The Invention Lab (CEO Jinyoung Kim) announced that it has finalized six strategic investment targets for the first half of 2026 and will strengthen its growth support system based on collaboration among its portfolio companies. This investment focused on early- and growth-stage startups with technological prowess, a stable revenue structure, and potential for market expansion.
The Invention Lab recommended 18 TIPS and 22 LIPS companies in 2025, achieving approximately KRW 15 billion in policy funding. Building on this experience, in 2026, the lab plans to establish a network of "senior entrepreneurs" from existing portfolio companies that received policy funding, allowing them to participate in the growth process of new investment companies. This will go beyond simple investment support and create a collaborative growth environment where facilities, technology, logistics infrastructure, and management consulting are shared.
The companies invested in this round are comprised of teams with proven business viability and execution capabilities across a variety of industries, including AI, content, finance, beauty, and global lifestyle.
Good Did AI Film Studio (CEOs Hae-ri Shin and Min-wook Kim) is a content production company equipped with an AI-based automated production system and a rapid trend response system. It is building an efficient content production structure through AI influencer IP and a collaborative model with actual creators.
LikePlayX (CEO Kim Baro) is a company that develops fandom-based businesses centered on sports content IP, and is simultaneously expanding its online and offline revenue models by utilizing content brands.
Devol Company (CEO Jang-gyu Lee) is a startup developing B2B solutions to improve the efficiency of corporate financial operations. Starting with automated accounts receivable management, the company plans to expand its services to include non-performing loan management.
Portfolio expansion continues in the global market and lifestyle sectors. SKIM (CEO Jin-gam Park) is targeting the "K-slow aging" market, which has emerged as a global beauty trend, through its functional cosmetics brand "Lumiderm." Meitutu (CEO Hee-won Wi), which operates the dessert brand "Anghodu," which reinterprets traditional walnut snacks with a modern brand and character IP, is pursuing local store expansion in Vietnam after securing additional investment. Furthermore, CollaboX Korea (CEO Joo-hong Lee) serves as a platform to support domestic F&B startups entering the Southeast Asian market, expanding overseas collaborations among The Invention Lab's portfolio.
Kim Jin-young, CEO of The Invention Lab, said, “If last year was a time to lay the foundation for growth through policy funding, this year will be a time to strengthen the competitiveness of our portfolio, focusing on AI and lifestyle fields.” He added, “We will continue to support the practical growth of our portfolio companies not only through investment but also through collaboration with our entrepreneurial network and infrastructure.”
Recently, in the startup investment industry, a "venture studio-style investment model" that moves beyond simple equity investment and utilizes collaboration and infrastructure sharing among portfolio companies is gaining attention as a new growth strategy.
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