CIO launches AI-based SME M&A brokerage platform 'CIO M&A'

[Financial News] A startup has emerged aiming to solve the information asymmetry problem in the SME M&A market using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. CIO announced on the 29th that it officially launched the SME-specialized M&A brokerage platform 'CIO M&A' last April.
CIO M&A is a system that uses AI and big data to precisely match selling and acquiring companies based on the largest SME deal database (DB) in the country. The platform's competitiveness is highlighted by its real DB of over 48,000 entities directly connectable to CEOs and a sourcing channel that updates more than 20,000 listings annually in real-time.
The self-developed AI matching engine combines information from over 13 data paths, including news, patents, and public data, with internal CEO interview information to recommend optimal acquisition candidates and automatically generate company analysis reports. In the second half of this year, they plan to launch the 'Deal AI Agent', which automates more than 90% of brokerage tasks.
The platform adopts a hybrid model that combines a digital system with an offline professional brokerage organization. It supports the discovery and brokerage of actual listings through a network of 24,000 tax accountants and planners nationwide, and responds with tailored solutions to the demand of CEOs over 50 who prefer quiet sales. Over 50 real transactions were completed within a month of launch.
CIO M&A targets high-quality SMEs with annual sales of 5 billion to 30 billion KRW as its core target. Unlike existing platforms where sellers must directly register their listings, it implements a structure where buyers can search for companies that meet their criteria.
Tae-oh Eom, CEO of CIO, said, “Our mission is to restructure the inefficient structure of the existing M&A market with technology,” adding, “We will enhance the platform so that more SMEs can find new opportunities in a fair and efficient manner.”

jimnn@fnnews.com Ji-min Shin, Reporter