WadizSelected as Private Operator for 'LIPS II'

– Wadiz, the third-year organizer of 'Lips 1', has been selected for 'Lips 2', solidifying its position as a specialized VC for 'Licon'.

– Wadiz-backed brands achieve combined 2024 sales of 41 billion won… 45% growth year-over-year

– "We will strengthen our role as a growth partner for emerging brands by launching products co-developed with promising brands and expanding into global markets."

Wadizis expected to accelerate its support program for nurturing emerging brands in the lifestyle sector.

Wadiz(CEO Shin Hye-seong, www.wadiz.kr) announced on the 27th that its investment subsidiary Wadiz(CEO So Kang-seop) has been selected as the private operator for the '2025 Innovative Small Business Investment Linkage Support Project (LIPS II, hereinafter LIPS 2)'.

Lips 2 is a program where private investors designated by the Small Business Market Promotion Corporation under the Ministry of SMEs and Startups provide initial investment to promising small business owners. Upon their recommendation, the Ministry then provides matching funds for commercialization. Operating funds are supported up to three times the private investment amount, capped at 200 million won, with a maximum of 300 companies receiving support this year.

Wadizhas been selected as the lead agency for the LIPS I (Linked Investment Private Sector) matching loan program since 2023 and is now in its third year of operation. LIPS I provides policy funding matching support of up to five times the investment amount, capped at 500 million won, to small business owners when private investors make initial investments. This year's budget for the program is 40 billion won.

Following its selection as the lead agency for Lips 1 in 2023, Wadizhas now been chosen as the private operator for Lips 2, solidifying its recognition as a venture capital firm specializing in nurturing entrepreneurial small business owners in the LICON sector.

Additionally, Wadizjointly invested in the 'LICORN Fund' with Lotte Home Shopping last year and, as the fund manager, plans to focus on investing in and nurturing lifestyle and local brands with high growth potential. Wadizwas selected as the first general partner (GP) for the 'LICORN Fund,' newly established as a master fund in 2024.

Companies invested in Wadizare growing rapidly. The 20 emerging brands selected for Wadizbrand development program 'Next Brand' achieved sales of 41 billion won in 2024, a 45% increase from the previous year, continuing their growth trajectory.

Sokangseop, CEO Wadiz, stated, "With the selection of Lips2 as the private operator, we expect promising companies that have received investment Wadizto secure operational funds enabling them to focus on developing innovative products and researching and developing content." He added, "This year, Wadizto strengthen our role as a growth partner for emerging brands by directly expanding overseas through Wadiz Global Service, which will launch products co-developed with NextBrand within the first half of this year."