Wadiz's 3-Year Crowdfunding Record: ₩13.3 Billion for 876 Small Businesses

The 'Our Town Crowdfunding' support project, operated in collaboration by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the Small Enterprise and Market Service, and Wadiz, has driven the successful growth of local small business owners and generated brilliant results over three years. This project aims to support small business owners in establishing a foundation for self-reliance by attracting funds from the local community and investors. Wadiz participated as the operating agency for this project for three years starting from November 2023, supporting crowdfunding challenges for small business owners nationwide. As a result, a total of 876 small businesses participated, successfully attracting cumulative funding of 13.3 billion won from 170,000 citizen supporters, and the average success rate of funding projects approached 90%. Annual performance showed continuous growth. 4.3 billion won was recorded in 2023, 4.4 billion won during the first and second halves of 2024, and notably, in 2025, over 220 small businesses raised 4.6 billion won in funding in just half a year, achieving the highest performance to date. This year's small business crowdfunding saw over 50,000 supporters participate, demonstrating immense interest. Wadiz significantly contributed to alleviating the financial difficulties of small business owners by operating regional special exhibitions and providing active marketing support to prevent marginalization between regions. Successful cases include Seolarae Co., Ltd., a premium health food brand from the Gyeongbuk region, which raised 430 million won in one month with its 'Condensed Milk Agarwood Pill' (연유침향환). Hama Hama, a traditional liquor brand from Jeju Island, gained attention by showcasing its 'Nutty Makgeolli' (너티막걸리) and achieving approximately 13 million won in funding in just one week. Choi Dong-cheol, Vice President of Wadiz, emphasized that crowdfunding provides the fairest stage and new growth opportunities for small business owners, attaching great significance to the establishment of a foundation for their sustainable growth, beyond mere financial support, through public-private cooperation. Wadiz plans to further strengthen its role as a key partner in helping local small business owners enter not only the domestic online market but also overseas markets, by enhancing its AI-based global services and expanding its support projects in the future.