Super Rookie Startup 3Q3A Interview
‘COME UP’ is about rising, and nothing embodies this more than startups. These super rookies are stepping up to tackle real-world challenges and capturing our attention. At COMEUP 2024, the global startup fair held in Seoul, South Korea, we had the chance to meet and interview some of the most promising rising stars of the startup world.
*This article serves as a continuation of the previous one.
“Hyper-personalize your nutrition”
Algocare
Jiwoo Kwak / B2B Marketer
| Algocare is a Korean startup that offers personalized nutrition management services in real time, utilizing artificial intelligence. The company is developing an IoT-enabled nutritional supplement dispenser and a mobile app that dynamically combines nutritional supplements based on the user’s health data. |
Q. What sparked your business idea?
A. The inspiration came when our CEO, Ji-won Jung, explored the nutritional supplement market for health management. She recognized the need for innovation in personalizing health solutions. We aimed to address the challenge individuals face when researching, purchasing, and taking nutritional supplements on their own. Our concept combines our products and software to manage users’ health seamlessly, eliminating the inconvenience of this process.
Q. What’s the core technology behind your idea?
A. It’s made up of four key parts. First, we’ve got a healthcare AI nutrition algorithm, which was developed by expert pharmacists and researchers. Then there’s the nutrition engine—a machine that uses IoT to make everything work seamlessly. We also have these small nutrition bottles with memory chips, and lastly, a mobile app where users can manage their health in real time. In the app, you just pick keywords like “stressed,” “sleepy,” or “after drinking” to describe how you’re feeling, and the AI suggests customized nutrients based on that.
Q. What’s your next step for growth?
A. Currently, we primarily provide our products and services to Korean companies in the B2B sector. However, we are planning to expand into B2C. We are preparing to introduce the ‘Nutrition Engine’ as a home appliance. Following that, we aim to enter the global market.
“AI speaks the universal language”
Bebridge AI
Junghyun Park / CEO
| Bebridge AI is a South Korean company specializing in AI-driven content dubbing. The startup offers a solution that uses artificial intelligence to translate and dub audio into different languages while accurately replicating the original speaker’s voice. Their technology helps content creators reach a global audience by eliminating language barriers. |
Q. What sparked your business idea?
A. Initially, we were a company focused on helping content creators optimize their workflows with the adoption of AI. However, some of our clients expressed a need for dubbed content. We had previously completed projects involving dubbing between Korean and English, and the feedback we received from customers was very positive. As a result, we decided to shift the direction of our business to meet this demand.
Q. What’s the core technology behind your idea?
A. Using AI speech synthesis and natural language processing, we can replicate the characteristics of a speaker’s voice, such as pitch and pronunciation, while changing the language spoken. One of our core strengths is that we not only utilize AI technology but also incorporate the expertise of human professionals. While many of the issues related to the “uncanny valley” have been addressed, human review remains essential. Humans help fill in the gaps where AI may fall short.
Q. What’s your next step for growth?
A. Our primary challenge is to recruit companies that are interested in expanding their content businesses into global markets. At the same time, there is a clear demand for global companies to enter the Asian market. Our expertise lies in dubbing English content into Asian languages, leveraging our strong cultural understanding. Moving forward, we aim to attract global clients.
“How to drive safely in the sky”
Nova Air
Jongwon Han / CEO
| Nova Air is a South Korean startup developing real-time solutions to diagnose and predict air turbulence. Their aim is to ensure a safe and sustainable future for aviation. |
Q. What sparked your business idea?
A. My original dream was to become a UAM (Urban Air Mobility) forecaster. Aircraft utilize acceleration sensors and gyro sensors to determine their attitude in three dimensions. I developed an interest in measuring turbulence because when the airflow changes, the aircraft’s attitude also changes, which is detected by the acceleration sensors. Since it’s very challenging to introduce new hardware into an airplane, I had the idea, “What if we could measure turbulence using the smartphones or tablets we already carry?” I realized this could be a viable market, which motivated me to pursue it.
Q. What’s the core technology behind your idea?
A. Our technology analyzes turbulence waves using widely available sensor data, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes. To improve the accuracy of our analysis, we will enhance our program with AI modeling, which will enable us to shorten the turbulence detection time. Our goal is to increase the time for detecting potential issues from 30 seconds to 1 minute before they occur. Currently, our service operates as a web-based SaaS platform. Airlines can access the program using a unique ID and maintain an account specific to each airline. Our service is essential for airlines, as it allows them to share real-time turbulence observations with one another.
Q. What’s your next step for growth?
A. I have noticed significant interest from overseas investors since my arrival. We plan to actively send cold emails to these investors and attend local fairs to position ourselves as a global business competitor. I believe we will be able to grow more quickly once we demonstrate the effectiveness of our service.
“Let AI match your associate”
Canly
Chihiro Oka / HR Business Department (In charge of Overseas business)
| Canly is a Japanese startup that operates a store management platform. It collaborates with Google Maps to analyze how often a store’s information is viewed, whether through search or on the map which is called MEO. Recently, we developed a product that leverages recorded interviews and AI to maximize interview opportunities and reduce mismatches. |
Q. What sparked your business idea?
A. Our initial vision was to create an infrastructure that would help restaurants expand their clientele. However, we soon realized that restaurant owners were also struggling with hiring talent. This led us to develop a service that simplifies the hiring process, making it easier for owners to find candidates who meet their needs and are willing to take on part-time roles, all with the assistance of AI.
Q. What’s the core technology behind your idea?
A. We have developed a technology that enables AI to conduct in-person interviews with part-time workers and determine their suitability for hiring. The process begins when the employer provides the program with details about the ideal candidate through a questionnaire. Canly AI Interview then analyzes conversation data to summarize and suggest whether the interviewee is a good fit for the restaurant from a recorded interview. In the future, we aim to implement a service that matches unsuccessful candidates with other restaurants that may be hiring.
Q. What’s your next step for growth?
A. Our service already has a large customer base in Japan. We also have many interested customers in Indonesia and Vietnam, so we plan to focus our efforts there. Additionally, I believe the market in South Korea is similar to Japan, so I am considering it as our next target.
