Worksmate

Worksmate operates as a digital platform focused on the construction labor market in South Korea, connecting daily workers with construction companies through its mobile application, 'GADA'. The company was established in April 2020 and is headquartered in Seoul. Worksmate emerged as the first internal startup to spin off from Hyundai Development Company (HDC). The founder and CEO, Kim Se-won, was previously a site manager at HDC, where his direct experience with the inefficiencies and challenges of sourcing construction labor inspired the creation of the platform.

The business model centers on disrupting the traditional, often offline, methods of hiring construction labor. For construction workers, the 'GADA' app eliminates the need to queue at physical manpower offices in the early morning by allowing them to find and select jobs the day before. This addresses the uncertainty daily laborers face regarding their next job. For construction companies, the platform provides a more efficient way to recruit reliable and skilled workers, offering access to worker profiles that include experience and self-introductions for better-matched placements. The service has seen significant adoption, with over 600 construction companies in Korea, including a high percentage of the top 10 largest firms, using the platform. Worksmate generates revenue through fees charged for its matching services.

Worksmate's core product, the 'GADA' platform, consists of two separate applications: one for job-seeking workers and another for recruiting construction companies. The platform leverages data and technology to improve match quality, with plans to incorporate AI-based algorithms and a rating system for skilled workers (functionaries) to ensure they receive fair wages and recognition for their skills. By December 2023, the app had surpassed 400,000 downloads and facilitated over 400,000 job matches. The company has successfully raised a total of 6.1 billion KRW in Seed and Pre-Series A funding from investors including Korea Investment Partners, NHN Investment, and POSTECH Holdings, and secured a Series B investment of 4 billion KRW in March 2025.

Keywords: construction labor, HR technology, workforce management, job matching platform, construction recruitment, GADA, digital manpower, skilled labor, construction tech, daily worker jobs, Kim Se-won, South Korea startup, HDC spin-off, construction staffing, on-demand labor, blue-collar jobs, mobile recruitment, proptech, labor market digitalization, construction project staffing