Photo : Junho Cho, CEO of Cliwant.

To celebrate the launch of Tech Seoul, we started interviewing CEOs of Korean startups. Today, for the tenth installment, we caught up with Junho Cho, CEO of Cliwant.

Hello, Mr. Junho Cho, thank you for your time.  I think this interview with Junho Cho, CEO of Cliwant, a startup that analyzes RFPs based on artificial intelligence and data, will be very interesting and informative for Tech Seoul readers.

Q. Please introduce your company  

Cliwant, a South Korea-based startup, specializes in providing AI-driven software for analyzing requests for proposals (RFPs).

The innovative software leverages prompt engineering and contextual analysis to meticulously examine notices and texts, identifying relevant bid opportunities. It offers comprehensive keyword searches and automated email notifications to keep clients informed. By streamlining and enhancing the RFP analysis process, Cliwant enables clients to significantly boost their productivity and efficiency.

Q. What projects did you work on in 2024?

Cliwant launched its software in January 2024 and has since acquired over 50 clients. In March 2024, Cliwant was selected as an official partner startup by OpenAI during the K-Startup & OpenAI Matching Day event in the US, hosted by Korea's Ministry of SMEs and Startups. In August, Cliwant completed its Pre-A funding round and plans to expand into Singapore and the United States in Q3 of 2024.

Q. What's the story behind your company?

Junho Cho, the CEO of Cliwant, is a 14-year veteran global bidding expert with experience in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Korea. Junho, along with co-founders Kyle Jung and Seungdo Keum, met during the Antler program in Korea and established the company last September after securing seed funding from BonAngeles Venture Partners, a leading venture capital firm in Korea.

Q. How do you set project goals?

Our primary goal has always been revenue. It took us three months to develop our first MVP, and since then, we have consistently generated revenue and experienced continuous growth. All our business and technology actions are focused on generating revenue, which we achieve by acquiring new customers and retaining existing ones. We quickly iterate based on customer feedback and execution.

Q. What does success mean for you and your company?

For us, success is defined by revenue and contracts. Even if we develop great technology or achieve significant milestones, they hold no meaning if they don't result in sales. We strive to keep this perspective at the forefront.

Q. What companies are competitors and why are they doing well?

In Asia, we currently have no competitors. This was confirmed by a global research agency, Gartner, which approached us for research and stated that there is no similar software in their database in Asia. However, we are aware of a few competitors in North America. This drives our ambition to expand into the U.S. quickly, not only for business growth but also to compete and learn in the tech industry's hub.

Q. Where do you see your company in three years?

Global expansion is a major pillar of our plan. We envision ourselves successfully established in strategic markets such as the U.S. and Singapore, followed by further expansion into other regions. In terms of service, we currently provide bid matching and RFP analysis. We plan to expand into proposal creation and document automation to assist with daily tasks.

Q. In one word, describe yourself.

Although it may sound ambitious, my goal has always been "world domination". I believe in achieving this through global business. I see RFPs as a universal business language, as procurement systems are very similar across borders.