What Connect AI does

Connect AI (주식회사 커넥트에이아이, CONNECT AI Co., Ltd.) is a Seoul-based B2B trade facilitation and global matchmaking firm founded in 2022 that targets Korean SMEs, K-Beauty brands, K-Food brands, and Korean tech startups seeking to export or expand internationally. Its headcount is reported at 1–10, but the named leadership team includes 15+ executives and specialists across CEO/CIPO (Choi Gun-sik, a patent attorney), CGO/Co-Founder Yang Song-yi, COO, CTO, CSO, CMO, plus dedicated specialists in negotiations, global sales, plant/EPC export strategy, domestic distribution, and European operations. The company is incorporated in South Korea, headquartered at Stark Gangnam Building, Seocho-gu, Seoul, and operates a separate 한국 entity (Connect AI Korea) with its own site.

The core product stack is an AI- and big-data-driven platform combining (1) a proprietary real-time industry database explicitly differentiated from "junk" data sources, (2) RTDIA (Real-Time Decision-maker Interest Analysis) technology that ingests overseas buyer behavior signals and stages, (3) Global Business Matching precision targeting of decision-makers in selected countries, (4) a Global AI Sales Team offering for companies without dedicated export staff, and (5) sector-specific Online Exhibition Halls (K-Beauty, K-Food) that run 24/7/365 with buyer-centric browse-to-transaction flows. EXPO Connect, launched in January 2024, adds pre-event matching for overseas trade shows. Three certifications anchor the compliance posture: ISO 27001 (ISMS), ISO 27701 (PIMS), and TRUSTe/GDPR. Cumulative platform outcomes include 533 member companies, 180 buyer inquiries in the past year, partners in 30+ countries, and a single high-profile engagement with NIPA's METAVERSE KOREA project (October 2023) that reached 20,000+ decision-makers and produced 50+ B2B meetings and major contracts across 26 XR/VR/AR startups.

Connect AI operates primarily a sales-led, subscription-based revenue model. Tiered service contracts (e.g., the publicly listed Starter tier at ₩950,000 KRW on a 3-month term) are sold through direct-inquiry funnels on the company website and via KakaoTalk/email, supplemented by distribution through Korean government and association channels: KOTRA, KITA, NIPA, the Korean Food Technologists Association, and the National Technology Standards Institute. Pricing is publicly disclosed for Starter only; higher tiers are quote-based. The firm received its first disclosed funding, a seed round from Pocket Company in May 2024, to support South Korean market entry, service stability, and domestic companies' global expansion, and remains privately held with no parent company or M&A activity recorded.

Name

Connect AI

Legal name

주식회사 커넥트에이아이 (CONNECT AI Co., Ltd.)

Website

https://connectai.biz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Connect AI is a Seoul-based AI-powered B2B trade platform helping Korean SMEs, K-Beauty, K-Food brands, and tech startups identify verified overseas buyers through AI-driven matching, outsourced global sales teams, EXPO Connect pre-event matching, and always-on online exhibition halls spanning 30+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

B2B Global Trade Facilitation and Business Matching Services

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518), Advertising Agencies (541810)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

B2B Marketplaces & Wholesale Platforms (BPAMAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

AI Integration & Orchestration Platforms (Connectors, Workflow, iPaaS for AI) (HDAEANAI), AI/ML Engineering & Model Development Services (BPAEAHAF), B2B/EDI & Partner Integration (BPAMAOAJ)

Keywords

• B2B business matching
• Global sales outsourcing
• Trade intelligence platform
• Export market entry
• AI buyer targeting

