Plain Bagel Captivates Indian University Students with English Education App

[Startups Nurtured by Seoul City] Content Platform Targeting Digital Natives... Support for 'Growth Promotion Comprehensive Package'

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Founded in 2016, Plain Bagel is a content platform startup that provides media services to users by utilizing advanced artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. Since 2018, it has been receiving various support such as funding from private investment institutions, marketing, mentoring, and networking through the Accelerating Center operated by the Seoul Business Agency (SBA). Recently, it was also selected for the 'Growth Promotion Comprehensive Package,' a program by the Seoul Metropolitan Government that supports promising startups recommended by private venture capital firms with 100 million KRW per company for research and development (R&D), market expansion, and intellectual property applications. CEO Yoo Jin-jae (pictured) said, "We received objective verification of the marketability and growth potential of our business, quickly obtained information on various support programs, and through substantial investment, we overcame the startup death valley and realized our vision as entrepreneurs."

The company focuses on video and messenger platforms most used by the digital native generation and operates the video-based English education app 'Skippy' and the messenger-based simulation game app 'Picka.' Skippy initially targeted India, where demand for English learning is explosively increasing, aiming for global service. After launching on the Google Play Store, it gained popularity among Indian university students aged 18 to 24 through word of mouth, achieving 4.5 million cumulative downloads and 100 million daily page views. By the end of this year, the company plans to aggressively target the Indian market with a new English learning app applying more advanced AI.

Domestically, the company is aiming for a new market in the gaming sector with Picka, an interactive app where users create stories through chatting with AI characters. Operating via real-time communication with AI on the server, users can experience emotions, meet their ideal type, or live someone else's life by conversing with virtual partners through a messenger app. Upon launching the iOS app in October last year, it ranked second in the overall game rankings, and its flagship title 'Love of the Month,' released in May this year, also ranked fourth. Recently, the company signed an IP (intellectual property) collaboration contract with Naver's popular webtoon 'Yumi's Cells' and plans to release related content timed with the TV drama airing next year.