Why Did OpenAI Choose Cliwant?
Background
On March 14 (Thursday), 14 K-Startups visited OpenAI’s headquarters in San Francisco. Each team gave a transparent 5-minute pitch followed by a 2-minute Q&A session in front of four OpenAI judges, representatives from the Korean Ministry of SMEs and Startups, participating companies, and members of the press. At the end of the event, only three startups — Cliwant, MarinaChain, and Waddle — were selected as OpenAI’s final collaboration partners.
We were thrilled, but we never expected this level of attention. Within two days, news articles flooded in, and we received inquiries from media outlets, investors, and potential customers. While many congratulated us, the question lingering on everyone’s mind was:
Why did OpenAI choose Cliwant, a young and relatively unknown startup, over more established competitors?
I, too, pondered this question. But based on what I observed and what others shared with me, I believe there are three key reasons behind our selection.
1. Focus on the Core Problem
After winning the “Most Potential AGI” award, a Korean official congratulated me and commented that OpenAI’s judges played a crucial role in our selection. He noted that in Korea, a startup’s background and track record are often scrutinized, making it nearly impossible for a young company like ours to get selected.
So, if background wasn’t the deciding factor, what was? I believe they focused on our core problem. During the Q&A session, the judges didn’t ask us about AI technologies. Instead, they were deeply interested in our approach to RFP analysis. They acknowledged that we had clearly defined the problem and were tackling an industry ripe for AI-driven innovation.
Interestingly, just days before our pitch, I had originally prepared a presentation about building a B2B platform that could rival LinkedIn. But during the flight to the U.S., I questioned whether that was truly our mission. I realized that our focus on modernizing the outdated bidding industry wasn’t coming through. The day before the pitch, I rewrote everything to reflect our original vision.
⇒ The first key factor in our success was our commitment to solving a well-defined problem.
2. A Concise and Clear Presentation
I’m not a particularly knowledgeable person. I don’t use complex terminology, nor do I try to sound overly sophisticated. My writing — whether in blogs or presentations — uses plain and simple language. While I sometimes envy those who can engage in deep, technical discussions, I’ve found that my straightforward approach makes it easier for others to understand me.
And when it comes to English, I make an extra effort to keep things simple. After my pitch, Hyun-Jong Kim, CEO of WeLaser, commented that my presentation was incredibly easy to follow.
During our trip, we attended a panel discussion with local VCs at Stanford University. One investor mentioned that many Korean startup pitch decks are overloaded with text. They explained that VCs are not experts in every industry, so if a deck is too dense, they can’t grasp the core message.
Taking that to heart, I ensured that no slide in my deck contained more than three sentences. Most slides featured just one sentence and a few key phrases. I also kept my verbal explanations concise, completing my pitch in under four minutes — the only team to do so. The moderator even allowed more Q&A time for Cliwant because we finished early.
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⇒ The second key factor in our success was our simple and digestible presentation.
3. Authentic Storytelling
At our post-event dinner, Director Jung-Wook Lim from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups told me he had expected Cliwant to win. He noticed that OpenAI’s judges nodded in agreement multiple times during my presentation.
He then asked, “Did you practice a lot?” I replied, “I did, but all I really did was tell my story.”
Steve Jobs was a master of storytelling, but we are not Jobs. Some presenters get overly ambitious, adding unnecessary details or trying too hard to impress. This often makes their storytelling feel forced. Authenticity is key.
Instead of ending with a vision slide, I closed with a personal story about my background:
“I have spent 14 years in the bidding industry. The problems in this sector have remained unresolved for too long. But when I started using GPT, I saw hope. I believe that, with my passion and OpenAI’s technology, we can revolutionize this industry. Thank you.”
The room erupted in applause. It wasn’t a dramatic conclusion, but it resonated with the audience because it was real.
⇒ The third key factor in our success was authentic storytelling.
Final Thoughts
Compared to the 13 other startups, I still think Cliwant has a long way to go. However, on March 14, I believe we excelled in three key areas:
- We focused on the core problem.
- We delivered a clear and concise pitch.
- We used authentic storytelling.
This wasn’t just true for us — MarinaChain and Waddle, the other two winners, also delivered focused, simple, and engaging pitches.
Ultimately, our true mission isn’t just to win awards — it’s to solve real problems for our customers. While recognition from OpenAI is valuable, our core focus remains on revolutionizing the bidding industry.
Are you ready to join us in solving these challenges? 🚀
