A Meaningful Transformation of the First Generation of Ad Tech… "Achieved Record Performance as 'Data SaaS'"

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"Although some analysts argue that the advancement of AI (artificial intelligence) technology could pose a threat to SaaS (Software as a Service) companies, for latecomers, it is instead becoming a weapon and a massive opportunity to surpass established players in the SaaS sector."

Hun In Ra-i-peul (CEO) stated, "While domestic and international SaaS companies such as Salesforce and SAP have been generating profits by maintaining high margins through significant technological barriers, the rise of AI agents designed to assist corporate operations will inevitably threaten these high margin rates for existing SaaS firms."

Companies that have long operated in the SaaS space face challenges in adopting innovative AI agents because they must protect their established business models and customer base. In contrast, latecomers who build their SaaS businesses from the ground up on an AI agent foundation can establish market presence through cost competitiveness.

This is also why InLive, a first-generation domestic ad tech company, has embarked on transforming itself into a "SaaS company." As companies increasingly adopt various AI agents, differentiation ultimately stems from data. The vast amount of data accumulated by InLive in the ad tech sector has become a core asset for its SaaS business.

Hun Han (CEO) emphasized, "AI agents offer the advantage of being far faster and easier to implement than traditional SaaS solutions." He added, "InLive will build an 'Agent SaaS' comprehensive platform that integrates numerous work-related AI agents required by companies, supporting every aspect of business from A to Z."

While InLive began as an ad tech company, it now aims to be more than just improving corporate advertising performance. It is positioning itself as a "Data Tech SaaS Group" that combines big data and AI analysis technologies with customer behavior data to support corporate decision-making and translate insights into tangible business results.

InLive's business model is divided into three main pillars: Ad Tech, Data SaaS, and Utility SaaS. Its core product in the ad tech sector is "MobiOn 4.0," a brand holding the number one market share in South Korea's retargeting advertising market.

MobiOn provides an ROAS (Return on Advertising Spend) optimization system based on big data analysis, including customer behavior data. It leverages CDP (Customer Data Platform) to analyze customer behavior patterns and combines multiple types of parameters to enable sophisticated targeted advertising, giving it a competitive edge.

Additionally, the AI customer data analysis platform "TUNE720," which predicts purchase likelihood and customer churn, is integrated with the hyper-personalized CRM (Customer Relationship Management) marketing platform "iSend" to help maximize corporate revenue.

Hun Han (CEO) stated, "InLive's strength lies in its overwhelming volume of data and the technology to process it." He noted, "We receive 30 billion payment transactions daily, annual transaction data worth 45 trillion won, and purchase pattern data from 40 million users."

InLive reported consolidated annual revenue of 78.2 billion won last year, achieving its highest-ever performance. Notably, 53.6% of total revenue came from the SaaS sector, marking successful transformation into a SaaS company.

Hun Han (CEO) explained, "Currently, the ad tech sector serves as a cash cow, while the SaaS sector boasts significantly higher operating profit margins, driving overall corporate profitability." He added, "We aim to have 75% of revenue generated from the SaaS sector within the next three years."

InLive is currently focusing on expanding its office SaaS product, "EasyLab." EasyLab moves beyond the traditional utility market model of installing individual programs for each function, allowing users to access various utilities such as meeting minute recording, file compression, and video editing under a single brand.

Hun Han (CEO) stated, "The core lies in reducing the hassle of individual installations and building an organic service ecosystem based on integrated login, similar to the convenience gained from using Google Calendar and Google Drive together." He added, "This year, we will launch 13 new products."

EasyLab has been launched in Japan, the United States, and Taiwan, with continuous inflow of global users. In South Korea, it surpassed an average daily active user (DAU) count of 210,000 within one year of its launch. He said, "We will maximize usability by linking diverse product lines to a single account and enable all tasks to be resolved within the EasyLab ecosystem."

This year, InLive is accelerating its expansion into Japan's B2G sector alongside global market penetration. Recently, it established a new "Global Business Division" and appointed Hun Yoon Mi-gyeong (CEO), who previously led the first-generation domestic digital marketing company "Empose," as Executive Vice President to oversee global strategy.

Hun Han (CEO) remarked, "In Japan, we confirmed potential by securing 20,000 users without establishing a local subsidiary." He added, "Once we further optimize our offerings and conduct localized marketing, we are confident that our SaaS will take root in the Japanese market."

He continued, "Japan will be the most critical barometer for global expansion. Based on experiences gained there, we aim to establish a corporate entity in the United States within this year. We target securing 20 thousand won average daily users combined from domestic and international markets by year-end."

InLive is targeting the fourth quarter of this year for its IPO (initial public offering). It has signed an underwriting agreement with Mirae Asset Securities and is conducting behind-the-scenes preparations. Hun Han (CEO) projected, "Since all three key requirements for a standard listing—three consecutive years of profitability and sufficient revenue scale—have been met, the listing itself should pose no major issues."

Crucially, InLive is pursuing an IPO not as an ad tech model but as a 'SaaS company.' He stated, "Using funds raised through the listing, we will accelerate global expansion and rapidly expand our SaaS portfolio through active mergers and acquisitions (M&A)."

He further emphasized, "By leveraging data technology and local infrastructure to support domestic companies in entering global markets as a partner, we will contribute to strengthening national corporate competitiveness. We aim to become the 'comprehensive support SaaS company' that businesses first think of when expanding globally."

[MoneyToday startup media platform 'Unicorn Factory']