OneDegree Global is addressing critical challenges in cybersecurity, AI, and Web3 by focusing on validating AI security, including Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs). The company also provides digital-first infrastructure for small-amount and short-term insurers (SSI) to address emerging risks such as Web3 and cyber threats, helping insurers overcome high market entry costs and limited digital capabilities in Korea.  

To solve these issues, OneDegree Global has developed cutting-edge solutions like Cymetrics Vulcan, an advanced AI security tool designed to ensure Responsible AI standards through rigorous vulnerability assessments. In the insurance sector, the company’s cloud-based, low-code platform reduces market entry barriers for insurers and brokers, allowing them to scale more efficiently. Leveraging international cybersecurity expertise, strategic partnerships, and participation in innovation sandboxes, OneDegree Global continues to refine and validate its solutions.  

The company’s competitive advantage lies in its technological expertise and multi-market experience. Holding certifications such as ISO42001 Lead Auditor, CCSP, and CISA, OneDegree Global has established itself as a trusted leader in cybersecurity. The company’s team recently won first place at HITCON Cyber Range 2024 in Taiwan, showcasing its advanced defensive cybersecurity skills. CEO Michelle Ip, with over 12 years of experience in insurtech and digital transformation, has a proven track record of launching and scaling fintech startups across ASEAN and East Asia.  

Cymetrics Vulcan, the company’s flagship product, specializes in LLM red teaming to identify vulnerabilities and promote AI safety. By collaborating with organizations such as Singapore’s AI Verify Foundation and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s GenAI Sandbox, OneDegree Global has solidified its leadership in AI security across multiple markets, including Korea, Singapore, and Thailand. The company’s target clients include financial institutions, insurers, and enterprises seeking enhanced AI governance and cybersecurity solutions. Long-term plans include affordable offerings tailored to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that face challenges with security budgets and regulatory compliance.  

Since entering the Korean market in 2022, OneDegree Global has achieved significant milestones, including a partnership with a leading Korean technology provider to launch the country’s first cloud-based insurance platform for SSI. The company was also shortlisted for the K-Startup Grand Challenge 2024, an initiative supported by Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups. Through this program, OneDegree Global aims to localize its Web3 and cybersecurity solutions, further strengthening its position in Korea’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.  

Looking ahead, OneDegree Global is actively seeking partnerships with financial institutions, AI startups, and accelerators to expand its presence in Korea. With a strong focus on Generative AI and cybersecurity, the company is poised to drive innovation and support Korea’s growth as a leading hub for AI and digital transformation in the Asia-Pacific region. 

What problems are we trying to solve?

OneDegree Global is addressing multiple challenges in the 3 most prominent technology trends: cyber security, AI and Web3. The fundamental problems include validating AI security including Generative AI and Large Language Models. Also, we deliver a digital-first infrastructure for small-amount and short-term insurers (SSI) to provide protections in emerging risks including Web3 and cyber, as they often struggle with high market entry costs and limited digital capabilities in Korea.

How are we trying to solve this problem?

OneDegree Global is solving these problems through multiple strategic approaches. For AI security, we developed Cymetrics Vulcan, an advanced AI security tool that performs rigorous vulnerability assessments and ensures Responsible AI standards. In the insurance sector, we created a cloud-based, low-code insurance platform that dramatically reduces market entry barriers for insurers and brokers. We leverage international cybersecurity expertise, strategic partnerships with technology providers, and participation in innovation sandboxes to develop and validate our solutions.

What are our competitive advantages over your competitors? What is our advantage in terms of technology/skills?

OneDegree Global’s competitive advantages stem from our deep technological expertise and multi-market experience. We hold multiple international cybersecurity certifications, including ISO42001 Lead Auditor, CCSP, and CISA, which validates their technical credibility. Our expert team Cymertics won 1st place at HITCON Cyber Range 2024 demonstrates our cutting-edge defensive cybersecurity skills. The leadership, particularly CEO Michelle Ip, brings extensive experience in insurtech, digital transformation, and market expansion across ASEAN and East Asian markets, providing a unique competitive edge.

What is the product/service we are providing, and what is its current status?

