– Wadiz, the lead organizer of “Lips 1” in its third year, has been selected for “Lips 2” and recognized as a VC specializing in “Lycon”
– The 20-plus brands backed by Wadizgenerated combined revenue of 41 billion won in 2024… a 45% increase from the previous year
– “We will strengthen our role as a growth partner for emerging brands by launching products developed in collaboration with promising brands and expanding into global markets.”
WadizWadiz is expected to accelerate its efforts to support 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 Program (LIPS II, hereinafter LIPS 2).”
Lips 2 is a program administered by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) under which a private investment firm designated by the Small Business and Market Service provides initial investment to promising small business owners and then recommends them to the MSS, which then provides matching funds for commercialization. Operating funds of up to three times the amount of the private investment, capped at 200 million won, are provided, with support available for up to 300 companies this year.
Wadizwas selected as the lead agency for the Private Investment-Linked Matching Loan (LIPS I, hereinafter referred to as LIPS 1) program in 2023 and has been operating the program for three years. LIPS 1 is a program that provides policy funding of up to five times the amount of the private investor’s initial investment—up to a maximum of 500 million won—to small and medium-sized businesses. 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 selected as the private operator for LIPs 2, solidifying its reputation as a venture capital firm specializing in fostering entrepreneurial small business owners in the Lycon sector.
In addition, Wadizco-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) of the “LICORN Fund,” which was established in 2024 as a fund of funds.
Companies backed by Wadizare growing rapidly. The 20 emerging brands selected for "Next Brand," the brand incubation program operated Wadiz, saw their combined revenue reach 41 billion won in 2024—a 45% increase from the previous year—and continue to grow.
“With the selection of Lips2’s private operator, we expect promising companies that have received investment Wadizto secure the operational funds needed to focus on developing innovative products and conducting content R&D,” said So Kang-seop, CEO Wadiz. “In particular, this year we plan to strengthen our role as a growth partner for emerging brands by directly expanding into overseas markets through Wadiz Global Service, which will launch products jointly developed Wadizand NextBrand within the first half of this year,” he added.
