Startup Tendermore Uses AI to Slash Tender Application Time by 60%

In the world of business, securing contracts through tenders can be a game-changer for startups, SMEs, and NGOs. Yet, the process is notoriously complex, time-consuming, and fraught with potential pitfalls. Enter Tendermore, a Norwegian startup leveraging artificial intelligence to revolutionize how companies find and apply for tenders, making the once-daunting process faster, smarter, and more accessible.

From Sales and Coding to Tackling Tender Complexity

The story of Tendermore begins with two founders from very different backgrounds. Eivind Wassend, a seasoned sales professional, started selling newspapers at age 12 and later became Norway’s top alarm system salesperson through relentless door-to-door efforts. Sebastian Mandal, on the other hand, was coding by age 12 and quickly moved into machine learning and AI, building software solutions long before the current AI hype cycle.

Their paths converged at a now-defunct startup, where they discovered a shared passion for solving real-world problems. After running around 50 workshops with construction companies, they noticed a recurring theme: tender applications were a massive pain point. Nearly every company they spoke to cited the complexity and time drain of responding to tenders as a major obstacle.

The Hidden Challenges of Tender Applications

Applying for tenders is far more than filling out a form. It involves crafting detailed project proposals, budgets, documentation, and timelines—all while adhering to strict requirements. According to Mandal, even a small oversight buried deep in a lengthy document can disqualify an entire submission after days or weeks of work.

Language and framing add another layer of difficulty. Companies may be technically qualified but still lose bids if their responses don’t align with the expected tone or terminology. Moreover, many businesses struggle to identify which tenders are worth pursuing in the first place, often wasting time on opportunities they’re not qualified for.

On average, preparing a tender takes 30 to 40 hours, and for larger organizations, it can be a near-constant task across departments. This complexity puts smaller companies at a severe disadvantage compared to large enterprises that can dedicate entire teams to the process.

How Tendermore Works: AI Meets Human Workflow

Tendermore was designed by closely observing how companies currently manage tenders. Instead of forcing users into an unfamiliar system, the platform integrates AI into existing workflows—spreadsheets, requirement lists, and proposal structures that companies already use.

The platform connects to a company’s internal data sources—Google Drive, SharePoint, previous submissions, pricing data, equipment lists—and builds a structured knowledge base. Using a sophisticated retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) system, Tendermore ensures responses are grounded in verified company data rather than generic AI outputs.

The system breaks down tender requirements into a matrix, matching each with a short factual answer drawn from internal documents. It then highlights gaps and generates polished proposals that reflect the company’s unique voice through a brand analysis engine. This approach avoids the “generic AI” feel and makes the tool feel like an extension of the organization.

Human-in-the-Loop: Accuracy Over Automation

While Tendermore is AI-first, the founders emphasize that human oversight remains critical. Accuracy is paramount in tender submissions, so the platform is designed to minimize AI hallucinations. Early versions included web search capabilities, but this increased the risk of pulling in irrelevant or incorrect information. Now, the system relies solely on internal knowledge bases and keeps the AI’s creative freedom in check.

If the AI can’t find a basis for a claim, it leaves the section blank or flags it for human review. This ensures that factual accuracy is never compromised. The AI’s role is to transform structured facts into polished language, not to invent content.

Cross-Sector Opportunity: Beyond Public Tenders

Initially, Tendermore focused on public tenders, but the team quickly discovered that private tenders represent a much larger market—often two to four times the volume of public tenders. This insight reshaped their strategy.

The startup has gained traction with consultancies, contractors, and the hospitality sector. In construction, tenders are the backbone of revenue, with some companies handling several per month. In hospitality, seasonal events and development projects drive tender volume. Consulting firms also rely on tenders for major client projects and government contracts.

Interestingly, hotel groups frequently deal with large Requests for Proposals (RFPs) when developers choose brands for new buildings or estates. This cross-sector applicability has broadened Tendermore’s appeal.

Looking Ahead: Global Expansion and API Integration

Tendermore recently raised $400,000 in a funding round led by Antler and brought on Ymir Egilson, Visma’s youngest tech lead, as CTO. The company is now eyeing expansion beyond Europe, particularly into Asia, where many companies are unaware of international tender opportunities.

Future features will enable discovery, evaluation, and management of both private and public tenders in one place. The platform is also exploring API-based distribution, allowing consulting firms to embed Tendermore’s functionality into their existing software offerings.

The Mission: Making Opportunities Accessible

For Mandal and Wassend, the mission is clear: democratize access to tender opportunities. Wassend’s goal is to enable anyone to respond to tenders, while Mandal focuses on building the best AI for the task. Their alignment on accessibility drives every decision.

“No matter what kind of company we built, we wanted it to make opportunities more accessible,” Mandal says. “That’s really what motivates us.”

By reducing tender application time by up to 60%, Tendermore is leveling the playing field, giving smaller companies a fighting chance against larger competitors. In a world where contracts can make or break a business, this AI-powered platform is a game-changer.

Tags: AI tender automation, tender application software, Tendermore startup, AI for SMEs, tender process optimization, public and private tenders, AI-powered RFP response, tender management platform, Norwegian AI startup, Antler portfolio company

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