What Perseus does

Perseus Co., Ltd. (operating as CyberPerseus) is a South Korea-based automotive system software company founded in 2016 that develops Xen ARM-based Type-1 hypervisors for Software-Defined Vehicles. The company's core product, PEGASUS, is a bare-metal hypervisor that allows multiple operating systems (Linux, Android, FreeRTOS, Zephyr, AUTOSAR Classic and Adaptive) to run concurrently on a single System-on-Chip, reducing in-vehicle semiconductor usage by up to 75% on average. PEGASUS is the first hypervisor globally to achieve ISO 26262 ASIL-D certification from DNV for both CPU (A-Core) and MCU (R-Core) architectures, an essential qualification for safety-critical automotive supply. The portfolio extends PEGASUS with AEGIS (secure hypervisor with fine-grained Mandatory Access Control and Secure Containers), TACHYON (Linux fast-boot solution reducing boot times from 15+ seconds to under 2 seconds), GAIA (custom MCU bootloader), and AEGIS-LET (lightweight secure OS on ARM TrustZone).

Perseus monetizes primarily through enterprise B2B software licensing of its hypervisor and security products to automotive OEMs, Tier-1 and Tier-2 suppliers, and semiconductor partners, supplemented by evaluation packages and development tools. Distribution is delivered through a direct enterprise field-sales motion combined with semiconductor ecosystem channels (ARM, NXP Gold Tier, Renesas PREFERRED, Infineon) and standards-body engagement (SOAFEE, COVESA). Pricing is quote-based and negotiated per program, consistent with multi-year automotive design-in cycles.

The company serves automotive OEMs building SDV platforms (with a contracted first commercial product shipment with a global top-three automotive brand in 2026), Tier-1 and Tier-2 suppliers integrating hypervisor-based architectures, and semiconductor vendors requiring system software enablement on their SoCs. Headquartered in Siheung, South Korea, with engineering offices in Seoul and Daegu, a software center in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, and a German branch in Munich, Perseus is led by founder and CEO Dr. Sangbum Suh (Cambridge PhD, former Samsung Electronics VP who led Tizen platform development). The company has raised approximately $12M cumulatively and is preparing for a KOSDAQ IPO with Daishin Securities as lead underwriter, with stated expansion intent into defense, smart factories, humanoid robotics, and artificial satellites.

Name

Perseus

Legal name

PERSEUS Co., Ltd.

Website

https://cyberperseus.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Perseus is a South Korea-based automotive system software company that develops Xen ARM-based Type-1 hypervisors (PEGASUS, AEGIS, TACHYON, GAIA, AEGIS-LET) enabling multiple operating systems to run on a single in-vehicle SoC, serving automotive OEMs, Tier-1/2 suppliers, and semiconductor partners including ARM, NXP, Renesas, and Infineon.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Embedded Software

NAICS

Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Server Operating Systems & Hypervisors (Virtualization) (HDABADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Real-Time & Industrial Control Processors (RT MCUs/PLC-class SoCs) (HDAHAJAL), OEM Embedded Connectivity & Telematics Platforms (TLAEAFAA)

Keywords

• Automotive hypervisor software
• Software-defined vehicles
• Embedded virtualization
• Automotive cybersecurity
• Functional safety software

Headquarters

HQ city

Siheungodong

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hypervisor Software Licensing: Perseus licenses its PEGASUS hypervisor and related security solutions (AEGIS, TACHYON, GAIA) to automotive OEMs, Tier-1 and Tier-2 suppliers. Revenue is generated through licensing fees, development support, and potentially annual maintenance/support contracts. The company is contracted to ship its first commercial product with a global top three automotive brand in 2026.
2. Evaluation Package and Development Tools: The company provides evaluation packages and software development kits (Workbench) for its hypervisor products, suggesting potential revenue from development tools and technical support services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Perseus develops and licenses a portfolio of automotive system software built on proprietary Xen ARM hypervisor technology. Its flagship PEGASUS is a Type-1 bare-metal automotive hypervisor that enables multiple operating systems (Linux, Android, FreeRTOS, Zephyr, AUTOSAR Classic/Adaptive) to run concurrently on a single System-on-Chip (SoC), reducing in-vehicle SoC usage by up to 75%. The portfolio also includes the AEGIS secure hypervisor with Mandatory Access Control, the TACHYON Linux fast-boot solution, the GAIA MCU bootloader, and the AEGIS-LET TrustZone-based secure OS — targeting automotive OEMs, Tier-1/Tier-2 suppliers, and semiconductor partners building Software-Defined Vehicles.

