Starting Partners
Category: AI in HR & Talent
AI-powered fixed-price headhunting solution for startups, structuring unstructured recruiting data to reduce hiring costs by ~70% Starting Partners was founded in 2021. The company is led by Kim Hong-chan (김홍찬). Based in Seoul, South Korea. Team size: 1-10. Latest round: Seed. Key investors include Korea Credit Guarantee Fund (신용보증기금 / KODIT).
- Founded
- 2021
- Headquarters
- Seoul, South Korea
- Team size
- 1-10
Value proposition
Flat-fee headhunting (~₩250-300万 per hire) instead of traditional 15-30% commission-based fees, reducing costs by ~70% compared to traditional headhunting. AI Agent automates unstructured data processing (JD, resumes, portfolios) to free headhunters for high-value client engagement.
Products and solutions
스타팅 (Starting) — AI-powered fixed-price headhunting solution for startups. Features include: AI Agent for automated data structuring, personalized keyword extraction per job category, AI screening of matching conditions, automated JD generation, and detailed matching report generation. Fixed pricing model (₩250-300万 per hire) vs traditional 15-30% of annual salary.
Unique value
Fixed-price AI headhunting for startups with patented AI matching algorithm and 3-recommendations-to-1-hire conversion ratio, delivering ~70% cost reduction vs traditional search firms.
Target customer
Startups and SMEs in South Korea seeking cost-effective headhunting services; companies that couldn't afford traditional search firm fees (15-30% of annual salary).
Industries served
Enterprise / HR Tech / Recruitment, primarily IT sector
Technology advantage
5 registered patents in Korea covering AI-based job matching, project-portfolio analysis, automated JD generation, and structured data processing. AI Agent for hierarchical relationship analysis of unstructured recruiting data. Inno-Biz A-grade certification from Korean Ministry of SMEs. Deep Tech Startup Academy (딥테크 창업사관학교) selection by Ministry of SMEs.
How they differentiate
Fixed-price model (not percentage-based); patented AI matching algorithm with 5 registered patents; AI Agent that automates unstructured data structuring using hierarchical relationship analysis; 3-recommendations-to-1-hire average conversion rate; founder/former search firm professionals as dedicated account managers.
Main competitors
Unicosearch (유니코써치), CareerDay (커리어데이), Jikhaeng (직행), Second Team (세컨드팀)
Key partnerships
Dongseo University SW Center (R&D partnership), Wepun (Snack24) — MOU for recruitment services targeting 4,500 clients, Swit Technologies — cloud voucher program collaboration, DD Development Agency (똑똑한개발자) — MOU, PARD (Handong Univ IT club) — MOU, Kwangwoon University LINC+ — MOU, Kookmin University LINC+ — MOU
Notable customers
200+ client companies (as of Feb 2026), includes companies onboarded via partnerships with Snack24's 4,500 client base and Swit Technologies
Major milestones
2021-11: Company founded as Momit (모밋), 2022: 'Starting' resume service launched, won Korea Corporate Grand Prize Service Innovation Award, MSIT cloud service excellence case selection, 2023-05: Seed funding from Korea Credit Guarantee Fund, 2023: Seoul preliminary social enterprise certification, venture company certification, 2024: 'Starting' headhunting solution officially launched, Gyeonggi Youth Startup Academy 14th batch, 2025: Revenue grew 321% YoY, multiple patents registered, KU Startup Funding-Up Demo Day Grand Prize, 2026-02: Rebranded from Momit to Starting Partners, Inno-Biz A-grade certification, 2026-04: Deep Tech Startup Academy (딥테크 창업사관학교) selected, 2026-06: AI Agent launched on Starting platform
Growth metrics
Revenue: ₩121M (~$92K) in 2025 (321% YoY growth from ₩37.6M in 2024, ₩0.97M in 2023); 200+ client companies; 3 employees; 5 registered patents
Market positioning
Early-stage AI HR Tech startup in South Korea's competitive recruiting market, differentiated by fixed-price model vs traditional percentage-based headhunting fees. Positioned as a tech-enabled alternative to both traditional search firms and job platforms, targeting the underserved segment of startups that found headhunting cost-prohibitive.
Geographic focus
South Korea (domestic focus)
Patents and IP
5 registered patents in South Korea including: AI-based job matching system, automated project experience recording method and device, activity certificate issuance method and device, project relevance-based hiring suitability analysis device and method, AI-based job project guide curation device
About Kim Hong-chan (김홍찬)
Founder & CEO of Momit (formerly named, later rebranded to Starting Partners). Studied at Kwangwoon University (광운대학교). Previously ran a job-seeking community platform 'Mounda' (모운다) for college students.
Official website: https://start-ing.kr/