Funding Transcends Borders… Wadiz Connects Unique Global Brands with Supporters

Funding Transcends Borders… Wadiz Connects Unique Global Brands with Supporters

-  Beyond the Domestic Market, 'High-End' Brands from Around the World Launch in Korea Through Funding… Capturing the Hearts of Gen MZ Seeking 'Uniqueness' and 'Novelty'
- 'Korea's First Wine Funding' Spanish Valduero, French High-End Dessert 'Sold Out'...A New Distribution Method Conveying Brand Value and Philosophy

Renowned brands that first gained recognition overseas are successfully launching domestically through the funding platform.

Life design funding platform Wadiz announced that alongside growing demand for new and special products both domestically and internationally, 'Global Funding' featuring 'Korea's First' and 'Limited Edition' products is attracting attention as a new distribution method.  

Wadiz's 'Global Funding' refers to funding projects that formally introduce products first verified overseas to the domestic market. From beauty to food, tech, and fashion, a market of consumers who don't hesitate to purchase from overseas brands, supporters seeking newer and more unique offerings, and brands eager to meet more diverse fans—these converging needs have led to Wadiz creating its own exclusive service to expand opportunities for makers in the global market.

Responses to brands introduced through funding for the first time have been especially enthusiastic. On the 4th, Korea's first wine funding featuring Spanish premium wine house 'Valduero' saw its signature wine in two varieties sell out in just 5 minutes from opening, with entire inventory gone within an hour. French premium chocolate 'La Maison du Chocolat', which launched exclusively in Korea in limited quantities in December, also sold out in 20 minutes.

The popularity of 'high-end' brands difficult to access domestically is no less remarkable. McIntosh, America's representative audio house with a legacy since 1949, achieved approximately 200 million won in funding with its all-in-one Bluetooth speaker approaching 2 million won in price, attracting nearly 120 supporters. The holiday limited-edition package from jewelry brand 'Chopard', official sponsor of the Cannes Film Festival, saw its highest-tier Rose de Carolle—available in only 5 pieces in Korea—sell out first just 10 minutes into the funding.

This entry of global major brands into funding is analyzed as being due to the growing popularity of direct overseas purchase markets in recent times, combined with the ability to convey unique brand storytelling to funding participants who strongly pursue 'uniqueness' and 'novel' experiences.  

Park Sang-hyuk, Director of Wadiz Global Sourcing Team, stated, "The recent increased interest from global major players in Wadiz stems not from volume-based distribution alone, but from a desire to communicate brand values and philosophy with new customers through storytelling and build loyalty," adding "Going forward, through designing direct import structures, we plan to carefully select unique items such as premium wines, globally renowned designer apparel, and vintage collections in collaboration with category-specific partners, and present trends where supporters can encounter origins from around the world."

Lee Young-hee, CEO of 'Wine Forest', which first introduced Spanish Valduero wine through funding, stated, "We are pleased to demonstrate our authenticity in introducing hidden gem wines from around the world to more people through Wadiz," adding "A funding platform is the finest channel for first introducing the true value of good brands and products."

Meanwhile, 'Global Funding' can be introduced not only for products launching for the first time in Korea but also brand products that have been distributed overseas—regardless of domestic or overseas brands—at special prices and benefits, which is the biggest differentiator from general funding. Introduction is possible through exclusive distribution on Wadiz, special configurations for supporters only, limited editions, and so on, with e-commerce law applied.