생태계 복원과 생물다양성 보전을 기술로 해결하는 네이처 테크(Nature-Tech) 기업 ‘인베랩’ > NEWS

Shin Wonhyeop, CEO of InvaLab
Provides solutions that detect biodiversity risks and opportunities through remote sensing and restore ecosystems using seed-based methods
Developing two core solutions—NatureBlitz and NatureX—built on technological convergence, efficiency, and sustainability as key competitive advantages

InvaLab is a nature-tech company that uses technology to address ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation. The company provides solutions that identify biodiversity risks and opportunities through remote sensing and restore ecosystems using seed-based methods. It was founded in September 2023 by CEO Shin Wonhyeop (age 35).

The company’s main items are two solutions: NatureBlitz and NatureX.
NatureBlitz is an on-site customized ecological restoration solution that combines drone, AI, and geospatial technologies to perform, in a one-stop process, the detection and removal of invasive alien plants, the seeding of native plants (seed balls), and post-monitoring.

Compared to existing labor-centered methods, it can reduce cost and time while increasing restoration effectiveness. It is being used in ecological restoration projects linked to the ESG initiatives of government, public institutions, and companies.

NatureX is a SaaS-based digital-twin platform that combines drone, satellite, and LiDAR data with AI ecological models to convert biodiversity and environmental monitoring into data and indicators. It supports companies and governments in managing carbon, biodiversity, and natural-capital risks in accordance with TNFD and ESG reporting systems.

InvaLab’s competitiveness can be summarized in three points.
First is technological convergence, which integrates drones, AI, LiDAR, and digital-twin technologies to manage the entire process from restoration execution to data-based performance management.
Second is efficiency, enabling large-scale ecological restoration faster and at lower cost than labor-centered methods, with high precision and objectivity.
Third is sustainability, as NatureBlitz and NatureX are linked to create a structure in which on-site restoration outcomes directly connect to ESG and TNFD reporting, providing practical value to both governments and companies.

InvaLab is currently expanding its sales channels in the B2G market. It is securing initial references by participating in public projects such as wildfire-affected area restoration and the removal and management of ecosystem-disturbing plants. At the same time, in the B2B market, it carries out restoration projects linked to corporate ESG and carbon-neutral activities and provides ESG reporting indicators based on the activities and analyses.

How did CEO Shin come to start the company?
“While earning my Ph.D. in plant ecology and remote sensing, I conducted in-depth research in the field of ecological restoration. Through research and field experience, I directly felt that restoration work is highly site-dependent and labor-intensive. During this process, I developed the awareness that ‘without technology-based innovation, the limitations of ecological restoration will continue to repeat’, and I decided to start a company to solve this problem. I secured initial funding through government R&D projects, startup support programs, and early-stage investment, which allowed me to focus on technology development and prototype production.”

InvaLab completed its Seed round investment in November 2024 and is currently pushing forward with technology advancement and market expansion, with the goal of attracting a Pre-A investment in the second half of 2026. The company especially plans to advance NatureX and enter the global ecological restoration analytics market in earnest, preparing expanded solutions that meet domestic and international ESG and TNFD needs.

Since founding the company, CEO Shin said,
“When I see the innovations I dreamed of becoming reality one by one as actual products and technologies—and when I experience that this process is not done alone but created together with team members who share the same vision—it is rewarding. There are many difficult moments, but in that process, I can feel both myself and the company growing.”

Regarding future plans, he said,
“Our goal is to build a system that enhances ecological restoration efficiency using scientific, evidence-based data on a global scale. A key point is enabling restoration outcomes to go beyond simple environmental value and become investable natural-capital assets such as carbon credits and biodiversity credits.”

“Through this, restoration becomes an activity that allows investment and returns rather than a cost, and our ultimate vision is to create a sustainable ecological restoration ecosystem in which governments, companies, and investors all participate.”

InvaLab was recognized for its items and selected for the University of Seoul Campus Town program. The Campus Town program is a project in which universities and local communities cooperate to support economic revitalization around university areas. Companies selected for the program receive benefits such as facility rental support, free access to shared office equipment, partial support for utility and facility operation costs, and designated office space or co-working space, along with various startup support programs.

Founded: September 2023
Main business: Drone·AI·digital-twin–based nature ecosystem management; ESG·TNFD impact reporting solutions
Achievements:

• 2023: Ministry of SMEs and Startups – Pre-Startup Package

• 2023: Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation – H-OnDream Startup Ground, 11th cohort

• 2024: Ministry of SMEs and Startups – University Startup Package (early-stage startup)

• 2024: Ministry of SMEs and Startups – TIPS Program

• 2024: LG Electronics / LG Chem – LG Social Campus, LG Social Fellow 14th cohort

• 2024: SKT – ESG Korea 2024

• 2024: Ministry of Science and ICT – GovTech Startup Competition (Grand Prize, 1st place)

• 2025: Korea Forest Service – Big Data & AI Startup Competition in the forestry sector (Grand Prize, 1st place)