AmorePacific Opens Public Recruitment for 'Huimanggage' Founders

Support Program for Economic Independence of Single Mothers
Providing Startup Loans up to 40 Million KRW at 1% Annual Interest Rate

Amorepacific announced on the 31st that it will open applications for the single-parent women entrepreneurship loan support project "Hope Store," in collaboration with the Beautiful Foundation, from February 1 to 29.

Hope Store is a project that supports single-parent women and their children in creating healthy and beautiful lives through entrepreneurship. The application target is single-parent women responsible for supporting children born after January 1, 2000. Any female head of household with a concrete business plan and a middle income of 70% or less can apply.

Through a screening process, Hope Store provides selected entrepreneurs with up to 40 million KRW in startup funds. The loan interest rate is 1% per annum, and the repayment period is 8 years. The repayment funds are used as startup support funds for other single-parent women. Additionally, professional entrepreneurship consulting, including startup education and post-opening management, as well as financial education, legal advice, psychological counseling, and technical training expenses are supported.

Hope Store began in 2003 with the donation of the founder's legacy to honor the will of Amorepacific's founder, Chairman Seonghwan Seo, who worked to promote the welfare of women and children. Since opening its first store in January 2004, more than 520 Hope Stores have opened, helping about 1,500 members of single-parent families achieve independence. In November last year, the 20th anniversary exhibition "Her Story, Hope Story" was held to reflect on 20 years with entrepreneurs, judges, and Amorepacific officials.

Application forms can be found on the Beautiful Foundation Hope Store website and can be submitted by mail or in person. This year, in addition to this first round, there will be further calls for Hope Store entrepreneurs in May and August.