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Uni Seoul develops and distributes a diverse array of Korean-inspired lifestyle products, establishing itself as a prominent omnichannel brand. The company curates a selection of aesthetic and practical daily essentials, encompassing items from charming decor to personal accessories, all reflecting a distinct Korean cultural sensibility. Its operational model leverages both online platforms and physical retail locations to reach a broad consumer base.
The company was launched in 2023 by co-founders Gaurav Karmani and Mohit Khurana. Their venture stemmed from a shared enthusiasm for Korean aesthetics and a vision to make these unique lifestyle elements accessible and affordable to a wider audience. Headquartered in Pune, India, the founders identified a market opportunity for a brand that authentically captures the essence of contemporary Korean design and culture.
Uni Seoul primarily serves consumers who appreciate and actively seek out Korean aesthetic products. With a growing presence across various Indian cities, the brand is cultivating a dedicated community around its offerings. The company's overarching vision is to foster "cuteness as a culture," aspiring to be a leading purveyor of accessible Korean lifestyle experiences and products for a global audience.
Uni Seoul has raised $590K across 1 funding round.
Uni Seoul has raised $590K in total across 1 funding round.
Uni Seoul has raised $590K across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $590K Seed in April 2025.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 1, 2025 | $590K Seed | — | 100X.VC, GSF Accelerator | Announced |
# Uni Seoul: A Lifestyle Retail Brand, Not a Technology Company
Uni Seoul is not a technology company—it is a Korean-inspired lifestyle retail brand that sells affordable home goods, stationery, beauty products, and fashion accessories through physical stores and an online platform.[1][2] While the company uses technology operationally (analytics, heat mapping, and planned automated checkout systems), its core business is curated product retail, not technology development or services.
Uni Seoul is an affordable lifestyle retail brand that brings Korean aesthetics and design sensibilities to everyday consumer products.[1][2] Founded in 2023 by Gaurav Karmani and Mohit Khurana, the brand addresses a market gap by offering stylish, functional items at accessible price points—with products starting at Rs. 99 and most under Rs. 999.[1]
The company serves price-conscious consumers seeking aesthetically pleasing home and lifestyle products without premium markups. Its mission centers on elevating everyday routines through beautifully designed items that blend Korean "cuteness culture" with practical functionality.[1][4] In its first year (FY 2023-24), Uni Seoul generated Rs. 5 crore in revenue across physical stores and online channels while maintaining 25% store-level EBITDA and achieving company-level profitability—all while bootstrapped.[1]
Gaurav Karmani and Mohit Khurana launched Uni Seoul in 2023, inspired by Seoul's dynamic creative culture.[1][2] The founders envisioned bringing Korean lifestyle aesthetics to Indian consumers at mass-market prices, breaking the association between Korean design and luxury pricing.[2]
The brand achieved rapid early traction: their first flagship store at Phoenix Marketcity in Pune recorded Rs. 1.5 lakh in opening day sales in April 2023.[3] By July 2023, they opened a second flagship store in Nashik and maintained a monthly average revenue (AMR) of Rs. 15 lakh from inception.[3] Their online store, launched in October 2023, captured 27% of total revenue without any marketing campaigns while serving over 35,000 customers in the first year.[1]
Uni Seoul capitalizes on the growing "cuteness culture" and Korean aesthetic trend in India, riding the wave of Korean pop culture influence and Gen Z's appetite for affordable, design-forward products.[4] The brand fills a specific market gap: consumers seeking Korean-inspired lifestyle products at mass-market prices, rather than luxury imports.
The company's success reflects broader shifts in Indian retail toward experiential, design-conscious shopping and the viability of bootstrapped, profitable growth in lifestyle retail. By combining physical and digital channels with strong unit economics, Uni Seoul demonstrates that profitability and rapid expansion are not mutually exclusive in modern retail.
Uni Seoul is positioned for significant scaling. The company plans to expand from 9 stores across 6 cities to 500 stores across India within five years, with a revenue target of Rs. 300 crore.[1][4] Their mixed expansion model—combining company-operated (COCO) and franchisee-invested, company-operated (FICO) stores—alongside partnerships with retail infrastructure providers like LiteStore will accelerate this growth.[4]
The brand's trajectory will depend on maintaining operational excellence as it scales, introducing technology-led solutions (automated checkout, advanced analytics) at scale, and sustaining the Korean aesthetic appeal as competition intensifies.[4] If successful, Uni Seoul could establish a blueprint for how Indian retailers can build profitable, design-driven lifestyle brands without venture capital dependency—a notable counterpoint to the typical startup funding narrative.
Uni Seoul has raised $590K in total across 1 funding round.
Uni Seoul's investors include 100X.VC, GSF Accelerator.
