AligoAI

What AligoAI does

AligoAI is a Seoul-based AI company that has built Celevu, an end-to-end platform connecting global brands and advertising agencies with Korean celebrities for marketing campaigns. The platform's core technology combines a recommendation engine — which matches 300+ K-celebrities to campaigns based on country (24 supported), budget, duration, contract type, brand affinity scores, and predicted media impact — with generative AI capable of producing licensed celebrity advertising visuals in 1-3 days without physical photoshoots. The platform also includes a digital twin / AI image licensing system built on explicit celebrity consent frameworks, enabling authorized reuse of celebrity likenesses across campaign variations. Product surface extends to a Demo Calendar for pre-campaign schedule verification and the newer K-Celeb Global service for cross-border K-culture monetization.

AligoAI operates a hybrid go-to-market combining a self-serve digital platform with enterprise sales, event-driven outreach (VivaTech, K-Startup Day, Content Marketing Summit, Digital Marketing Insight, TryEverything, Tech For Retail), and channel partnerships including NAVER Ads (AdTech Solutions Partner), Coupang (e-commerce), and KakaoTalk Gifts. Revenue is generated through three streams: transaction-based commissions on celebrity image rights and licensing deals, professional services fees for AI-generated campaign content, and tiered SaaS subscription access to the platform. Supply-side inventory is anchored by partnerships with four major Korean talent agencies — KeyEast, Blue Dragon, Artist Company, and KingKong by Starship — and demand-side customers span luxury (Chaumet, Golden Goose, Bonpoint), consumer goods (Häagen-Dazs, YOODONG), pharma (Elanco), spirits (Campari/Wild Turkey), French fashion federations, and cultural events.

The company secured 200 million KRW (~$150,000 USD) in seed funding from Seoul National University Technology Holdings in January 2024, operates with 11-50 employees, and is led by Founder and CEO Janghyuk Lee. Marquee partnerships include official sponsorships of CANNESERIES 2026 and the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival 2026, plus a TV5Monde documentary feature, indicating an explicit international positioning strategy beyond the Korean domestic market.

Name

AligoAI

Legal name

AIligoAI

Website

https://celevu.ai

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AligoAI operates Celevu, a Seoul-based AI platform that connects global brands with 300+ Korean celebrities for advertising campaigns via AI-powered matching, licensed digital-twin imagery, and generative AI content production across 24 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Influencer Marketing Software

NAICS

Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (7114), Advertising Agencies (541810), Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (71141)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Advertising (7310)

akta.pro primary industry

Creator Marketplaces & Booking Platforms (MPACAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Brand Partnerships & Endorsement Agencies (MPAIAGAF), Talent Agency & Representation Services (HSACAHAK), Activation/Experiential Creative Agencies (MPAAAAAO)

Keywords

• AI celebrity marketing
• Influencer matching platform
• K-pop brand partnerships
• AI content generation
• Celebrity ad platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Celebrity Image Rights & Licensing: Celevu facilitates licensing agreements between brands and Korean celebrities for the use of celebrity likeness in advertising campaigns. Revenue is generated through commissions on successful licensing transactions and standardized contract management fees. The platform handles the full contracting process, including standard contract templates and messaging tools.
2. AI Content Generation Services: Platform-generated AI visuals and content produced for brands as part of campaign packages. Content is generated digitally (without physical shoots) in 1-3 days, adding value to licensing agreements and enabling rapid campaign execution.
3. Platform Subscription / SaaS Access: Brands and agencies access the Celevu platform to search, compare, contract, and manage celebrity campaigns. The platform offers a self-serve digital experience with tiered access (Pro Plan referenced on site). Short-term 1-month contracts enable low-commitment entry.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

AligoAI operates the Celevu platform, an AI-powered end-to-end celebrity advertising platform that connects global brands and advertising agencies with a network of 300+ Korean celebrities across 24 countries. The platform combines AI-driven celebrity matching (based on country, budget, duration, brand affinity, and predicted media impact), online contract execution with short-term 1-month licensing terms, and generative AI visual content creation that produces ad creatives in 1-3 days without physical photoshoots, enabling end-to-end celebrity campaigns in under 10 days.