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Subscription-based Global Sales Team & Business Matching Services: Connect AI generates recurring revenue through subscription contracts for its core services: Global AI Sales Team (outsourced export sales team), Global Business Matching (precision B2B matching with decision-makers), and EXPO Connect (pre-event matching for exhibition participants). Services are offered in tiered packages (Starter at ₩950,000) with 3-month contract terms. The subscription model provides monthly recurring revenue with contract renewal negotiations before expiration.
2. Global Exhibition & Online Showroom Services: Revenue is generated through K-Beauty and K-Food Online Exhibition Hall services, where companies pay for permanent digital booth presence accessible 365/24 to global buyers. This creates a long-term recurring revenue stream from exhibition hall participants, complementing time-limited event-based matching.
3. Market Research & Data Advisory: Additional revenue from capability diagnosis reports and market analysis reports bundled within the Starter tier package (₩950,000). Data-driven advisory services provide one-time report deliverables alongside recurring matching services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Connect AI provides AI-powered B2B business matching and global sales team outsourcing services for Korean SMEs, startups, and enterprises seeking international market expansion. Core offerings include the Global AI Sales Team (outsourced export sales), Global Business Matching (precision decision-maker targeting), EXPO Connect (pre-exhibition B2B matching), Global Exhibition Hall Construction (permanent virtual booths), and vertical online exhibition halls (K-Beauty and K-Food). All services leverage AI-based buyer behavior analysis (RTDIA), a curated real-time industry database, and big data analytics to connect Korean exporters with verified overseas buyers.

Product overview

Connect AI operates as a global B2B business matching platform with a multi-product portfolio. The core offering consists of AI-powered business matching services including the Global AI Sales Team (글로벌 AI 세일즈팀) for companies lacking overseas marketing staff, Global Business Matching (글로벌 비즈 매칭) for precision targeting in specific countries, and EXPO Connect (엑스포커넥트) for pre-exhibition B2B matching. Supporting these are the Global Exhibition Hall Construction (글로벌 전시관 구축 사업) service for permanent virtual booths and vertical-specific online exhibition halls including K-BEAUTY and K-FOOD. The portfolio is tiered with the Starter (스타터) add-on module for startups at ₩950,000. All services leverage AI and big data analysis for market/buyer analysis, risk management, and customized matching. The company has connected over $1,000M in inquiries, serves 533 member companies, and operates business partners across 30+ countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• K-BEAUTY Online Exhibition Hall (K-뷰티 온라인 전시관): A 24/7/365 online exhibition platform for K-Beauty brands, connecting them with global B2B buyers through an AI-powered digital trade structure that guides brands from exhibition to consultation, trading, and distribution.
• K-FOOD Online Exhibition Hall (K-FOOD 온라인 전시관)
• EXPO Connect (엑스포커넥트)
• Global AI Sales Team (글로벌 AI 세일즈팀)

Products and services

• Global AI Sales Team (글로벌 AI 세일즈팀) AI-powered outsourced global sales and export team service for companies without dedicated overseas marketing staff. A dedicated global sales manager conducts market research, competitiveness analysis, message development, and outreach to discover new buyers and secure trade partners end-to-end.
• Global Business Matching (글로벌 비즈 매칭) Precision targeting service that selects target companies in desired countries and contacts their decision-makers, concentrating on specific countries to surface interested buyer information for companies seeking global expansion.
• EXPO Connect (엑스포커넥트) Global B2B business matching service for companies participating in overseas exhibitions, trade shows, conferences, and business events. Pre-matches exhibitors with target buyers before events to maximize networking outcomes and provide ongoing matching support.
• Global Exhibition Hall Construction (글로벌 전시관 구축 사업) Service that constructs permanent, semi-permanent exhibition booths reflecting member companies' product and technology information to create continuous visitor flow 365 days, 24 hours through globally accessible virtual exhibition halls. Designed for institutions, associations, and member companies.
• K-Beauty Online Exhibition Hall (K-BEAUTY 온라인 전시관) 24-hour, 365-day online exhibition hall connecting verified K-Beauty companies with global buyers. Designed from a buyer perspective with AI analysis of brand reliability and readiness, guiding brands from exhibition through consultation to transaction and distribution.
• K-Food Online Exhibition Hall (K-FOOD 온라인 전시관) AI-based online exhibition hall for K-Food brands, jointly operated with the Korean Food Technologists Association, designed to drive global digital trade for the food industry through 24/7 online exhibition connecting K-Food companies with global buyers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 180 buyer inquiries received over the past year; 533 member companies; business partners in 30+ countries; $1,000M+ in buyer connections facilitated
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and minor.

