Leecell
South Korean developer of ultra-lightweight, flexible next-generation solar cell films based on organic-inorganic hybrid technology, spun out from GIST.
- CEO / Founder
- Lee Kwang-hee (이광희)
- Team Size
- 11-50
- Stage
- Growth Stage
- Total Funding
- $4.5M
- Latest Round
- Series A
- Key Investors
- Gwangju Union Technology Holdings; POSCO Technology Investment; Korea Development Bank; Korea Technology Finance Corporation; Ubiquoss Investment; Hyundai Investment Partners; Chonnam National University Technology Holdings
Technology & Products
Key Products
Next-generation solar cell film (organic-inorganic hybrid film-type); Low-light Photovoltaics (LPV); Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV); Mobility Integrated Photovoltaics (MIPV); Agrivoltaics (APV)
Technological Advantage
Proprietary wet-process technology for next-generation solar cells with 22+ domestic and international patents; GIST-originated organic-inorganic hybrid solar cell technology with 52 years combined team R&D expertise; Roll-to-roll (R2R) process enabling mass production at 1/3 cost of silicon.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Ultra-lightweight (1/10 weight of silicon), flexible film-type solar cells that can be applied to curved surfaces (buildings, vehicles, greenhouses) and generate power even in low-light/indoor environments, with mass production enabled by roll-to-roll processing at ~1/3 the cost of conventional silicon cells.
How They Differentiate
Unlike rigid, heavy silicon panels, Leecell's film is 1/10 the weight, highly flexible for curved surfaces, functional in low-light/indoor conditions, and mass-producible via R2R at 1/3 the production cost. Backed by 30+ years of GIST research and 22+ patents.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
B2B: window/facade manufacturers, mobility (automotive sunroofs), home appliance makers, IoT sensor companies; B2G: government and public institutions for zero-energy buildings (ZEB)
Industry Verticals
Construction/BIPV; Mobility/Automotive; Smart Windows; IoT Sensors; Agriculture/Greenhouses; Defense/Aerospace; Smart City Infrastructure
Competitors
Frontier Energy Solution (KR, perovskite solar cells); Soft PV (KR, spherical SMD solar cells); Flexel Space (KR, space-grade perovskite solar cells); Ace Inventor (KR, agricultural solar modules)
Growth & Milestones
Major Milestones
2022-11: Company founded by Prof. Lee Kwang-hee (GIST); 2023-10: Selected for Deep Tech TIPS program (₩1.5B R&D funding); 2025: Secured combined ~₩4B in research funding and investment; 2025-08: Received Ministry of Industry Award for next-gen solar cell technology; 2026-04: Selected for MSIT 'Unicorn Project' (₩1.8B additional support); 2026-06: Raised ₩4.5B Series A from 7 investors