– Selection and announcement of five promising Licon companies showing growth potential in the lifestyle and local sectors
–Wadiz Next Brand,” a comprehensive support program offering direct investment, assistance in developing domestic and international sales channels, and matched loans
– Approximately 70 representatives from NextBrand-selected companies, as well as the retail and financial sectors, attended the event to explore collaboration opportunities
Wadizlife design funding platform Wadizannounced that the third showcase forWadiz NEXT BRAND,” operated Wadiz— Wadizinvestment subsidiary—was successfully held Wadiz“Space Wadiz” in Seongsu-dong.
Wadiz Next Brand is a mutual growth support program that identifies promising small and medium-sized brands and nurtures them into companies that will lead future lifestyles through Wadizinfrastructure support, including investment and matching loans. Selected brands are eligible to receive up to 100 million won in investment per brand and a recommendation for up to 500 million won in “private investment-linked matching loans,” as well as various follow-up distribution support.
This event was organized to introduce companies that received new investments in the second half of last year. Under the theme “RISING LICORNS,” the event featured presentations on the brand stories and growth trajectories of five promising “LICORN” companies—which show potential to grow into unicorns in the lifestyle and local sectors—followed by a networking session.
In addition to promising companies selected as "Next Brands," the event was attended by representatives from government agencies such as the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Small Business and Market Service, as well as major retail conglomerates including Hyundai Home Shopping, Lotte Home Shopping, Lotte Mart, CJ ENM, and GS Retail, and financial institutions such as KB Kookmin Card, who explored ways to foster brands through strategic collaboration.
The five companies selected for this year’s Next Brand program are LUTONICS, Diggimi International, Baobab Tree, Grills Union, and Vision Red. The selection includes fast-growing vegan beauty companies, home living and general merchandise brands, as well as fashion and F&B companies. The selection criteria were based on a comprehensive evaluation of factors such as successful funding history, the uniqueness of products and services, and business growth strategies.
Diggingmi International, selected as a Next Brand, explained that it recommends the Wadiz Scale-Up Program because Wadiz funding helped it secure customers and establish key performance indicators, while rapid investment attraction served as a growth booster. After receiving investment Wadiz, Diggingmi International demonstrated its success by achieving over 200% year-over-year revenue growth.
So Kang-seop, CEO Wadiz, stated, “Now in its third year, the Wadiz Next Brand Showcase is an event where we officially introduce the future ‘Licon’ companies that Wadizis directly nurturing.” He added, “We will work with our partner organizations to help these Licon companies establish themselves in high-value-added service industries and new manufacturing sectors, thereby contributing to the diversification of K-brands.”
Meanwhile, Wadizwas selected as the top-performing operator of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ Private Investment-Linked Matching Loan Program (LIPS) last year, based on its achievements in identifying promising small business owners and expanding their sales channels in collaboration Wadizits parent company, Wadiz. This year, the company plans to strengthen its support for the growth of LIPS-selected companies at every stage of their lifecycle by providing active incubation and assistance with follow-on funding.
