■ Diversifies Business Portfolio Beyond K-POP into eSorts and Musical Theatre
■ Secures Series B Investment of 18.7 Billion Won (approximately 14 million USD) from Seven Institutions
■ Expands Enterprise Partnerships and Global Fandom Business
SEOUL, Korea - Thursday, January 16, 2025 - Fandom business solution 'b.stage' has recorded more than triple year-on-year growth. The company plans to rapidly expand its global fandom business ecosystem with the goal of achieving triple year-on-year growth for two consecutive years.
Since its global service launch in 2022, b.stage has been expanding fandom business across various industries including e-sports, musical theatre, and content beyond K-POP, under the mission 'Everyone is a fan of something.' Currently, more than 220 clients globally, including those in Korea, the United States, and Japan, are using b.stage to manage their worldwide fandoms and strengthen fan communication.
In 2024, b.stage's total transaction volume grew by over three times compared to the previous year. This significant growth can be attributed to its diversified business portfolio, including digital products such as paid fanclub and subscription feature 'Membership,' real-time two-way communication feature 'POP (Live-Chat-1:1TALK),' paid emoticon 'Sticker' service, as well as IP-based merchandising, pop-up stores, and character business expansion.
Notably, throughout the past year, b.stage has established itself as the unique B2B solution provider in the global fandom business market, chosen by entertainment companies and corporations with multiple IPs, such as CJ ENM's K-POP platform and actor communication platform to build their own fandom platforms similar to Weverse. Through this, b.stage has proven its market competitiveness with a business model that grants 100% ownership to IP holders, unlike its competitors in the fandom platform market.
Additionally, b.stage secured a Series B investment of 18.7 billion won(approximately 14 million USD) from seven institutions including Smilegate Investment, KB Investment, and Mainstreet Ventures last December. The participating institutions, all with extensive experience in investing in global business models, highly valued b.stage's global market expansibility and customer expansion capabilities as an enterprise solution. b.stage plans to utilize the investment to support the growth of client IPs and build a global fandom business ecosystem.
This year, b.stage aims to emerge as a B2B enterprise partner specialized in the global fandom business market. The company plans to expand its overseas transaction volume to over 10% by creating more touchpoints with global artists and fandoms. Furthermore, it will actively expand the global fandom business ecosystem by supporting fandom business operators with various features and collaborations to scale their operations.
"Thanks to numerous global clients and fandoms, b.stage has grown significantly over the past year," said Steve Seo, Co-CEO of bemyfriends. "This year, as a global 'Fan-Tech' company, b.stage will strive to provide fandom experiences that satisfy both clients and fans. We will continue to position ourselves as the central solution for global fandom business, creating new possibilities centered on fandom value."
■ Secures Series B Investment of 18.7 Billion Won (approximately 14 million USD) from Seven Institutions
■ Expands Enterprise Partnerships and Global Fandom Business
SEOUL, Korea - Thursday, January 16, 2025 - Fandom business solution 'b.stage' has recorded more than triple year-on-year growth. The company plans to rapidly expand its global fandom business ecosystem with the goal of achieving triple year-on-year growth for two consecutive years.
Since its global service launch in 2022, b.stage has been expanding fandom business across various industries including e-sports, musical theatre, and content beyond K-POP, under the mission 'Everyone is a fan of something.' Currently, more than 220 clients globally, including those in Korea, the United States, and Japan, are using b.stage to manage their worldwide fandoms and strengthen fan communication.
In 2024, b.stage's total transaction volume grew by over three times compared to the previous year. This significant growth can be attributed to its diversified business portfolio, including digital products such as paid fanclub and subscription feature 'Membership,' real-time two-way communication feature 'POP (Live-Chat-1:1TALK),' paid emoticon 'Sticker' service, as well as IP-based merchandising, pop-up stores, and character business expansion.
Notably, throughout the past year, b.stage has established itself as the unique B2B solution provider in the global fandom business market, chosen by entertainment companies and corporations with multiple IPs, such as CJ ENM's K-POP platform and actor communication platform to build their own fandom platforms similar to Weverse. Through this, b.stage has proven its market competitiveness with a business model that grants 100% ownership to IP holders, unlike its competitors in the fandom platform market.
Additionally, b.stage secured a Series B investment of 18.7 billion won(approximately 14 million USD) from seven institutions including Smilegate Investment, KB Investment, and Mainstreet Ventures last December. The participating institutions, all with extensive experience in investing in global business models, highly valued b.stage's global market expansibility and customer expansion capabilities as an enterprise solution. b.stage plans to utilize the investment to support the growth of client IPs and build a global fandom business ecosystem.
This year, b.stage aims to emerge as a B2B enterprise partner specialized in the global fandom business market. The company plans to expand its overseas transaction volume to over 10% by creating more touchpoints with global artists and fandoms. Furthermore, it will actively expand the global fandom business ecosystem by supporting fandom business operators with various features and collaborations to scale their operations.
"Thanks to numerous global clients and fandoms, b.stage has grown significantly over the past year," said Steve Seo, Co-CEO of bemyfriends. "This year, as a global 'Fan-Tech' company, b.stage will strive to provide fandom experiences that satisfy both clients and fans. We will continue to position ourselves as the central solution for global fandom business, creating new possibilities centered on fandom value."
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