Specter

Specter, a South Korean HR technology firm established in 2020 by CEO Kyoungwook Yoon, is positioned to address inefficiencies within the recruitment market. The company operates a cloud-based talent verification platform designed to help enterprises make more informed hiring decisions.

Specter's core business revolves around providing a comprehensive suite of tools for background and reference checking. The platform enables employers to quickly verify a candidate's credentials using just a name and phone number, contingent on the applicant's consent. This service aims to create a fairer hiring environment by allowing verified managers and peers to offer feedback on a candidate's skills, work ethic, and cultural fit. The company targets the South Korean labor market, which sees significant annual job turnover, by offering a solution to reduce hiring costs and the risks associated with poor hiring choices.

The product portfolio includes several key features. The 'Reference Check' service gathers qualitative data on a candidate's competencies and potential red flags. This is complemented by the 'Power Profile' service, which allows former supervisors and colleagues to validate specific achievements listed on a candidate's resume, adding a layer of objective verification to performance claims. For high-level executive positions, premium verification options are available. Specter has also developed TEO, an AI-driven interface to assist recruiters, and LINA, a feedback app to help organizations build a better feedback culture.

Since its inception, Specter has secured significant financial backing to fuel its growth. The company has raised a total of $12.5 million over three funding rounds. Its first round was a Seed investment in February 2021, followed by a Series A round in August 2022. A subsequent Series A round in December 2024, led by Do Ventures with participation from Storm Ventures, raised $7.68 million. These funds are earmarked for technology enhancement and international expansion, with the company actively preparing to enter markets in Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan.

Keywords: talent verification, HR technology, background check, reference check, recruitment software, South Korea, employee screening, hiring platform, Kyoungwook Yoon, reputation inquiry, recruitment automation, human resources, candidate verification, pre-employment screening, HR tech startup, skills assessment, cultural fit, Power Profile, Storm Ventures, Do Ventures