Gather round, all the vibrant 'Licon' brands!

April 17, 2024 | START UP, Adding Value

Wadiz Better P.L.U.S introduces Wadizkey initiatives and achievements for the sustainable development of startups and small businesses, organized into five parts: △Partner △Local △Unique △Start-up △Social impact. Through this, we aim to continuously contribute to expanding the startup ecosystem with a business model that grows alongside small businesses.
We ask for your interest and support in Wadizjourney to createa 'world where anyone can take on challenges'.

Gather round, all the vibrant 'Licon' brands!

This episode's theme is #Start-up, introducing 'Next Brand' growing alongsideWadiz.

Startup Support Program Wadiz Next Brand Showcase

Wadizsupports the growth of early-stage companies through its investment subsidiary, Wadiz, with its growth support programWadiz NextBrand'.. It provides comprehensive support ranging from direct investment to financial assistance and market expansion.

Wadizhas directly invested in 19 companies with outstanding potential that launched their businesses throughWadiz. Last year, NextBrand, a company invested in by Wadiz, achieved sales of 26.2 billion won. Its average sales growth rate reached 62%. Although still an early-stage company, NextBrand achieved strong results last year, generating total sales of 26.1 billion won.

Achievements of Startups Selected as Wadiz Next Brands

Next Brand discovers small business owners in the lifestyle and local sectors. What they have in common is that they grew by developing products that solve everyday inconveniences or enhance quality of life. Let me introduce some representative Next Brand selected companies!

#1 On rainy days, may the products you use be both useful and stylish… 'Rainworks'

Wadiz Next Brand_Startup_Ultra-Lightweight Umbrella Normalist

Check out the 'I'm 111g' Ultra-Lightweight Umbrella Project

The first place we'll introduce is 'Normalist,' which operates an umbrella brand called 'Rainworks.'

Normalist was a small business owner who dreamed of expanding from sunscreen-focused products to include umbrellas, all with the goal of sun care. Wadiz, impressed by its successful Wadiz funding history, invested and selected it as a Next Brand. Thanks to this, received investmentWadizand support from 'LIPS'*, a matching loan program for entrepreneurial small business owners.

Through collaborationWadizWadiz, our specialized brand incubation subsidiary, we've secured positive marketing effects and are experiencing explosive growth.

Note 🔍
LIPS refers to the 'Private Investment-Linked Matching Loan (LIPS)' program run by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. For example, if Wadizinvests 100 million won, the government provides a low-interest loan of up to 500 million won. Wadizwas selected as the top LIPS operating institution last year.

Rainworks recorded sales of 2.3 billion won last year, a 60% increase from the previous year. Rainworks is a company achieving remarkable growth. Its flagship products include the 111g ultra-lightweight UV protection umbrella, carbon fiber umbrellas, and Sun Milk.

Startup support program Wadiz Next Brand Normalist features umbrella brand Rainworks

#2 Crafted with 122 years of sleep expertise… Sleep tech brand 'Foren'

The second Next Brand we'll introduce is Digging Me International, which operates the sleep tech brand 'Foren'.

Startup Support Program Wadiz Next Brand Digging Me International's Sleep Tech Brand Foren

Foren has garnered strong market response since its crowdfunding launch, driven by its product planning capabilities and technological expertise. It has grown into a dominant brand in the bedding category. During this process, it was selected as a Next Brand and secured investment. This significantly accelerated its growth momentum.

OnWadiz, it was selected as a strategic brand under the 'Brand of the Day' feature, demonstrating its marketing prowess. Through content creation and promotions, it achieved results and expanded into CJ and Hyundai Home Shopping channels via Wadizdistribution support serviceWadiz'. As a result, it recorded sales of 3.2 billion won, a 220% year-over-year increase, achieving remarkable growth.

Representative products include bedding items such as 'eco-friendly pillows' and 'duvets'. Emphasizing German manufacturing, they gained significant popularity by highlighting new materials and technological expertise.

Digging Me International recommends the Wadiz Scale-up Program. "ThroughWadiz, we secured customers and established performance metrics, then attached a growth booster by quickly attracting investment,"they added.

Startup Support Program Wadiz Next Brand Digging Me International's Sleep Tech Brand Foren

With over 1,800 new projects launching Wadizevery month, it's only natural that many promising small businesses and early-stage companies are discovered here. Wadizplans to expand its discovery and support initiatives for vibrant brands in the lifestyle and local sectors.

We ask for your keen interest in Wadizinitiatives, which extend beyond financial support like direct investment and matching loans to include domestic distribution channels and overseas expansion!