Upstage acquires AI platform Timely

Upstage has acquired Timely, a generative AI multi-platform company. The firm plans to integrate its proprietary large language model Solar into Timely's AI platform and accelerate its push into the AI agent business.

Upstage announced Monday that it signed the acquisition agreement at its Gangnam office, with the chief executives and key staff of both companies in attendance.

Timely operates Timely AI — formerly known as Timely GPT — an AI platform that lets users build AI agents for workplace tasks without any coding.

Timely AI integrates a range of LLM-based functions, including prompt tools, image and video generation, and document conversion. The platform is used by the Seoul Metropolitan Government's pay-as-you-go AI service Seoul AI Chat, as well as local governments, public institutions and education organizations across the country.

Upstage plans to lead its AI agent push with a version of Timely AI powered by Solar, aiming to make customized workplace automation accessible not just to developers but to anyone.

The acquisition also fits into Upstage's broader diversification strategy. The company earlier acquired AXZ, the operator of the web portal Daum, expanding the channels through which it can distribute its AI models. With the addition of Timely, Upstage plans to accelerate its strategy of spreading its AI ecosystem beyond its existing business-to-business base to reach public institutions, the education sector and general users.

"Through this combination, people will be able to feel the real impact of AI, and it will raise the AI competitiveness of the entire nation to the next level," Upstage CEO Kim Sung-hoon said.