Key Takeaways:

• Bytelab closed its first-ever external funding round.
• The  KRW 10 billion ($7.3 million) round was led by Atinum Investment, with participation from CJ Olive Young.
• The investment pairs Bytelab with one of South Korea's most established venture capital firms and the retail giant that operates over 1,300 stores nationwide.

Bytelab (also known as BiTELAB), a South Korean beauty-tech startup behind brands like lilyeve, secured a KRW 10 billion (approx. $7.3 million) investment round.

WHO: Founded in 2020, and headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, Bytelab operates a portfolio of proprietary brands: haircare label lilyeve, skincare brand Saekdong Seoul, and lifestyle brand Baruner. Its flagship brand, lilyeve, has gained notable traction in the haircare category on Amazon in the United States and is expanding its footprint across North America, Asia, and the Middle East.

WHY: This deal offers both capital and a direct path to one of Asia's most influential beauty retail platforms. Bytelab plans to use the investment for R&D, strengthening its business infrastructure, and talent acquisition.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS: “Over the past five years, we built our brand competitiveness and growth foundation entirely without external investment, and this round validates that potential,” said Yonghoon Cho, CEO of Bytelab. “We will continue to nurture K-consumer brands with global appeal and establish ourselves as a world-class brand builder.”

DETAILS:

• Bytelab closed its first-ever external funding round, a KRW 10 billion ($7.3 million) investment led by Atinum Investment, with strategic backing from the health and beauty retailer CJ Olive Young.
• The company, including...