• Korean Food Technologists Association (한국식품기술사협회)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 October 2025Connect AI and the Korean Food Technologists Association announced a joint business initiative — the 'AI-Based K-FOOD Online Exhibition Hall' — to lead the global transition of the food industry through an AI-based digital trade platform. Connect AI provides the platform technology (AI matching, buyer analysis), while the association brings member companies and industry credibility.
• NIPA (National IT Industry Promotion Agency, 정보통신산업진흥원)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2023Connect AI served as the global online B2B matching partner for NIPA's METAVERSE KOREA project (October 2023), which selected 26 Korean XR/VR/AR companies. Connect AI built a B2B platform, developed custom contact messaging, conducted buyer outreach to 20,000+ decision-makers, facilitated 50+ B2B meetings, and contributed to major contract signings.
• Korean International Trade Association / KITA (한국무역협회)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerConnect AI participated as a speaker in a KITA-hosted seminar on 'AI-Enabled IP Protection and Export Expansion Strategies.' The association provides a platform for Connect AI to reach Korean exporters while Connect AI contributes expertise on AI-based IP protection and export strategies.
• National Technology Standards Institute (국가기술표준원)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerConnect AI's CGO Yang Song-yi serves as Chairman of the TBT Cybersecurity Commission under the National Technology Standards Institute, and participated as a speaker at the 12th Technical Regulations Response Day forum organized by the institute.
• ZalandominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorConnect AI's European operations lead Christian Brandt previously worked as a marketing and sales strategy professional at Zalando. This personal network supports Connect AI's European market entry strategy and potential channel partnerships for Korean brands accessing the European market via Zalando and similar platforms.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• EC21: EC21 is a Korea-headquartered global B2B marketplace connecting Korean and Asian suppliers with international buyers across a wide range of verticals. Like Connect AI, it focuses on enabling Korean SME export activity, but it is a much broader horizontal marketplace rather than a vertical-specialized, AI-driven matching service.
• TradeKey: TradeKey is a global B2B marketplace focused on connecting manufacturers, suppliers, and buyers across emerging markets, with significant Korean and Asian exporter presence. It is comparable to Connect AI in serving SMEs seeking cross-border B2B connections, though without the Korea-specific government partnership channel or vertical exhibition halls.

Regional players

• BeautyMNL / Cosme_de (or similar K-Beauty export platforms): Cosme-de is a Hong Kong-based K-Beauty-focused B2C/B2B export platform for Korean cosmetics brands reaching Asian and global buyers. It is comparable to Connect AI's K-Beauty Online Exhibition Hall in providing a digital showcase for Korean beauty brands seeking international buyers, though it is more transactionally oriented than matching-as-a-service.

Broad incumbents

• ThomasNet: ThomasNet is a US-focused B2B industrial sourcing platform and one of the longest-established online supplier-discovery services. It is comparable to Connect AI's decision-maker targeting and precision matching functionality, though it concentrates on North American industrial buyers rather than Korean exporters.
• Global Sources: Global Sources is a Hong Kong-based B2B sourcing platform with deep Asia-export focus, operating online marketplaces and offline trade shows. It overlaps directly with Connect AI's K-Beauty/K-Food exhibition halls and EXPO Connect services but at vastly greater scale and with a global buyer base built over decades.
• Alibaba.com: Alibaba.com is the dominant global B2B marketplace, offering AI-driven supplier-buyer matching and trade services. It competes with Connect AI's online exhibition hall and matching services but on a much broader category scope and with substantially more capital and engineering resources.

Emerging players

• DHgate: DHgate is a China-based cross-border B2B e-commerce platform with growing K-Beauty and consumer goods categories. It overlaps with Connect AI's online exhibition halls in enabling Korean brands to reach global buyers via digital storefronts, though its core competency is transactional marketplace rather than export consulting.
• Cogoport: Cogoport is a digital cross-border trade platform offering B2B matchmaking, logistics, and trade finance for SMEs in emerging markets. It shares Connect AI's focus on digitalizing and simplifying cross-border B2B trade for SMEs, though Cogoport leans more heavily into logistics and freight rather than export-buyer matching.
• Kompass International: Kompass is a global B2B data and matchmaking platform with company directory and buyer-supplier matching services. It is comparable to Connect AI on the data-driven matching side but is older, more horizontal, and lacks Korea-vertical specialization or government-channel distribution.

Others

• KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency): KOTRA is the Korean government trade promotion agency that runs global trade shows and buyer-matching programs for Korean exporters. It is both a partner of Connect AI and an indirect alternative channel, since some Korean SMEs obtain matching services directly through KOTRA's programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.connectai.biz
• Instagraminstagram.com/connect_ai.official

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Connect AI