Cio Launches SME-Specialized M&A Platform

Amidst the contemporary challenges of an aging population and business succession, CIO has officially launched 'CIO M&A,' an AI-based M&A brokerage platform, presenting a new paradigm to dismantle the persistent barriers of information asymmetry and inefficiency in the SME M&A market. The core of CIO M&A lies in the combination of vast data and advanced AI technology. Based on the nation's largest database of SME deals, it leverages the powerful capabilities of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data to precisely match selling and acquiring companies. Particularly, approximately 48,000 vivid, real databases directly connected to CEOs, along with sourcing channels updated in real-time with over 20,000 cases annually, prove the platform's unique competitiveness beyond mere numbers. The self-developed AI matching engine meticulously integrates information collected from over 13 diverse sources, including external public data, paid information, news, patents, and certifications, along with CEO interview data. This is an intelligent system that goes beyond simple connections, analyzing acquisition conditions and strategic synergies from multiple angles to automatically recommend optimal candidate companies. Furthermore, it automatically generates company analysis reports, and in the second half of this year, it plans to present the future of M&A brokerage with an advanced version of 'Deal AI Agent' that will automate over 90% of brokerage tasks. However, CIO M&A does not solely rely on technology. It has established a unique hybrid model that uncovers actual properties and closes sales through an offline brokerage organization linked to a network of approximately 24,000 tax accountants and planners nationwide. This approach, where experts actively work to maximize the probability of success simply by registering a listing on the platform, has deeply resonated with CEOs over 50 who value trust and desire a 'quiet sale.' Over 50 actual deal brokerages within just one month of its launch serve as proof. Targeting 'sound SMEs' with annual revenues ranging from 5 billion to 30 billion Korean Won, CIO M&A is positioning itself as the optimal platform for acquirers to discover 'companies with their dream conditions.' CEO Eom Tae-oh stated his ambition, "Our mission is to reshape the existing inefficient M&A brokerage market structure with technology," adding, "We will continuously evolve to help more SMEs find new opportunities in a fair and efficient manner."