Product overview

Perseus is an automotive system software company offering a portfolio of five interconnected solutions built on its proprietary Xen ARM hypervisor technology. PEGASUS is the flagship Type-1 automotive hypervisor enabling multiple OS to run on a single SoC (reducing semiconductor usage by ~75%); AEGIS extends PEGASUS with integrated security-by-design including fine-grained Mandatory Access Control and Secure Containers; TACHYON delivers ultra-fast Linux boot (under 2 seconds) for safety-critical devices; GAIA provides custom MCU bootloader from PoC to mass production; and AEGIS-LET offers a lightweight secure OS running in ARM TrustZone for Cortex-M cores. The portfolio covers the full SDV software stack from bare-metal hypervisor virtualization through security isolation, fast boot, and secure kernel layers, targeting automotive OEMs, Tier-1/Tier-2 suppliers, and semiconductor partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PEGASUS: ISO 26262 ASIL-D Certified Type-1 (bare-metal) automotive hypervisor for CPU and MCU architectures. Enables multiple operating systems to run simultaneously on a single hardware unit (SoC).
• AEGIS
• TACHYON
• GAIA
• AEGIS-LET

Products and services

• PEGASUS Type-1 (bare-metal) automotive hypervisor that enables multiple operating systems (Linux, Android, FreeRTOS, Zephyr, AUTOSAR Classic/Adaptive) to run concurrently on a single System-on-Chip (SoC), reducing semiconductor usage by approximately 75% on average. ISO 26262 ASIL-D certified for both CPU (A-Core) and MCU (R-Core) architectures, A-SPICE compliant, RUST-based development. Targeted at automotive OEMs and Tier-1/Tier-2 suppliers building Software-Defined Vehicles.
• AEGIS Security hypervisor with proprietary IP-based security incorporating Secure Containers and Fine-grained Mandatory Access Control (MAC). Provides protection against DDoS attacks, external injection attacks, and malware through a real-time algorithm-based security-by-design architecture. Compatible with hardware from Renesas, NXP, STMicroelectronics, Infineon, and Samsung, and with operating systems including Linux, Android, and QNX. Designed for automotive OEMs and Tier suppliers needing OS-level security isolation.
• TACHYON Linux fast-boot solution using over 120 optimization methods (parallel driver initialization, systemd optimization, bootloader configuration) to reduce boot times from 15+ seconds to under 2 seconds (demo achieves 1.32 seconds). Supports CPU and MCU processors, C/C++ development, and hardware from NXP, NVIDIA, Renesas, Samsung, and Qualcomm. Designed for safety-critical automotive applications such as rearview cameras that must be operational within 2 seconds.
• GAIA Custom in-house developed bootloader for microcontrollers (MCUs) that supports both proof-of-concept and mass production. Tailored to customer requirements with support for various architectures, and used for production and testing of evaluation boards. Targeted at automotive embedded projects requiring a tailored, reliable MCU boot path.
• AEGIS-LET Lightweight secure-OS developed for ARM Cortex-M cores using TrustZone technology. Enables instant transition to a trusted secure environment for running security-sensitive tasks such as handling personal data or financial transactions on constrained automotive microcontrollers. Designed for security-critical microcontrollers in connected vehicles.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduces in-vehicle SoC usage by up to 75% on average
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration17 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, strategic and historical.

