Ares3 (CEO Kim Da-in), a flower distribution service company, announced on the 15th that it has secured a total of 1 billion won in Series A funding. Global venture capital firm Strong Ventures participated as the lead investor, with Seoul National University Technology Holdings participating as a co-investor.
This investment is interpreted as a positive evaluation of Ares3's distribution capabilities across both B2C and B2B sectors, its stable revenue structure, and its sustainable management model.
Since its founding in 2020, Ares3 has operated the flower subscription service "Ernest Flower" and the mobile platform "Flowergo" for flower businesses. The company began as a non-profit project called "FLRY," selected for the 2017 Google Impact Challenge Korea TOP10, and began as a donation drive through wedding flower reuse.
Since then, Ares3 has established a farm-to-table flower distribution structure, transitioning to a system that distributes a variety of fresh flowers from partner farms and domestic and international vendors. As of 2024, the company has achieved annual sales of 6 billion won, demonstrating its industry-leading performance.
Honest Flower, a consumer subscription service, boasts a stable customer base, achieving a customer satisfaction score (NPS) of 76 and a repeat purchase rate of 60%. The company also has experience in brand partnerships, including offering flower subscription services for new Genesis car launches.
Flowergo, a B2B platform, allows flower growers to easily order products through a mobile app without having to visit offline markets. Since its launch, the platform has seen an average annual growth rate of 35%. Currently, approximately 20% of domestic flower growers use the platform, and it has a history of supplying to wedding venues at luxury hotels like the Shilla Hotel and Chosun Hotel.
Strong Ventures Director Bang Jin-ho evaluated Ares3 as “a team with a deep understanding of the flower distribution value chain and industry-leading capabilities in freshness management and operational efficiency,” and “as a company with a rare structure that can encompass both B2C and B2B, I believe they will be able to realize their vision of ‘making flowers a part of everyday life.’”
Seoul National University Technology Holdings CEO Mok Seung-hwan said, “In the flower industry, where digital transformation is difficult, Ares 3 has proven its market potential through low waste rates and efficient operations,” adding, “We look forward to continued technology-based distribution innovations in the future.”
Ares3 CEO Kim Da-in said, “This investment is not simply about raising funds, but rather a reflection of the operational capabilities and customer-centric strategies we have built over the past several years while focusing on the flower market,” adding, “We will continue to innovate in the industry so that everyone can enjoy a daily life with flowers.”
Ares3 plans to capitalize on this investment by expanding its Ernest Flower brand campaign and offline experience channels starting in the second half of the year. Through these efforts, the company aims to shift the perception that flowers are a luxury item and make them a part of everyday life.
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