As Korea’s digital economy continues to evolve, Korean creator-based startups are emerging as a fast-scaling segment within the broader startup ecosystem. These companies are building structured business models around content-driven traffic, setting themselves apart from more traditional sectors. One example is GLOW UP RIZZ, which recently reported a 300% year-over-year revenue increase, driven by its expanded Multi-Channel Business (MCB) model.
Creator-Led, Business-Focused Korean Startups Are Scaling Fast in the Industry
South Korea’s startup ecosystem has long been dominated by software, deep tech, and commerce platforms. But over the past few years, a new player has entered the scene—the Korean creator-based startups that leverage online influence to build structured, revenue-generating businesses.
The new-generation Korean creator-based startups are doing beyond just chasing views, but also converting digital attention into real, tangible business assets: online stores, private brands, education platforms, and consulting services.
As this space grows, GLOW UP RIZZ, a Seoul-based startup founded on creator-led content channels, provides a concrete example of how the model can scale.
GLOW UP RIZZ: a Real Case Study in the Growth of Korean Creator-Based Startups
GLOW UP RIZZ recently reported ₩9 billion KRW (approx. $6.5 million USD) in revenue for the first half of 2025, reflecting a 300% increase year-over-year.
Its revenue growth is largely driven by YOGO, a shopping platform closely tied to its content creators, which generated ₩11.5 billion KRW (approx. $8.3 million USD) in transaction volume and over 170,000 orders in six months.
This performance offers insight into how creator-led startups are no longer relying on ads or sponsorship alone, especially in South Korea. GLOW UP RIZZ’s model may not be revolutionary on its own—but it illustrates the broader industry trend: how creators turning platform engagement into full-stack business ecosystems.
Behind the Surge: Developing New Infrastructure for the Influencers
What drives this incredible revenue growth is how these Korean creator-based startups are now investing in infrastructure as well: logistics, product teams, content-linked commerce, and audience-specific branding.
In the case of GLOW UP RIZZ, commerce may have made up 86% of revenue in the first half of 2025. But that percentage is down slightly from previous years—not because commerce is weakening, but because the company is expanding into new verticals.
The team has begun rolling out new initiatives in education, consulting, real estate development, and food & beverage. Platforms like RIZZ Academy (their online course platform) and in-house private brands are diversifying their revenue streams. And the company expects these new programs to contribute additional revenues in the second half of the year.
“With the upcoming launch of our online learning platform ‘RIZZ Academy’ and our in-house private brand (PB), we plan to not only diversify revenue streams but also enhance the stability and scalability of our entire business structure.”
A spokesperson from GLOW UP RIZZ.
GLOW UP RIZZ: A Growing Playbook for Creator-Based Startups in Korea
While GLOW UP RIZZ is a notable example, it is far from an isolated case. Across Korea, startups rooted in creator-led content are moving beyond traditional influencer, ad-based income in the multi-channel network (MCN) toward multi-channel business models (MCBs).
These models integrate commerce (e.g., direct-to-consumer platforms), paid education, brand licensing, and product merchandising—building on more stable and scalable structures.
For instance, Korean multi-channel network companies like Sandbox Network now support hundreds of creators, highlighting industry-level investment in creator infrastructure. Meanwhile, companies like Glow.B are also pioneering AI-driven SaaS and fintech-linked platforms, enabling creators to monetize through automated ad portfolio tools and financial products embedded within their content business model.
Promising Sector, But Structural Risks Persist
On the other hand, it doesn’t mean that this promising structure does not come with risks. After all, the main asset of these creator-based ventures still depend on the individuals. This then raises concerns over scalability, ownership of IP, and operational resilience—especially in logistics and compliance.
However, startups like GLOW UP RIZZ, which have reported ₩9 billion KRW (~USD 6.5m) in H1 2025 and are diversifying into education, consulting, real estate, and F&B, signal emerging maturity in the sector.
As Korea’s digital economy continues to evolve, the transformation of creator influence into structured, multi-vertical business models marks a turning point—not hype, but the beginning of ecosystem normalization.
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