Liner
Liner is an AI search engine that provides verifiable answers from academic papers and authoritative sources, used by over 10 million people worldwide. It was ranked the 4th most-used generative AI product on the web by a16z and has raised $44M in funding.
The growth story
Liner grew from 33 to 111 employees between 2022 and 2026, raising $44M along the way, most recently a Series B in October 2024.
About
Liner sells a search engine that targets students, researchers, and others who need credible information quickly. Its results are backed by academic papers, authoritative publications, and high-quality references, making it a trusted tool for fact-checking and research.
The company has grown to 111 employees and secured $44M in Series B funding in October 2024. Its user base of over 10 million highlights its rapid adoption, particularly among those seeking reliable information in an era of generative AI.
Founders and leadership
Engineering is the largest function at Liner, with 17 employees. The company is led by a team based in San Francisco, with a median tenure of 2 years, suggesting a relatively stable workforce.
The Liner org chart
Luke Jinu Kim (CEO) leads 18 mapped leaders with 2 direct reports. Click +N to expand a team; names link to the person’s public profile.
Departments, and which ones grew
Headcount by function: Engineering 33 (+22% YoY), Operations 13 (+18% YoY), Arts and Design 9 (+29% YoY), Information Technology 7 (+75% YoY), Business Development 6 (+50% YoY), Marketing 5 (-17% YoY).
Talent flow
Liner recruits heavily from South Korean tech companies like NAVER and Toss, as well as institutions like Yonsei University and UC Berkeley. Alumni often move to companies like Toss, IBM, and KakaoBank.
Most common previous employers of Liner staff: NAVER (3), Republic of Korea Army (2), Banksalad (2), Toss (2), Bucketplace (Ohouse) (2), Kakao (2). Former Liner employees most often moved to Toss (2), IBM (2), AfterQuery (1), Casca (1), 카카오뱅크 Kakaobank (1), SBC Strategy Consulting (1).
Alumni worth knowing
The Liner mafia
Liner alumni have founded four companies, including Paradot (Carat) and Endo Health, which have grown to 12 and 5 employees respectively.
4Jinuk Jang, was Growth Manager until 2019Brian Yun, MD, was Software Engineer until 2017Palash Shah, was Lead Engineer - Pittsburgh until 2025Web traffic
Traffic mix: 48% direct, 35% search, 6% social, 2% paid.
What this company is made of
Most common skills at Liner: Python (Programming Language) (20), Communication (16), Social Media Marketing (14), Project Management (13), Data Analysis (12), Machine Learning (11), React.js (11), Problem Solving (10).
Where the team actually sits
Liner people are concentrated in Seoul, South Korea (24), California, United States (6), San Francisco Bay Area (5), Seoul Incheon Metropolitan Area (3).
Search footprint
Liner attracts about 2,745 organic search visits a month, traffic worth roughly $4K a month if bought through ads. It gained 1,232 ranking keywords and lost 694 in the last period.
What employees say
- Compensation
- 4.00 / 5
- Career opportunities
- 4.50 / 5
- Senior management
- 4.00 / 5
- Work-life balance
- 4.00 / 5
Frequently asked
Liner has 111 employees as of September 2026.
Liner has raised $44M in total, most recently a Series B round in October 2024.
Liner was founded in 2015 by Brian(Chanmin) Woo.
Luke Jinu Kim (CEO) sits at the top of Liner's reporting structure, with 2 direct reports.
The most common previous employers of current Liner staff are NAVER (3 people), Republic of Korea Army (2 people), Banksalad (2 people).
Former Liner employees most often move to Toss (2), IBM (2), AfterQuery (1).
At least 4 companies have a founder who previously worked at Liner, including Paradot (Carat), Endo Health (a16z SR), Measured.
Liner attracts about 2,745 organic search visits a month, worth roughly $4K a month in equivalent ad spend.
The most common skills among Liner staff are Python (Programming Language), Communication, Social Media Marketing, Project Management, Data Analysis.
Liner staff are concentrated in Seoul, South Korea (24), California, United States (6), San Francisco Bay Area (5).
Liner has about 33 people in Engineering, up 22% over the past year, as of September 2026.
Liner has about 13 people in Operations, up 18% over the past year, as of September 2026.
Computed from 47 current and 80 former Liner profiles, as of September 2026. Source: Crustdata.
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