MAKERVILLE Sets Sights on Five Global Top Brands with Innovative Products
Interview with MAKERVILLE CEO Byungjun Jung
"We develop brands and products based on Korean technology, and work to grow and communicate their value. We currently operate brands across categories closely connected to everyday life, including living, pet, and food products. Our goal is to build five global brands with truly distinctive products unlike anything that has come before."
These are the words of Byungjun Jung, CEO of MAKERVILLE.
Positioning itself as a brand developer, MAKERVILLE oversees the entire brand-building process, from planning and development to manufacturing, marketing, distribution, and after-sales service.
Since its establishment in 2019, the company has recorded annual revenue growth of more than 100%. We met with CEO Jung at MAKERVILLE's headquarters in Gasan Digital Complex, Seoul, on the 20th to discuss the company's beginnings, growth, and future ambitions.
What inspired you to start the company?
I have always been more inclined to lead than to follow. I studied Materials Science and Engineering at university, but rather than becoming an engineer specializing in a single field, I wanted to experience a broader world.
That led me to Samsung C&T, where I learned about international trade. I later joined my father's company, which operates in the materials and chemical industries.
There, I discovered that the competitiveness and potential of Korea's small and medium-sized manufacturers were far greater than I had expected.
At the same time, I felt that the industry remained relatively closed, relying heavily on face-to-face meetings for collaboration. I founded MAKERVILLE with the idea of building an online, data-driven network connecting small and medium-sized manufacturers.
However, after recognizing the limitations of that business model, we pivoted in the middle of last year to become what we now define as a brand developer.
How are the business and revenue performing?
We focus on creating brands with both functional differentiation and emotional appeal, offering products that bring something genuinely new to the market.
Our key brands currently under development and operation include VAKUEN, a vacuum food-storage container brand; FRECOOK, a time-saving kitchenware brand; ORANGEPO, a kinetic pet furniture brand developed with a woodworking YouTuber with 630,000 subscribers; and THE BUFF, a functional sparkling beverage brand.
Exports are expected to account for approximately 8–10% of this year's projected revenue of around KRW 13 billion.
Based on a 20% contribution margin and our current pace of doubling revenue each year, our goal is to reach KRW 200 billion in annual revenue within the next five years.
What is your online and offline distribution strategy?
MAKERVILLE aims to create globally leading brands by introducing distinctive products within niche categories. Our strategy is built around both online and offline global markets.
We first establish brand recognition and a stable revenue base in Korea, then expand into North America through platforms such as Amazon.
We are also working on projects to supply our brands directly to global offline retailers.
For VAKUEN, cumulative deliveries have already exceeded 220,000 orders. The brand will soon begin offline distribution simultaneously in Korea through Shinsegae Department Store and VAKUEN 176, and in the United States through a test order with TJX Companies.
What is your philosophy on management and organizational culture?
Transparency and growth.
I believe we should be transparent both internally and externally about what we do well and what we do not.
Internally, we place particular emphasis on making collaboration and project progress visible and transparent across the organization.
This company is not something I operate alone. The company can only grow when its people grow together.
We are working to build a culture where people can speak openly about what needs to be said and where everyone supports one another's individual growth.
What are MAKERVILLE's future plans?
MAKERVILLE is a brand developer. But I believe something even more important than developing new brands is turning our existing customers into true fans and treating them with respect.
This is not only important for our customers; it must also become a core value for the company's long-term survival and management.
We want to communicate the distinctive worlds and technological strengths behind brands such as VAKUEN, FRECOOK, ORANGEPO, and THE BUFF, while continuing to create products and brands that operate on an entirely different level.
Ultimately, we want to focus on building meaningful connections between our brands and our customers' everyday lives, creating experiences that inspire and resonate with both sides.
