Kakao Makers Hits ₩1 Trillion in 9 Years: 'Impact Commerce' Takes Off

Kakao's impact commerce platform 'Kakao Makers' has achieved remarkable results, surpassing 1 trillion won in cumulative transaction volume in its ninth year since launch. After recording 700 billion won in March 2023, an additional 300 billion won was added in just one year, demonstrating steep growth. Through this performance announcement, Kakao emphasized the expansion of Kakao Makers' social influence. Kakao Makers, first introduced in 2016, aims for 'impact commerce' where consumer purchasing actions create positive changes for the environment and society. This has provided new opportunities for over 8,200 manufacturers and creators who faced difficulties securing sales channels, leading to the sale of over 36.5 million products and participation from 3.03 million people in group orders to date. In particular, the 'Jegabeochi' project has played a key role in securing stable sales channels for agricultural, livestock, and fishery products. Since its launch in August 2021, approximately 7,000 tons of these products have been connected with 2.31 million consumers, recording a cumulative transaction volume of 44.5 billion won, and is evaluated as having contributed to alleviating the burden on farmers and fishermen and stabilizing market prices. In terms of environmental protection, the achievements of the 'Saegabeochi' project also shine. Over 100,000 customers directly upcycled 9.12 million used items such as old T-shirts and coffee capsules, transforming them into new products, and the sales proceeds were donated to children's and environment-related organizations. In addition to these, Kakao Makers is carrying out various social contribution activities. The 'Eco Seed' fund, which accumulates 100 won per product order, raised approximately 1.35 billion won by April 2025, supporting social and environmental improvement projects such as donating school bags to elementary students, creating urban rest spaces, and collecting marine waste. Furthermore, through its custom-made brand 'P.O.M (Peace Of Mind)', it has raised over 1.1 billion won in cumulative donations, and recently, 12 million won from the sales proceeds of products supporting senior artists' creative activities will be donated to the 'Visiting Senior Digital School'. Kakao plans to further expand its social influence by, for example, continuously operating an aseptic carton collection service, holding a nationwide aseptic carton upcycling contest, and strengthening the 'One-Day Trip' project to revitalize local tourism. Kakao Makers Leader Jo Chang-yeop stated, "This is the result of producers and consumers acting together and striving for common values," and revealed that Kakao Makers will establish itself as an impact commerce platform that continues sustainable innovation and social contribution based on ESG management.