Product overview

AligoAI operates as a single-product company centered on the Celevu platform—an end-to-end celebrity marketing platform that connects brands with Korean celebrities (K-celebs) for global advertising campaigns. The platform integrates AI-powered search and recommendation, online contract management, and AI-generated visual content creation into one unified service. Key modules include the core Celevu platform, the AI Recommendation engine for matching celebrities to campaigns, and the Demo Calendar for verifying celebrity schedules before campaign execution. The platform supports 24 countries and maintains a network of 300+ Korean celebrities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Celevu: AI-powered celebrity advertising platform that connects Korean celebrities with global brands for marketing campaigns. Features include AI-based celebrity search and matching, contract management, AI-generated content creation, and campaign performance optimization. Supports operations across 24 countries with a network of 300+ K-celebrities.

Products and services

• Celevu Platform End-to-end AI-powered celebrity advertising platform connecting global brands and advertising agencies with a network of 300+ Korean celebrities across 24 countries. Provides AI-powered celebrity search and matching, online contract execution, AI-generated visual content creation, and campaign performance optimization through a self-serve SaaS interface.
• Demo Calendar Celebrity activity schedule verification tool that allows brands to check performance schedules, works, and music release dates of Korean celebrities before campaign execution, enabling pre-campaign validation of celebrity availability.
• K-Celeb Global Service Global K-celebrity matching service extending the Celevu platform to connect Korean celebrities with fans and brand opportunities worldwide, expanding international reach and supporting global demand for K-culture content.

Quantifiable outcome

• CTR increases by approximately 3× and visitor count increases by approximately 50% when celebrities are featured in advertising campaigns
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered key, flagship, core platform partner, supporting, major and core.

