As we enter the Fourth Industrial Revolution, a wider range of technology has emerged at its core as opposed to technology that simply interworks with devices and systems. Among these forms of technology, maximizing the efficiency of AI (artificial intelligence) is something that has made our daily lives more convenient. Nota aims to utilize AI optimization technology to create a world in which AI is universal.
We met with Myungsu Chae, Nota’s CEO, and self-proclaimed cheerleader who has been the leader of Nota’s extensive journey. During the interview, we learned more about Myungsu’s thoughts on the way Nota’s AI technology can be used by different industries as well as the kind of talent Nota wants to work with.
Part 1. About Nota
About Nota in one sentence
Nota is a technology startup company that utilizes AI optimization technology to pursue the universalization of AI in various daily life activities and industries.
What is AI optimization?
AI optimization technology minimizes the amount of computation and accelerates the computation speed while maintaining the superlative accuracy of high-performance AI models. It is an AI source technology that enables high-spec AI models to be driven in small IoT devices as well as low-spec and low-power hardware.
Nota holds an incredibly significant patent called AI source technology1). What is the representative feature of Nota’s patented AI optimization?*
NetsPresso is an AI optimization platform that understands the hardware developed by Nota. NetsPresso streamlines the development process to reduce time and resources. It has been of great help to experts who majored in AI or have performed AI-related tasks for many years when it comes to working on difficult AI optimization tasks. Nota is currently providing NetsPresso as well as various solutions based on NetsPresso’s technology to customers and partners in numerous industries that require AI technology, an act that has positively affected our business acceleration and competitiveness.
1) Source technology refers to ① core technology that is indispensable for the production of a certain product. ② It also refers to original technology that does not depend on other forms of technology. ③Source technology must have the capability of producing a number of applied technologies
What other areas are you expanding solutions in other than the AI optimization platform NetsPresso?
Nota also runs a number of solution businesses based on NetsPresso.
Our representative solution businesses are intelligent transportation systems1) and mobility solutions2) that are required for the adoption of smart cities and autonomous driving technologies. We create AI-based solutions like NetsPresso that are optimized for target hardware. Our solutions have overtaken the existing solutions in domestic (Korean) and foreign markets in terms of hardware specifications and price as well as accuracy and stability.
1) AI Traffic Camera Solution, AI Traffic Signal Control Solution, AI Safe Crossing Solution
2) In-cabin Monitoring Solution, Driver Monitoring Solution
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Part 2. Nota’s Members and Talent
Could you tell us more about the people who work for Nota?
Nota has over 70 passionate crew members who unleash their outstanding abilities in an autonomous atmosphere. Roughly 70% of the crew works in R&D, while the remaining 30% works in business, strategy, marketing, and operations. Nota has a large number of talented members who make up the Nota crew.
What is the most important part of the hiring process?
When it comes to hiring, Nota considers how well an individual will fit with our crew members and organizational suitability to be as important as job competency. Job seekers say that one of the most important things they look for in their future employment is the opportunity to work with competent and collaborative colleagues. Nota has worked hard to create an environment that runs on smooth cooperation and communication. We want to create a space where people can focus on their work while minimizing their stress.
Why do you place such a high value on organizational suitability?
Organizational suitability is the reason we have been able to grow as far as we have. I believe it will continue to be our most important weapon when it comes to developing our domestic (Korean) and global competitiveness. Remote work has increased due to the pandemic that started two years ago. I am proud that Nota crew members have been able to communicate and collaborate with one another without any problems for such a long time. It’s all thanks to the value and trust the crew members have for everyone who works for the company.
In a nutshell, the growth of your Nota crew is also an essential part of the company’s overall growth. Are there any basic principles that Nota crew members need to follow?
There are important values and principles that every Nota crew member must adhere to, regardless of their position or team. There are four core values that Nota holds in the highest regard as well as eight leadership principles that were built on those core values. All of our crew members work hard to maintain these values and principles as they serve as an important yardstick for all decision making.
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Part 3. Achievements of Nota and Nota Crew Members
Have any major achievements come from following Nota’s philosophy?
Nota is the only startup company that has attracted strategic investment funding from major industry-leading conglomerates such as Samsung Group, LG Group, Naver, and Kakao Corp. Even though these are all companies that already use fairly high AI-related technology, they made strategic investments with our company on the premise of technical cooperation. It means a lot to us. We received the investment funding after successfully passing the incredibly strict technology and capability verification process for investment attraction, so we are very proud of ourselves.
Nota had some significant achievements in the Republic of Korea. How is the company currently performing abroad?
Nota has worked hard to build strong partnerships with leading global device companies NVIDIA, Intel, and ARM. Having experience with and being able to understand essential devices for AI operation are significant assets for a company, which is why it’s important for us to form partnerships with leading companies. ARM is the leading company in the edge market and is a company that all AI software companies, including server market leaders NVIDIA and Intel, want to partner with. We are in the process of discovering and establishing a technology roadmap that will help us gradually increase our achievements.
We’ve heard good things about Nota both domestically and abroad. Has there been any more good news recently?
Nota went through a business pivot and team rebuilding in 2018. We started out with less than ten employees in a small pyeong office, but have now moved to a new office with more than 300 pyeong (roughly 10,675 sq. ft.).
Where is the new office located? How is it going to be structured?
Nota’s new home is about a ten second walk from Exit 4 of Seolleung Station on Teheran Street in Gangnam. We actively took into consideration of the feedback we received from Nota crew members regarding improvements we could make to the office. Our new office will have the following: a focus room that can be used to improve work concentration, unassigned work seats where people can work while looking out at the stunning view of Teheran Street, and a reception area where crew members can experience the culture of Nota and increase their understanding of the company.
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Part 4. To End
What role do you want the Nota Team Blog to play?
I believe that all organizations, including startups, have their own characteristics, culture, and atmosphere. A company’s technology and business performance are important. However, an employee’s view of the company they work for is greatly affected by how much they agree with the values of the company. Unlike B2C companies with high external exposure frequency, B2B technology companies such as Nota face much less frequent external exposure. It is my hope that the Nota Team Blog will become a channel where current clients, potential clients, and potential Nota crew members can communicate with people who work for Nota. I also hope it will give current Nota crew members a chance to look back on the ways we have been able to cultivate a desirable work culture.
Is there anything you would like to say to your Nota Team Blog readers?
“We want to use the Nota Team Blog to support the future we envision. We look forward to creating that future together.”