Star Asset Co., Ltd. (CEO Lee Hee-sung), a specialized F&B accelerator, successfully concluded the “2025 Star Batch Program (K-Food Star Season 2) IR Demo Day” on October 28 at the Seoul Startup Hub Gongdeok.

The event was organized to evaluate the business visions and investment readiness of high-potential companies in the food & beverage (F&B) and beauty sectors.

Star Asset is an accelerator specializing in advancing restaurant franchises and food companies, as well as connecting them with investment opportunities. Beyond early-stage investment, the firm provides comprehensive support including market expansion, brand development, and global business entry.

Building on the success of its first cohort last year, the second program featured a more structured curriculum and mentoring system. Selected companies underwent hands-on training and were given the opportunity to present directly to investors at the demo day.

A total of nine companies participated in the IR pitching session, including: Maison Damgeum Co., Ltd. (Damgeum), Eolmaekdang Co., Ltd. (Eolmaekdang), Tiger on the Roof Co., Ltd. (Yasugak), Incusys Co., Ltd. (Dreaming Meat), Yeoljeong Co., Ltd. (Bbok Restaurant, Casa de Taco), LPGO Wellness Co., Ltd. (LPGO), Pizza Neuban, Aging Tech Research Institute (NeuroMilk Bio), and Tableworks Co., Ltd. (Dotdigger).

The event was attended by Star Asset investment managers, F&B industry professionals, venture capitalists, and aspiring entrepreneurs, who shared insights on each company’s business strategy and growth roadmap.

Outstanding teams selected from the demo day presentations will receive direct investment from Star Asset, along with opportunities for global market expansion, cross-industry collaboration, and follow-on funding.

Given that securing distribution channels is a critical factor in the F&B industry after product commercialization, Star Asset’s industry network and distribution capabilities are expected to serve as a strong foundation for participating companies’ growth.

CEO Lee Hee-sung stated, “This demo day showcased the future direction of innovation in Korea’s F&B and beauty industries. We hope that the unique brand values of participating companies will connect with investors and translate into tangible growth in both domestic and global markets.” He added, “Star Asset will continue to strengthen partnerships with promising startups and contribute to building a sustainable industry ecosystem.”

Despite a recent shift toward more conservative investment trends in the startup market, the food, beverage, and lifestyle sectors are still regarded as areas with high growth potential.

Industry experts noted, “Rather than large-scale technology investments, F&B companies offering consumer-centric innovative products are once again attracting investor interest. The role of specialized accelerators like Star Asset is becoming increasingly important.”

The “Star Batch Season 2 IR Demo Day” was not just an IR event, but is being recognized as a platform for building an ecosystem that supports sustainable growth and brand innovation in the F&B industry.

Looking ahead, Star Asset is preparing to expand its program into a comprehensive platform that connects investment, distribution, and branding, supporting companies aiming to enter both domestic and global markets through its upcoming third cohort.