• HSAD (Advertising Agency)keyImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 December 2026Celevu partnered with ad agency HSAD for the Häagen-Dazs Korea December campaign through the KakaoTalk Gifts channel, enabling premium brand advertising during the holiday season.
• Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival (MSFF)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2026Celevu joined as an official sponsor of the 22nd Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival in Seoul. The festival received 1,667 submissions with 44 films selected, featuring 18 World Premieres. Celevu aims to support emerging Korean filmmakers and talent.
• NAVER Corp (NAVER Ads)core platform partnerTechnology or Integration · 1 April 2026Celevu officially joined NAVER Ads as an AdTech Solutions Partner in April 2026, listed in both Planning and Creative categories. This enables integration with Korea's dominant digital advertising ecosystem, allowing brands to execute celebrity campaigns within Naver's advertising network.
• Promas French Menswear Fédération (LIST)keyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Celevu partnered with Promas for the LIST S/S showroom event, inviting Korean actors Jo Hyuk-joon and Im Hyun-soo to promote French menswear brands (OUEST PARIS, AGAIN, GUNTHER) to the Korean market. The partnership continued with LIST F/W featuring actor Im Hyun-soo.
• Fédération Française du Prêt à Porter Féminin (Mode In France)keyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Celevu collaborated with the French women's ready-to-wear federation for the 'Mode In France' gifting campaign, connecting actress Kim Joo-ryung with French luxury brands POLÈNE, ODAJE, Rivedroite, and DIEGA for the Korean market.
• Cannes International Series Festival (CANNESERIES)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Celevu is participating as an official sponsor at the 9th Cannes International Series Festival (April 23-28, 2026) to bridge world-class talent with global media platforms. The partnership positions Celevu within the prestigious international television and streaming festival circuit.
• TV5Monde ('Objectif Monde' Documentary)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026AligoAI was featured on the global TV5Monde documentary series 'Objectif Monde' in January 2026, in an episode on South Korea's cultural landscape. CEO Janghyuk Lee discussed AI-powered celebrity marketing and ethical AI licensing. Actor Hyuk-joon Jo appeared as a guest discussing his digital twin.
• Digital Marketing Insight (Tech42)supportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 December 2025AligoAI was a booth exhibitor at Digital Marketing Insight in Seoul (December 9, 2025), where CEO Janghyuk Lee presented an introduction to the Celevu platform.
• K-Startup Center / SBAmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2025AligoAI served as presenter and exhibitor at K-Startup Day Paris 2025 (October 29, at Station F), organized by K-Startup Center operated by KOSME in collaboration with HEC Paris Incubator to promote Korean startup visibility overseas.
• Tech For Retail ParissupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2025AligoAI exhibited at Tech For Retail in Paris, part of its European market expansion activities alongside K-Startup Day.
• TryEverythingsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2025AligoAI exhibited at TryEverything, South Korea's largest annual startup event organized by Seoul Metropolitan Government and Maekyung Media Group, held September 11-12, 2025.
• Content Marketing Summit SeoulkeyGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 August 2025AligoAI attended the Content Marketing Summit in Seoul (August 11-14, 2025) as a speaker and booth exhibitor. CEO Janghyuk Lee presented on the evolution of the celebrity advertising landscape.
• VivaTechmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2025AligoAI exhibited at VivaTech Paris (June 11-14, 2025), one of Europe's largest startup and technology events, as part of its global expansion strategy.
• Korean Tours Festival (KTF)keyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025Celevu facilitated actress Kim Joo-ryoung's headline appearance at the Korean Tours Festival 2025 in Tours, France. The festival dedicated to Korean pop culture featured K-pop, dramas, food, beauty, and fashion. Kim's participation attracted over 2,000 attendees across main event sessions.
• KeyEastcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025KeyEast, one of Korea's largest talent agencies, joined Celevu's partner network in 2025, providing access to its roster of celebrity image rights for platform-based licensing.
• Blue DragoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Blue Dragon talent agency came onboard Celevu's platform in 2025, enabling image licensing for its represented celebrities through the Celevu marketplace.
• Artist CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Artist Company joined Celevu's celebrity agency network in 2025, expanding the platform's celebrity roster and enabling seamless image rights licensing.
• KingKong by StarshipcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025KingKong by Starship talent agency came onboard Celevu in 2025, joining the platform's network of celebrity agency partners for image rights management.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Aspire (formerly AspireIQ): Enterprise influencer marketing platform that connects brands with creators across geographies. Directly comparable to Celevu's brand-to-talent matching and campaign execution model, though Aspire serves a broader creator pool beyond Korean celebrities.
• Grin: Creator marketing platform focused on influencer relationship management, content workflows, and ROI measurement. Comparable to Celevu on the brand-celebrity matchmaking and campaign execution side, with broader creator-economy scope.
• NeoReach: Data-driven influencer marketing platform with campaign management and creator marketplace functionality. Comparable to Celevu on brand-talent matchmaking and campaign analytics.
• IZEA: Influencer marketing and content marketplace connecting brands with creators for sponsored content and licensing. Closely parallels Celevu's celebrity image-rights licensing and content generation model.

Others

• HYBE (formerly Big Hit Entertainment): Korean entertainment conglomerate representing major K-pop talent (BTS, etc.). Tangential to Celevu as the supply-side owner of celebrity image rights that Celevu's marketplace aggregates; could be partner or competitor depending on in-housing strategy.
• SM Entertainment: Major Korean entertainment company and K-pop talent agency. Adjacent as the supply side for celebrity image rights that Celevu licenses; potential partner or competitor if SM launches its own direct-to-brand platform.
• KeyEast: Korean talent management agency (existing Celevu partner). Adjacent as the upstream supplier of celebrity image rights — represents the supply-side dependency in Celevu's marketplace model.

Broad incumbents

• CJ ENM: Korean entertainment and marketing conglomerate with significant content production and advertising capabilities. Comparable as a broad incumbent in Korean entertainment-driven brand marketing, though its primary focus is content rather than celebrity ad matching.
• CreatorIQ: Enterprise-grade influencer marketing platform serving Fortune 500 brands. Operates in the same celebrity/creator advertising category as Celevu but at significantly larger scale and with a broader, non-Korean celebrity focus.

Regional players

• Vamp (Creator Marketing APAC): Singapore-based influencer marketing platform strong across APAC, connecting brands with creators. Regionally adjacent to Celevu's APAC celebrity focus though broader than Korean celebrities alone.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CeleVu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aligo-ai

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AligoAI