What INAVI Systems does

INAVI Systems is a South Korea-based location-based services (LBS) company founded in 1994 (as Nara Geographic Information) and converted to a corporation in 2000. Since 2014 it has operated as a subsidiary of Thinkware, a Korean automotive electronics company. INAVI built Korea's first nationwide vehicle navigation digital map and has accumulated 7,365 days of continuous live mapping covering 3,338,213 km, producing proprietary map data that is updated weekly across more than 100 mapping attributes and processed through a proprietary big data cloud infrastructure. The company maintains top-10 weekly POI search rankings in South Korea, signaling meaningful consumer engagement with its iNavi Air mobile app.

The company's product portfolio spans three layers. At the data and platform layer, INAVI operates the INAVI Maps Platform with Maps API, Navigation API, and Search API (iMPS), plus SDKs for Web (JavaScript), iOS, and Android. At the consumer layer, the iNavi Air mobile navigation app on iOS and Android supports Apple CarPlay. At the automotive and enterprise layer, INAVI supplies embedded navigation (featuring Extreme 3D, aerial maps, and AR), connected OEM navigation with real-time updates and voice control, and B2B platform services to enterprise customers such as Baedal Minjok, CJ Korea Express, Kakao VX, Samsung Heavy Industries, and LG U+. The company also supplies map data to TomTom for the European market under a Digital Cockpit partnership and supplies traffic/incident data back to TomTom.

INAVI monetizes through a mix of OEM/embedded navigation supply, B2B API/data licensing, enterprise platform subscriptions, traffic and incident data monetization, and a freemium consumer mobile app. It has raised a total of ~₩18B (Seed ₩3B in 2019, Series A ₩7B in 2022, Series A Bridge ₩8B in 2022). Distribution is multi-channel: self-serve mobile app stores, automotive OEM pre-installation, B2B API platform, and global channel partnership with TomTom. The company holds multiple national R&D awards (MOLIT, MOTIE, MSIT) and certifications including ISO 27001:2022, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and CMMI Level 2.

Name

INAVI Systems

Legal name

INAVI Systems Corp. (주식회사 아이나비시스템즈)

Website

https://inavisys.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

INAVI Systems is a South Korean location-based services company that provides real-time navigation maps, APIs, embedded vehicle navigation, and B2B platform services to consumers, automotive OEMs, and major Korean platforms including Naver, Baedal Minjok, and Kakao VX.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Navigation and Mapping Software

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (51821), Computer Systems Design Services (541512)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Enterprise PaaS (App Runtime & Managed Application Platforms) (HDAEAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Managed Application Platforms (App PaaS & Runtime Services) (HDABAAAD)

Keywords

• Digital mapping services
• Navigation software
• Location-based services
• Automotive navigation systems
• Map data APIs

Headquarters

HQ city

Seongnam

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Map Data and API Licensing: INAVI licenses its map data, APIs, and SDKs to app developers, businesses, and platform operators. Developers integrate INAVI's map, search, and routing services into their own applications via the iMPS platform. This is a recurring/licensing model serving both individual developers and enterprise customers.
2. Automotive OEM Navigation Supply: INAVI supplies embedded and connected navigation systems to automotive OEMs and vehicle manufacturers, including Samsung Heavy Industries safety navigation and automotive OEM navigation platforms.
3. B2B Platform Services: INAVI provides map platform services to enterprise customers such as Baedal Minjok (Baemin map platform), Kakao VX (navigation development), and CJ Korea Express (middle-mile routing technology), customising solutions for logistics and mobility industries.
4. Traffic and Incident Information Supply: INAVI supplies real-time traffic information and incident data to navigation platforms including TomTom (Europe) and domestic partners, monetising its proprietary traffic data.
5. Mobile App (iNavi Air): Consumer mobile navigation app available on iOS and Android, featuring real-time traffic, route planning, and CarPlay integration. Revenue may derive from premium features or advertising within the app.

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

INAVI Systems builds and operates a proprietary location-based services platform that delivers continuously updated map data, navigation, and POI search to consumer mobile apps (iNavi Air), embedded and connected automotive OEM navigation systems, and developer-facing Maps/Navigation/Search APIs and SDKs. The company monetizes its map database through API licensing, OEM supply contracts, B2B platform services to logistics and mobility companies, and traffic/incident data supply to global navigation partners.