• Infineon TechnologiesflagshipTechnology or Integration · 11 March 2026Official partner of Infineon (Germany). PEGASUS hypervisor released for Infineon's AURIX TC4Dx evaluation platform. Integration program delivered production-oriented development and testing stack. Platform available through Infineon's IFX ecosystem and partner database.
• ArmflagshipTechnology or IntegrationOfficial partner of Arm (UK). Perseus is an active member of SOAFEE advancing SDV ecosystem development. Hypervisor technology optimized for ARM architectures including Cortex-A and Cortex-R cores.
• NXPflagshipTechnology or IntegrationNXP Gold Tier partner. Perseus hypervisor supports NXP automotive platforms including NVIDIA-based solutions. Partnership enables broad hardware board support for automotive market.
• Renesas ElectronicscoreTechnology or IntegrationRenesas PREFERRED partner. Conducted successful PoC projects with Renesas for hypervisor technology. Hypervisor supports Renesas MCU platforms.
• Fraunhofer Institute IESEstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developing virtual functional safety verification platform with Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering (IESE). Platform designed to reduce cost and time required to validate new automotive technologies.
• SOAFEE (Scalable Open Architecture for Embedded Edge)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member of SOAFEE industry organization advancing Software-Defined Vehicle ecosystem development. Contributing to SDV standards and architecture specifications.
• COVESA (formerly GENIVI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed Hypervisor API standardization project at GENIVI (now COVESA). Active participation in automotive open-source standards development.
• Samsung ElectronicshistoricalTechnology or IntegrationSelected for Samsung C-Lab Outside program (2020). Historical connection through CEO's 13-year tenure at Samsung leading Tizen platform development. Perseus maintains Samsung Office in Seoul.
• HyundaicoreTechnology or IntegrationSelected for Hyundai zero one program (2023). Multiple participation in Hyundai-Kia Open Innovation Program (2019, 2020, 2023).

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BlackBerry QNX: BlackBerry's QNX division offers the QNX Hypervisor, the most widely deployed safety-certified automotive hypervisor. It is a direct competitor to PEGASUS, serving the same automotive OEMs and Tier-1s with a Type-1 hypervisor that consolidates multiple OS on a single SoC.
• Green Hills Software: Green Hills provides the INTEGRITY Multivisor, a safety-certified (ISO 26262 ASIL-D) embedded hypervisor used across automotive, aerospace, and industrial. It directly competes with Perseus in the safety-critical, multi-OS automotive hypervisor category.
• Wind River Systems: Wind River offers VxWorks and the Helix Virtualization Platform, an embedded hypervisor widely used in automotive, industrial, and aerospace. It is a direct peer, selling into the same Tier-1 and OEM customer base as Perseus.
• SYSGO: SYSGO's PikeOS is a safety-certified (ASIL-D, DO-178C, IEC 61508) Type-1 hypervisor for automotive, railway, aerospace, and industrial. It competes head-to-head with PEGASUS in mixed-criticality automotive consolidation use cases.
• Lynx Software Technologies: Lynx offers LynxSecure and the Mojave separation kernel/hypervisor, targeting safety- and security-critical embedded systems including automotive. It is a direct peer in the certified hypervisor segment.
• OpenSynergy (Bosch): OpenSynergy's COQOS hypervisor is a leading automotive-grade hypervisor, now part of Bosch's mobility business. It is one of the closest direct competitors to Perseus in cockpit and ADAS consolidation.

Broad incumbents

• Elektrobit (Continental): Elektrobit provides automotive basic software, hypervisor integration, and AUTOSAR stacks used by most global OEMs. It is a broader incumbent offering hypervisor services as part of a wider automotive software portfolio, comparable to Perseus's full-stack automotive system-software approach.
• ETAS (Bosch): ETAS, a Bosch subsidiary, offers RTA-HVR, an automotive safety hypervisor, alongside middleware and development tools. As a broad incumbent in automotive safety software, it overlaps with Perseus in the hypervisor layer for safety-critical ECU consolidation.
• Red Hat: Red Hat contributes to Automotive Grade Linux (AGL) and provides enterprise-grade virtualization (KVM/RHV) that increasingly targets SDV platforms. It is a broad incumbent whose virtualization technology competes at the orchestration and consolidation layer of the SDV stack.

Emerging players

• Vector Informatik: Vector Informatik provides AUTOSAR basic software, embedded tooling, and increasingly hypervisor-adjacent solutions for automotive E/E architectures. As a Tier-1-focused automotive software specialist, it is an emerging player overlapping with Perseus's customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds6 records

Investors10 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 Perseus