[IT Dong-a x SparkLabs] The Southeast Region ICT Innovation Square Expansion Project is overseen by the Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency and aims to cultivate digital talent in the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam regions, promote the digital transformation of regionally specialized industries, and build a startup ecosystem. As part of this project, IT Dong-a is introducing startups being nurtured by SparkLabs.


In a startup’s growth process, the stage at which a region-based service expands nationwide is a critical turning point. Once a stable service foundation is established, a strategy is required to broaden the market through partnerships and technological capabilities. Similar trends are being observed in the fishing app market.

Connect Zero (CEO Lee Seung-yeop), which operates the fishing app “Nakmat: The Taste of Fishing” (hereinafter Nakmat), has unveiled its 2026 business expansion roadmap. The company plans to shift from a Busan–Ulsan–Gyeongnam-centered service to a nationwide service by expanding its expert fishing gear consulting service, advancing its personalized AI, and building nationwide partnerships.

Expert consulting and personalized AI expected to boost conversion and retention

Connect Zero’s core business focus for 2026 is its expert gear consulting service. When novice anglers or users considering equipment replacement enter information such as target fish species, budget, and fishing experience, experts including former professional fishing athletes and veteran tackle shop operators recommend customized gear.

After submitting a request form, users receive a customized gear recommendation list and quote following expert review. They can then purchase products at partner tackle shops and receive setup support. This is an O2O (Online to Offline) service that goes beyond providing information online by directly connecting users to offline stores.


To support this service, Connect Zero is working to establish partnerships with tackle shops nationwide. The goal is to build a structure that connects customers seeking to purchase fishing gear with professional tackle shops in a mutually beneficial way. For local small business owners, this secures a new customer acquisition channel, while users gain access to reliable expert advice.

On the product side, the company will officially launch its personalized AI service and strengthen its subscription offering. Based on approximately 80,000 fishing result (catch) data points, Nakmat is preparing a personalized AI that provides customized strategies reflecting users’ existing gear, preferred fish species, and fishing experience. The target is an official launch in the second half of 2026.

In addition, point follow and notification functions will be further segmented so that users can receive more refined real-time information about fishing spots of interest. By improving the paywall (paid conversion screen) and onboarding (initial user guidance) to more clearly communicate the benefits of its subscription service “Nakmat Pass,” the company plans to increase conversion and retention rates.

The fishing gear commerce service “Nakmat Shop” will also be strengthened. By enhancing connectivity so that users can immediately purchase rigs (fishing tackle) and consumables recommended in AI strategy reports, the app aims to provide an integrated experience from information browsing to gear purchase within a single application.

From Busan–Ulsan–Gyeongnam to nationwide, also targeting TIPS selection

Connect Zero has so far focused its services on the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam regions. In 2026, it plans to expand into the national market by securing partner tackle shops across the country and advancing its personalized AI. The company also aims to diversify its revenue structure through the concurrent growth of its subscription service and commerce business.

Furthermore, leveraging its accumulated technology and data assets, the company is targeting follow-on investment and selection for TIPS (Tech Incubator Program for Startup, a private investment-led technology startup support program). TIPS is a flagship startup support program run by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups; selected companies can receive up to KRW 500 million in R&D funding along with various types of startup support.


Lee Seung-yeop, CEO of Connect Zero, stated, “For Nakmat, 2026 will be the year of elevating from a region-based service to a nationwide service,” adding, “Through expert gear consulting and personalized AI, the service will deliver tangible value to all anglers, from beginners to experts.”

Nakmat is currently available for free download on Google Play and Apple App Store, and users can choose between the basic free service and the paid subscription service (Nakmat Pass).

Reporter Kim Young-woo, IT Dong-a (pengo@itdonga.com)

Popular News