Cymetrics Vulcan is an advanced AI security tool that focuses on large language model (LLM) red teaming, designed to assess AI models for vulnerabilities and comply with Responsible AI standards. Currently as a member of the Singapore Infocomm Media Development Authority’s AI Verify Foundation, and a participant in the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s GenAI Sandbox, Cymetrics is solidifying its leadership in AI safety and security through partnerships with top FSIs and enterprises in multiple markets, including Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and more. 

What is the market size our product/service is targeting, and who are our key target customers?

The market potential for our AI security solutions is substantial and rapidly expanding. According to Horizon Grand View Research, the Generative AI market in South Korea is projected to reach USD 702.5 million by 2030, with an impressive CAGR of 38.1% from 2024 to 2030, highlighting the significant market opportunity. McKinsey & Company research underscores this growth potential, revealing that 20% of organizations plan to increase AI solution investments in the next three years. As AI technologies become more pervasive, the need for robust cybersecurity and comprehensive risk management systems becomes increasingly critical, which paves the way for Cymetrics’s innovative products and services.

Our key target clients include financial service institutions, insurance companies, enterprises seeking AI security assessments, and organizations looking to enhance their AI governance and cybersecurity capabilities across ASEAN and East Asian markets. While our initial traction is driven by large enterprises as early AI adopters, our long-term goal is to offer affordable solutions tailored to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which often face challenges with security budgets and regulatory compliance.

Why did we enter the Korean market, and what are we trying to achieve here?

At OneDegree Global, we see Korea as a pivotal player in the AI landscape, with a clear vision to become the world’s leading global AI powerhouses. The establishment of the National AI Committee in Korea, focused on diversity, inclusiveness, and trustworthiness, strongly aligns with our mission to promote responsible, secure AI.

We believe Korea’s robust AI infrastructure is key to this growth. With substantial investments from leading tech players in AI data centers, high-performing AI chips, and network advancements, Korea is building an ideal environment for large-scale, innovative AI deployment.

OneDegree Global’s years of deep experience across Asia and Middle East markets position us well to bring values to Korea’s thriving ecosystem. By contributing our expertise in AI security solutions, we aim to support Korea’s journey to AI leadership in the APAC region and strengthen the competitiveness of its AI companies.

What have been our achievements so far, particularly in the Korean market?

OneDegree Global has first established a foothold in Korea since 2022, by strategically partnering with the top leading technology solution provider in the Korean insurance market, to launch the market’s first cloud-based insurance platform service. By offering low-code capabilities and cloud-based scalability, the localized platform has a clear mission to empower small-amount and short-term insurers (SSI) to enter the market with minimal setup costs and harness digital insurance capabilities. In additional to insurtech, OneDegree Global has been shortlisted as one of the 40 participants in Korea’s K-Startup Grand Challenge (KSGC) 2024 with the objective to identify opportunities to localize our Web3 and Cybersecurity solutions. This incredible opportunity is supported by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Republic of Korea and hosted by KISED (Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development). The KSGC aims to promote the expansion of an open entrepreneurship ecosystem in Asia and to help South Korea evolve into a leading start-up business hub in the region.

What are our team’s competitive advantages?

OneDegree Global differentiates itself in the market through its dedicated expertise and in-depth understanding of financial technologies and cybersecurity. In the past years we have devoted ourselves to the development of AI security, which distinguishes ourselves as valuable contributors to the field. OneDegree Global currently holds various international cybersecurity certifications including ISO42001 Lead Auditor, CCSP and CISA, and has recently been awarded 1^st place at HITCON Cyber Range 2024, one of Taiwan’s toughest blue team (defensive) cybersecurity contests.

Michelle Ip, CEO of OneDegree Global, has more than 12 years of experience in insurance and insurtech start-ups, including greenfield market entry, oversight and business development across multiple countries in ASEAN like Cambodia, Myanmar and East Asia. Michelle was previously the founding member of iFWD (FWD Hong Kong), the no.1 digital insurer in Hong Kong between 2015-2018. In April 2018, Michelle co-founded her first start-up, Sugar AI, a fintech startup which was later integrated into bolttech.

What do we need most right now  to enter the Korean market? 

With a keen focus in GenAI and cybersecurity, OneDegree Global is poised to make impactful strides in Korea, offering innovative solutions and contributing to the advancement of the local tech landscape. We are actively seeking partnership opportunities with leading FSIs, accelerators, AI startups and system integrators to explore collaboration.