KT&G held the award ceremony for the 2025 “SangSang Madang Korea Cosmetics Challenge” on May 13 at KT&G SangSang Planet, a dedicated space for youth entrepreneurship in Seongsu-dong, Seoul.

Now in its fifth year, the Koco Challenge is KT&G’s annual competition for eco-friendly cosmetics startup ideas. Launched in 2021, the contest aims to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in the beauty sector.

This year’s challenge, held under the theme of “Time,” attracted 287 teams nationwide, marking the highest-ever competition rate at 96 to 1. Eighteen finalist teams were also invited to a mentoring camp where they received guidance to enhance their business capabilities.

Following the final evaluation, two teams were selected in the Beginner category for aspiring entrepreneurs, and one team was chosen in the Challenger category for small businesses within five years of establishment. In the Beginner category, Team ZENOBIO was selected for a skin-regenerating and anti-inflammatory cream using mushroom extract, and Team KINDAGLOW for a 4-in-1 Jeju citrus cleansing product that combines cleansing, masking, exfoliating, and moisturizing. In the Challenger category, Unsure Group was selected for its mineral-rich carbonated toner containing Jeju lava seawater.

The winning teams will receive support for collaborative product development and launch opportunities through a partnership with Cosmocos, a company specializing in cosmetics.

KT&G Cultural Contribution Lead Kim Kang-min stated, “Through the Korea Cosmetics Challenge, we’ve assisted the growth of startups with potential in the beauty industry by offering tangible support. We will continue backing entrepreneurs so their innovative ideas can come to life.”

KT&G SangSang Madang celebrates its 20th anniversary this year as the platform operates a variety of cultural programs to support the creative ventures of upcoming artists. Since its beginnings as an online community in 2005, KT&G SangSang Madang has expanded to operate five offline cultural hubs in Hongdae, Nonsan, Chuncheon, Daechi, and Busan, contributing to the development of local arts and culture as well as the broadening of artistic and cultural engagement. Notable efforts include discovering and supporting new up-and-coming artists. KT&G SangSang Madang attracts around 3.1 million visitors annually and hosts over 3,000 artistic and cultural programs every year.