AlphaLab (CEO Sujun Bang) has been selected as the private operator of LIPS, a private investment and government fund matching support program by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.
LIPS is a program that applies TIPS, which encourages technology startups, to the small business sector. It is a project where private operators designated by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Small Enterprise and Market Service first invest in promising small business owners and then recommend them, enabling matching support of private investment and government funds to help them grow as entrepreneurs.
'Private Investment-Linked Matching Loan (LIPS I)' matches policy funds up to 5 times the investment amount, with a limit of 500 million KRW, for small business owners discovered and invested in by private operators. The budget for this year is 40 billion KRW. The newly established 'Innovative Small Business Investment-Linked Support (LIPS II)' provides additional commercialization funds up to 3 times the investment amount, with a limit of 200 million KRW, to 300 companies.
AlphaLab, selected as the private operator this time, is Korea's first Humilak industry accelerator company that discovers, nurtures, and supports investment in early-stage companies with growth potential. The Humilak industry refers to the "rest, eat, and enjoy" industry, encompassing all business areas related to lifestyle.
AlphaLab has held more than 20 incubation programs over 6 years, including the community-based action learning program for founders called 'Insaeng Jangsa School' and the overseas program 'Amazing Race,' producing over 650 graduates of prospective and early-stage entrepreneurs.
In 2023, AlphaLab formed a private investment association specializing in food service ventures and successfully made its first investment in the wine and liquor F&B brand 'Tap Shop Bar.' Following this, it completed the formation of private investment associations targeting companies in the Humilak industry such as the lodging-specialized solution company 'Gonggan Road' and the offline group purchase platform 'Gamja Market,' reportedly raising a total of 2.4 billion KRW in investment funds to date. According to the company, including direct investments, they have achieved a total investment attraction of 3.8 billion KRW within one year of full-scale investment.
In 2024, rather than entering the overheated self-employed market directly, AlphaLab published 'Invest in the God of Business,' a message encouraging investment in small business owners who run their businesses well.
CEO Sujun Bang said, "We are pleased to have been selected as the private operator of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' LIPS program, which allows us as a professional investment company to discover and invest in small business owners with growth potential and contribute to their growth as entrepreneurs." He added, "Through LIPS, we will actively support small business owners to achieve sustainable growth and create meaningful change." He further stated, "AlphaLab's ultimate vision is to become a management company that comprehensively supports the growth of small business owners through investment, nurturing, and professional planning."
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