research, such as analyzing literary works or conducting scientific calculations. The company is committed to reducing misinformation by strictly using verified sources, setting it apart from broader AI services like ChatGPT.
With plans to expand its workforce, particularly in San Francisco, Liner aims to strengthen its presence in the U.S. market. Samsung’s investment underscores the tech giant’s growing interest in AI-driven solutions, supporting Liner’s mission to revolutionize academic research and learning. (with inputs from agencies)