Retorio analyzes applicant videos and aims to help find the right candidate for a job opening. The startup combines cutting-edge technologies with insights from psychology. In an interview, the founding trio explains their product.
Munich Startup: Who are you and what do you do? Please briefly introduce yourself and your product!
Retorio: Retorio is a video recruiter that combines artificial intelligence and machine learning with scientific findings from psychology and organizational research. Retorio reliably recognizes a person's communication behavior and key personality traits from even short application videos. This allows talent to be identified more effectively and reliably and compared with various job profiles.
We are a founding team of three people, two of whom are former doctoral students at the Technical University of Munich who hold doctorates in psychology and management, and one AI specialist who studied computer science and mathematics. We met during our time together at the Technical University of Munich, conducting research on various topics.
“People are initially skeptical about major innovations”
Munich Startup: But that's been around for a long time!
RetorioThere are solutions that only offer video or build a product around a third-party API. Very few know what they're actually doing or can present a scientifically sound concept. Our application helps provide a quick assessment based on behavioral data. Without a human necessarily having to watch the video (although they can still do so).
Munich Startup: What has been your biggest challenge so far?
Retorio: As in many areas, people are initially skeptical about major innovations, which is a good thing. Take the current discussion about autonomous driving. There's a lot of discussion here regarding AI. The same applies to applications in other areas — like HR. Both of the concepts we use have been known for decades. In AI, statistical approaches have been around since the 1970s (even before). In psychology, the concept of the Big 5 (also called OCEAN, which stands for Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism) has also been around for over 40 years. What's new is the combination of the two.
“Munich is an excellent hub”
Munich Startup: Let’s get down to business: How is business going?
Retorio: We currently have a good pipeline and well-known clients from the DAX. However, we are affordable for companies of all sizes. Startups and medium-sized companies can particularly benefit.
Munich Startup: What does Munich mean to you?
Retorio: Munich is an excellent hub. Here, you'll find the best-educated people, a highly supportive environment, investors, and exchange opportunities. Many potential customers are also based here. Personally, two of the three founders are from the surrounding area and grew up here. Since we founded our company from a university environment, the proximity to the university and the constant exchange about new research are also very relevant.
Munich Startup: How does your startup become the next unicorn? Or will we see you soon at Epic Fail Night?
Retorio: We still have a lot planned and see many areas of application. The best way to achieve this is through motivated employees and satisfied customers.
Munich Startup: Fish on a stick or pork knuckle?
Retorio: We are intercultural and represent many worldviews. Out of consideration for animals and the environment, we currently prefer paneer masala.