Product overview

INAVI Systems operates a platform-plus-modules architecture anchored by the INAVI Maps Platform, which serves as the core data and services layer. Above this, the company offers three primary product lines: (1) Developer-facing APIs and SDKs — including the Web Maps API (JavaScript), Android SDK, and iOS SDK — which expose map, search, route, marker, and geofencing functions to third-party application developers; (2) Consumer-facing mobile navigation via the iNavi Air app for iOS and Android with Apple CarPlay support; and (3) Automotive OEM and embedded navigation solutions featuring Extreme 3D, aerial maps, and augmented reality (AR) for connected vehicles. All layers draw on INAVI's proprietary map data, updated weekly across 100+ mapping attributes, processed through a big data cloud and Live Mapping infrastructure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• INAVI Maps Platform / iMPS (Maps API, Navigation API, Search API) Developer-facing platform exposing map, search, and route navigation APIs/SDKs for Web, iOS, and Android, enabling app developers, platform operators, and businesses to integrate INAVI's map data, geocoding, search, route calculation, polygon area, markers, and map interaction controls into their own applications.
• iNavi Air (아이나비에어) Consumer-facing mobile navigation app for iOS and Android that delivers INAVI's map data and routing technology to individuals, with integrated POI search, real-time traffic, and Apple CarPlay connectivity for in-vehicle use.
• Mobile Maps SDK (iOS and Android) Software development kits for Android and iOS that allow developers to embed INAVI's mobile map rendering, shape rendering (markers, routes, info windows, figures), location icon controls, and navigation features inside their own mobile applications.
• Embedded Navigation (차량용 내비게이션) In-vehicle embedded navigation system featuring Extreme 3D maps, aerial imagery, and augmented reality (AR) navigation, with real-time map updates and voice recognition control for an advanced connected driving experience.
• Automotive OEM Navigation Connected OEM navigation solution for automotive manufacturers, integrating real-time map updates, voice recognition control, and seamless vehicle interface integration to deliver an optimal connected driving environment.
• TMS Demo (RouteOne) Transportation management system demonstration platform powered by INAVI's routing and location technology, targeting fleet and logistics management use cases for prospective enterprise customers.
• Map Data and Traffic/Incident Information Supply Supply of proprietary map data and real-time traffic/incident information to global navigation platforms and partners (e.g., TomTom) for use in their digital cockpits, navigation services, and content libraries.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,338,213 km driven for map data collection (equivalent to 76 Earth circumnavigations)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability7 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Inha University (인하대학교)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024INAVI signed an MOU with Inha University in 2024 for cultivating advanced industry professionals in cutting-edge industry fields. A similar MOU was signed with Inha University in 2022 for software development talent cultivation.
• Ajou University (아주대학교)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024INAVI signed an MOU with Ajou University in 2024 for industry-academia-research cooperation in the future mobility field, supporting talent development and collaborative research.
• TomTom (Europe's #1 Map Supplier)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023INAVI entered an official partnership with TomTom Digital Cockpit in 2023, becoming TomTom's official map data supplier for the European market. This partnership enables INAVI to distribute its Korean and Asian map data through TomTom's global digital cockpit platform. Additionally, INAVI began receiving TomTom traffic information and incident data supply starting in 2021, creating a bidirectional data exchange relationship.
• Kakao VX (카카오VX)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023INAVI signed a development contract with Kakao VX in 2023 to develop the 'Forest Path' (숲길) navigation feature using INAVI's map data and navigation technology. This is a co-development partnership for a specific navigation product within Kakao VX's platform.
• CJ Korea Express (CJ대한통운)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023INAVI signed an MOU with CJ Korea Express in 2023 for the development of middle-mile route technology for 'the unban' logistics platform. INAVI provides routing and map technology to optimize CJ's middle-mile logistics operations.
• HL Klemove (HL 클레무브)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022INAVI entered a Level 4 autonomous driving technology cooperation agreement with HL Klemove in 2022. The partnership focuses on joint development of high-level autonomous driving technology combining INAVI's map and location capabilities with HL Klemove's autonomous driving systems.
• Inha University (인하대학교)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022INAVI signed an MOU with Inha University in 2022 for industry-academia cooperation in software development talent cultivation, supporting the company's recruitment and R&D capabilities.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• TomTom: TomTom is a global map and navigation platform serving automotive cockpits, mobile developers, and enterprise customers. INAVI is both a partner and competitor: INAVI supplies Korean map data to TomTom's Digital Cockpit in Europe while competing for B2B and API-based location deals elsewhere, making their product portfolios directly comparable.
• HERE Technologies: HERE is a global map data and location platform focused on automotive OEMs, transportation, and enterprise logistics. Both companies compete for embedded navigation design-ins with global automakers and offer location platform services to logistics and mobility customers, making them direct comparables in map content licensing.
• Mapbox: Mapbox is a developer-focused mapping platform providing Maps, Navigation, and Search APIs and SDKs across web and mobile. INAVI's iMPS Maps API/SDK platform overlaps directly with Mapbox's product offering in serving app developers and platform operators with map, search, and routing capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• Naver Maps (Naver Labs): Naver operates Korea's dominant consumer mapping platform, embedded across Naver search and portal traffic. INAVI has historically built map network data and web maps for Naver (2014-2020), so the two are deeply entangled; Naver Maps is also an incumbent in navigation, POI search, and developer APIs, overlapping INAVI's core Korean offerings.
• Kakao Mobility: Kakao Mobility is Korea's dominant ride-hailing, taxi, and navigation platform, with Kakao VX as its navigation arm. INAVI develops navigation for Kakao VX (Forest Path), and Kakao Mobility operates as both a customer and broader incumbent in map-based mobility and taxi dispatch services in Korea.

Regional players

• AutoNavi (Amap): Amap (AutoNavi) under Alibaba is China's leading consumer mapping and navigation app with deep automotive and logistics integrations. While primarily serving China, the platform offers a comparable product mix (consumer app, API, automotive embedded, logistics), making it a relevant regional comparator for INAVI's full-stack navigation business.
• Baidu Maps: Baidu Maps is a leading Chinese mapping and navigation platform covering consumer, automotive, and developer API use cases. As a primarily China-focused incumbent with a comparable LBS stack (map data, navigation APIs, mobility), it serves as a useful regional benchmark for INAVI's multi-segment LBS positioning.
• Zenrin: Zenrin is a Japanese map data and navigation platform supplying automotive OEMs and developer APIs across Japan and parts of Asia. It competes with INAVI's automotive OEM and B2B platform offerings in adjacent Asian geographies and shares a similar emphasis on proprietary survey-based map data.

Others

• MangoBoost: While focused on different layers, MangoBoost represents the broader Korean tech ecosystem in which INAVI operates. It is included as an adjacent Korean technology company reflecting the regional ecosystem but is not a direct navigation competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about INAVI Systems