South Korea's vibrant startup scene is a hub of innovation, and at the heart of it all is finding the right talent to fuel growth. Wanted Lab, a Seoul-based company founded in 2015, is transforming the way companies discover and recruit talent with their AI-powered talent acquisition platform. Founded by Bok-Gi Lee, Lee-Gun Hwang, Sae-Hoon Kim, and Jae-Chang Heo, Wanted Lab promises to digitize and incentivize the referral process, whilst empowering individuals to connect talent with exciting opportunities.

"Our goal from the beginning was to create a more efficient and transparent hiring process that benefits both companies and job seekers by leveraging the power of networks and technology," stated co-founder Bok-Gi Lee.

Rewarding referrals, redefining hiring

Wanted Lab’s core innovation lies in its AI-driven recruitment platform that incentivizes users to refer candidates for job openings, offering cash rewards upon successful hires. This unique approach taps into the power of networks, expanding the talent pool beyond active job seekers and reaching passive candidates who may be the perfect fit.

Beyond the referral model, Wanted Lab has expanded its offerings to create a comprehensive talent solutions ecosystem. This includes Wanted Gigs that connects companies with skilled freelancers, along with a variety of career development content to support candidate growth.

This holistic approach makes Wanted Lab a one-stop shop for companies and candidates navigating the ever-evolving world of work.

Smarter candidate matching, better outcomes

Integral to Wanted Lab’s success is their sophisticated use of AI. Proprietary algorithms analyze vast amounts of user data to significantly enhance job-candidate matching accuracy. This means companies spend less time sifting through irrelevant resumes and more time connecting with promising candidates.

Wanted Lab also leverages AI to provide personalized career recommendations, AI-powered interview coaching, and even AI-powered resume coaching service. These tools empower both job seekers and employers to make smarter decisions and unlock their full potential.

The startup eventually intends to integrate the Gemini model for their personalized career recommendations, AI-powered interview coaching, and AI-driven resume coaching services. Indeed, the Gemini model and ADK are actively utilized to streamline Wanted Lab's internal workflow automation, including sophisticated recruitment data analysis.

Wanted Lab’s journey has been supported by Google for Startups, with the company participating in the Residency program in 2015. This early engagement provided valuable resources, mentorship, and connections that helped Wanted Lab refine its vision and accelerate its growth.

From co-hosting the year-long Campus Career Fair in 2016 to empower startup recruiters, to their CEO taking the stage as a panelist at our 10th-anniversary AI Festival, Google’s partnership with Wanted Lab showcases the ecosystem's power.

"For startups, meeting the right people and finding the right spaces is incredibly important. Through the Google for Startups program, we were able to connect and have conversations with global mentors. Thanks to that, it greatly helped us quickly expand our brand awareness across multiple countries," says Bok-Gi Lee.

Going public and eyeing international expansion

Wanted Lab’s innovative approach has resonated deeply with the South Korean market and beyond. In August 2021, the company successfully launched an IPO on the KOSDAQ, with its stock price doubling on the first day of trading. This remarkable achievement speaks volumes about investor confidence in Wanted Lab’s disruptive model and its potential for future growth.

The company’s success extends beyond South Korea. In partnership with LAPRAS, Wanted Lab expanded into Japan, showcasing the adaptability of its AI matching models. Within just six months, over 200 companies in Japan had adopted the platform, demonstrating its ability to solve talent acquisition challenges in diverse markets.

Powering the future of work

Wanted Lab's dedication to leveraging AI to optimize talent acquisition has positioned them as a key enabler for startups across South Korea, providing a crucial engine for growth and innovation within the ecosystem. With Google for Startups’ support, they've revolutionized hiring processes, streamlined workflows, and ultimately, helped South Korea’s dynamic startup community connect with the talent needed to thrive. As Wanted Lab continues to grow and innovate, they're poised to play an even greater role in shaping the future of work.