Ling Universe Secures 200 Million RMB in Pre-A Series Funding, Double 11 Sales Surge 230%
Ling Universe Secures RMB 200 Million Pre-A Financing
On November 17, AI + consumer robotics company Ling Universe (Shanghai Ling Universe Technology Development Co., Ltd.) announced the completion of a RMB 200 million Pre-A series funding round.
Investors in This Round
Joint investment came from leading financial institutions and listed companies, including:
- Guofang Innovation (under Shanghai International Group)
- Guotai Haitong
- GF Xinde
- Didi Chuxing
- Lakala’s Koala Fund
- Runjian Co.
Existing shareholders also made additional oversubscribed investments.
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Investor Remarks
Guofang Innovation:
> “We’re not investing in AI hardware per se, but in the underlying paradigm of next‑generation human–computer interaction. The Ling Universe team has pinpointed the most pragmatic and commercially efficient path toward the future. We believe their intelligent human–computer ecosystems will unlock immense industrial value.”
Gingko Valley Capital (existing shareholder):
> “What matters most to us is Ling Universe’s grounded approach to AI-native Alpha generation users. Their visionary product design, sharp market entry, outstanding execution, and ability to build a ‘data flywheel’ underpin our continued optimism.”
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Company Vision & Funding Use
Ling Universe focuses on “companion” AI robotics for households and individuals, reshaping human–technology engagement.
Funding priorities:
- Product technology R&D
- International market expansion
- LingOS operating system enhancement
- Multimodal AI interaction improvement
- Developer platform & content ecosystem growth
The company aims to evolve an integrated hardware + software + services business model.
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Track Record & Market Traction
Within six months of founding, Ling Universe completed three consecutive financing rounds with investors such as:
- 37 Interactive Entertainment
- Xueda Education
- SenseTime
- Yaotu Capital
- Linear Capital
- Tsinghua SEE Capital
- Gingko Valley Capital
The latest round adds support from state-owned institutions, leading brokerages, internet strategics, and industrial giants.
Commercial Success
- Product: Ling Universe Little Square portable AI device
- 618 Shopping Festival: Ranked #1 in AI Toys and overall Toys categories
- Double 11 Shopping Event: #1 in JD’s AI Toys Brand Cumulative Ranking & SKU Cumulative Ranking
- Sales revenue: ↑230% compared to 618
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Product Philosophy: AI Growth Companion
Ling Universe Little Square:
- Eliminates downsides of children’s smart watches (entertainment addiction, social comparison, eye strain)
- Becomes a fashionable EDC for AI-native Alpha generation
- Moves beyond traditional screen-based learning
Core Idea: “The world is the classroom, and all things are teaching materials”
Through multimodal AI spatial interaction + proprietary relationship algorithm, the AI agent:
- Tracks user exploration paths & interests
- Builds long-term personalized AI learning companion
- Masterfully handles user–physical world interaction context
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LingOS: The Physical AI‑OS
LingOS is more than a device OS—it’s a multimodal AI agent platform with:
- Environment perception
- Emotional intelligence
- Memory (short‑ & long-term)
- Intent understanding
- Proactive awareness
- Autonomous execution
Strategic Goal
Build a closed loop of AI hardware + AgentOS operating system to create an ecosystem of “world of a thousand spirits, human–machine symbiosis.”
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Broader Tech Context: AiToEarn
Innovation in human–AI interaction converges with creator tools like AiToEarn:
- Open-source platform for AI content generation
- Instant cross-platform publishing (Douyin, WeChat, YouTube, X, etc.)
- Analytics & monetization
Learn more:
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Founder Profile: Gu Jiawei
- Former Head of Human–Computer Interaction, Baidu Institute of Deep Learning
- Researcher at Microsoft Research Asia
- MIT TR35 Global Innovator (2016)
Past Projects
- BaiduEye smart glasses
- DuBike smart bicycle
- HoloLens
These projects, once dubbed “ahead of their time,” are now aligning with AI tipping points like GPT.
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Strategic Approach & Data Flywheel
Lingverse’s path:
- Begin with consumer-grade AI hardware for home scenarios
- Build scalable deployment before tackling humanoid robots
- Accumulate human–computer interaction data to refine LingOS
Early product: Luka picture book reading robot — nearly 10M global units sold.
Strategic Partner: Didi
- First entry into embodied intelligence sector
- Chose Lingverse for closed-loop data + long-term tech alignment
- Shares vision of consumer-grade robot as data gateway and human–machine hub
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Investor Confidence & Market Position
For AI hardware, essentials include:
- Technological rigor
- Scenario depth
- Supply chain refinement
- User reputation
Didi’s expertise in scenario deployment + Lakala, Runjian Co., Guotai Haitong, GF Xinde = Industry Synergy + Capital Support foundation.
GF Xinde:
> “Expect Lingverse to become an ‘AI container’ in the new era—defining a new category much like Pop Mart did for designer toys.”
Guotai Haitong:
> “Lingverse’s ‘AI + companion robot’ ecosystem and vertical scenario mastery can grow into essential infrastructure for AI hardware.”
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Brand Philosophy
Robots should be “spiritual partners” — capable of:
- Understanding humans
- Offering companionship
- Empowering growth
Name Origin:
- Ling: inward reflection on body, mind, and soul
- Universe: outward exploration of cosmic mysteries
- Bridge between humans + machines, atomic + digital worlds, Eastern culture + advanced technology.
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Ecosystem Outlook
Platforms like AiToEarn complement AI hardware by enabling:
- AI content creation
- Multi-platform deployment
- Efficient monetization
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Future Vision
Ling Universe will continue to push AI + consumer-grade hardware into redefining human–computer interaction, forging a future of coexistence and mutual progress between humanity and AI.
In this evolving landscape, bridging embodied intelligence and scalable AI content ecosystems will be key to mainstream adoption — and to making the vision of a symbiotic human–AI future a reality.
