Review of the 2026 LIPS Achievement Sharing Session 'Alumni'
- 🎤 Event Review
🌐 Click the globe icon at the top right to easily switch between different languages.
LIPS, Local & Lifestyle biz Incubator Program for Strong enterpris
A support program aimed at fostering promising small business owners into entrepreneurial small business owners (Lycons) by having the government match funds when private investors make initial investments.
Turning results into a brand, and investment into a driver of growth
On June 2nd, The Invention Lab attended the **"2026 LIPS Performance Sharing Session"** held at Community House Masil in Myeongdong, Seoul.
This event, themed "Future × Network × Impact," was organized to review the achievements of the LIPS program in 2025 and to explore the growth directions of small business owners and lifestyle companies for 2026 and beyond.
In particular, this event was not merely a performance presentation, but was organized around networking, business matching, investment linkages, and the sharing of brand growth case studies, creating a venue where participating companies, operators, and investment institutions all created tangible opportunities.
LIPS Growth in Numbers
Over the past several years, the LIPS program has supported the growth of innovative small businesses and startups in the lifestyle sector, producing meaningful results.
•
Cumulative investment raised of over 124 billion KRW
•
Cumulative sales of participating companies exceeding 380 billion KRW
•
152 cumulative graduate companies
•
2,480 new jobs created
•
38 companies expanding overseas
•
420 registered patents
•
Over 60 networking partners
These figures demonstrate that this is not merely the result of support programs, but that actual cases are accumulating where small business owners build brands, grow in the market, and even secure investment.
Four programs that connect growth
This performance sharing session was operated with four main programs.
Talk Concert
This is a time to share the real experiences and success stories of companies that have grown through LIPS.
Stories that can only be heard in the field, such as the investment attraction process, sales growth strategies, experiences in market expansion, and failures and trial and error, were shared, providing practical insights to the participating companies.
Business Matching Consultation Zone
Based on a preliminary demand survey, participating companies, VCs, investors, distributors, and MDs conducted intensive consultations through 1:1 matching.
It operates as a venue for actual business cooperation and investment review, rather than a simple exchange of business cards, and has established itself as one of the core programs of the event.
Product display showcase
An exhibition space has also been prepared where visitors can directly experience the products and services of participating companies.
Various companies, ranging from lifestyle brands to F&B and consumer goods firms, participated to introduce their products, raise brand awareness, and create touchpoints with potential customers and partners.
Open Networking Lounge
Natural exchanges took place among participating companies, operators, investment institutions, and distribution partners in the freely operated networking spaces throughout the event.
I think it was the space that best showcased Network , the core keyword of this event .
The unique specialness of LIPS felt on-site
As the dedicated manager for The Invention Lab's LIPS, I have attended various investment and startup events, but this LIPS performance sharing session was definitely different, starting with the atmosphere.
Above all, the expressions and energy of the attendees were impressive.
Many of the companies participating in LIPS operate businesses that interact directly with customers, such as those in the lifestyle, consumer goods, and F&B sectors. Naturally, many of the CEOs were accustomed to customer service and communication, and bright smiles and active conversations filled the venue.
Thanks to this, it was impressive to see networking and business matching taking place amidst natural exchanges rather than stiff consultations.
The sense of immersion created by the space
Community House Masil, the venue for the event , was also an important element in creating the atmosphere of the event.
The entire space from the underground parking lot to the 1st and 2nd floors was utilized exclusively for the event, operating as a space solely for LIPS participants without interference from external visitors or other tenants.
Participants were able to fully focus on the event, and movement and networking between programs flowed naturally.
The presenters who completed the event
Another impressive aspect of this event was the hosting capabilities of the announcers and MCs.
In particular, it was very impressive to see him listen attentively to the panelists during the talk concert, which lasted for over two hours, and summarize and deliver the key messages.
Thanks to this, the audience was able to more easily understand each panelist's experiences and insights, and maintain a high level of immersion for an extended period.
LIPS created in unseen places
What I realized once again through the event is that LIPS is not just a simple support program.
I was able to experience firsthand just how much time and effort various stakeholders, including the Korea Small Business Corporation and the Early Stage Investment Accelerator Association, are investing in running the program.
It was an occasion to see that many people are working together to connect and support each and every participating company so that they can grow.
The Invention Lab and LIPS
The Invention Lab was selected as an excellent operator by selecting a total of 22 companies through the 2025 LIPS program.
In 2026, we selected 7 companies (100%) through the first and second rounds of recommendations, and we plan to continue actively supporting excellent small business owners in the lifestyle sector to discover and nurture them so that they can grow into LICON companies.
We support the growth of participating companies by utilizing the diverse networks held by The Invention Lab, including investment, incubation, open innovation, and connections for global expansion.
The True Value of LIPS, Small Business Network
The biggest takeaway from this event was the value of networking among small business owners.
Although small business owners offer different products and services, they ultimately operate their businesses targeting similar customers.
For example, if a company that manufactures sauces meets a company that sells food using those sauces, the relationship can go beyond simple trading and lead to joint product development, joint marketing, and expansion of sales channels.
In fact, at this event, we were able to see companies from various fields introducing their businesses and discussing potential collaborations.
I believe LIPS holds even greater significance as it is not just a simple support program, but a network where small business owners can connect with one another and grow together .
The future of LIPS, and 2026
If 2025 was the year to verify the performance of LIPS participating companies, 2026 will be a time to further expand those performances.
In the process of growing brands, connecting investments with markets, and expanding into the global market, LIPS is expected to continue to be an important platform supporting the growth of innovative small business owners in the lifestyle sector.
The Invention Lab will also continue to stand by promising small business owners and startups to help them leap into larger markets through investment, incubation, open innovation, and support for global expansion.
Turning results into a brand and investment into a driver of growth.
And through this LIPS performance sharing session, we were able to confirm once again that the most important force enabling that growth is ultimately the network connecting people .
Subscribe to 'The Invention Lab Blog'
If you subscribe to the site, you can be the first to receive the latest updates, including new posts, via notifications and email.
Join Slashpage and subscribe to 'The Invention Lab Blog'!
Join Slashpage and subscribe to 'The Invention Lab Blog'!
Subscribe
