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Yepoda has raised $2.0M across 1 funding round.
Key people at Yepoda.
Yepoda has raised $2.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Yepoda develops and markets a line of Korean skincare products, emphasizing accessibility and high-quality formulations for the European market. Their offerings include a range of cleansers, serums, and moisturizers featuring natural ingredients such as cica, jojoba, and camellia oil, alongside innovative components like plant-based PDRN and kimchi-derived exosomes. The brand focuses on refining skin texture, evening tone, and enhancing overall skin health, adhering to cruelty-free and eco-conscious principles in its product development.
The company was founded in 2020 by Veronika Strotmann and Sander Joonyoung van Bladel. Sander, who is of Korean and Dutch heritage, frequently observed a demand for authentic Korean skincare from acquaintances in Europe after his trips to Korea. This insight revealed a clear market gap for accessible K-Beauty products, inspiring the duo to create Yepoda with the goal of bringing the efficacy of Korean skincare to a broader European audience.
Yepoda's products cater to individuals seeking effective Korean beauty solutions that are easily available in Europe. The company's long-term vision is to establish itself as a leader in clean K-Beauty, ensuring that consumers can access high-quality, sustainable Korean skincare without compromise. They aim to continue expanding their reach while upholding their commitment to natural ingredients and ethical practices, empowering users to achieve healthy, radiant skin.
Yepoda has raised $2.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Yepoda's investors include 9Yards Capital, L Catterton Growth, Team8, V3 Ventures, Vertex Ventures Israel, XT Hi-Tech, David Giampaolo, Georgina Smallwood, Philippe Teixeira da Mota, Ron Zuckerman.
Yepoda is a Berlin-based skincare startup founded in 2020 that specializes in K-beauty products made in Korea, emphasizing natural, effective, vegan, and cruelty-free ingredients like cleansers, serums, creams, and masks.[1][2][3] It serves environmentally conscious consumers seeking sustainable skincare routines that prioritize skin health without harmful chemicals such as parabens, silicones, or microplastics, solving accessibility issues for high-quality K-beauty in Europe and beyond.[1][3][4] Now at Series B funding stage with investors including JamJar Investments and Verlinvest, Yepoda has expanded to a US presence and earned B Corp certification, donating 1% of sales to environmental causes while building momentum through sold-out bestsellers and positive customer reviews.[1][4][5]
Yepoda was co-founded in 2020 by Sander Joonyoung and Veronika in Berlin, Germany, after they noticed strong demand for K-beauty products among European friends during visits to Sander's family in Korea.[3] The idea emerged from the challenge of sourcing authentic, effective Korean skincare—known for its innovative routines—and making it accessible without compromising on quality, sustainability, or clean beauty standards.[2][3] Early traction came from launching in spring 2020 with mindfully produced, vegan products crafted by Korean experts, quickly gaining a foothold in e-commerce and beauty markets, as evidenced by inclusion in CB Insights' E-Commerce and Beauty & Personal Care expert collections.[1][2]
Yepoda rides the explosive growth of clean beauty and K-beauty trends, fueled by consumer shifts toward natural, sustainable products amid rising e-commerce (included in CB Insights' 11,250-company E-Commerce collection).[1] Timing aligns with post-2020 demand for vegan/cruelty-free skincare in Europe and the US, where K-beauty's multi-step efficacy meets sustainability mandates—exemplified by their B Corp status and environmental donations.[3][4] Market forces like premiumization in the $2,255-company Beauty & Personal Care space favor them, as they bridge Asian innovation with Western values, influencing the ecosystem by normalizing ethical DTC brands and expanding K-beauty accessibility beyond niche markets.[1]
Yepoda is poised for accelerated US and global expansion post-Series B, leveraging its US office and e-commerce strength to capture more of the clean K-beauty wave amid trends like personalization and biotech ingredients.[1][5] Regulatory pushes for sustainability and AI-driven skincare customization will shape their path, potentially amplifying influence through partnerships or product tech integrations. As a profitability-focused scaler in a crowded beauty field, their commitment to "Korean effectiveness meets sustainable solutions" positions them to redefine accessible premium skincare for eco-aware millennials and Gen Z.[2][3]
Key people at Yepoda.
Yepoda has raised $2.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $2.0M Seed in November 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 1, 2021 | $2M Seed | — | 9Yards Capital, L Catterton, Team8, V3 Ventures, Vertex Ventures Israel, XT HI Tech, David Giampaolo, Georgina Smallwood, Philippe Teixeira DA Mota, RON Zuckerman | Announced |
