# Memebox Corp (YC W14)

> Memebox Corp (operating as MBX) is a global multi-brand K-beauty and personal care company founded in Seoul in 2012 by Hyungseok 'Dino' Ha. Now headquartered in Los Angeles, it builds and scales its own portfolio of Korean-made beauty brands - I Dew Care, Kaja, Pony Effect, I'm Meme and nooni - using data-driven product development and partnerships with retailers like Sephora, Ulta and Amazon. It was the first Korean company accepted into Y Combinator (W14) and has raised over $200M in venture funding.

- **Founded:** 2012
- **Headquarters:** Los Angeles, United States
- **Founders:** Hyungseok 'Dino' Ha (Co-founder & CEO)
- **Team size:** ~230 employees
- **Products:** I Dew Care, Kaja, Pony Effect, I'm Meme, nooni
- **Notable:** First Korean company accepted into Y Combinator (Winter 2014)., Raised over $200M in total venture funding., Secured $35M strategic investment from Johnson & Johnson in 2019.

## Products & services

- **I Dew Care** — Playful, self-care-focused skincare brand known for viral wash-off and shower masks; sold at Ulta and online.
- **Kaja** — Next-generation K-beauty color cosmetics line co-developed exclusively with Sephora.
- **Pony Effect** — Premium color cosmetics brand created with Korean makeup artist and influencer Pony.
- **I'm Meme** — Accessible, trend-forward makeup brand.
- **nooni** — Skincare and haircare brand; sold at Ulta and online.

## Achievements

- First Korean company accepted into Y Combinator (Winter 2014).
- Raised over $200M in total venture funding.
- Secured $35M strategic investment from Johnson & Johnson in 2019.
- Co-created the Kaja brand exclusively with Sephora.
- Grew US to roughly 65% of total revenue.
- Built a portfolio of five distinct global beauty brands.

## Latest updates

- **2026-03** — Raised $10M growth round from ASQ Fund to deepen US operations and scale brand marketing; ~65% of revenue now from the US.
- **2019-01** — Closed $35M Series D led by Johnson & Johnson Innovation (JJDC), bringing total financing to ~$190M.
- **2018-09** — Launched Kaja color cosmetics exclusively with Sephora and relaunched US e-commerce platform.

## Links

- Website: https://us.memebox.com/
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/memebox-corp
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/memebox
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/idewcare
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/memeboxglobal
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@idewcare

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/memebox-corp-yc-w14
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-07-30