Zackdang Company, the visionary force behind the Zamface mobile application, is revolutionizing the K-beauty landscape with its AI-powered personalized beauty solutions. Founded in 2018 and deeply connected to the Google for Startups ecosystem, Zackdang is on a path to global expansion, empowering users worldwide to discover their perfect beauty match.

From hair retailer to AI beauty pioneer

Founded by Yun Jung-ha, formerly Head of Kakao Hairshop, Zackdang quickly identified a growing need for personalized beauty advice in the digital age. Launched in 2019, Zamface leverages artificial intelligence to deliver tailored beauty solutions directly to users' smartphones. The app's core features, including sophisticated face matching technology, accurate personal color analysis, and thoughtfully curated beauty content, empower users to discover makeup products and tutorials that perfectly complement their individual features.

A home at Google for Startups Campus Seoul

Zackdang's journey has been deeply intertwined with the Google for Startups ecosystem, particularly through their engagement with the Campus Seoul. As one of our resident startups in 2019, Zackdang gained foundational support within the vibrant community hub. Their growth trajectory continued with participation in the Growth Academy in 2020, where they benefited from mentorship and resources aimed at scaling their business.

The Google for Startups Campus Seoul became a central point for Zackdang, providing not only a space for connection and collaboration but also access to invaluable local networks. Their dedication and innovation culminated in being recognized as a Top 3 startup in the 2023 ChangGoo program, a testament to their impact within the Korean startup scene.

Global ambitions, Google-fuelled

As CEO Yun Jung-ha mentioned at a Google ChangGoo media roundtable, "We applied for the program because we thought it would be very helpful for us to expand overseas. It's not easy for small startups to expand overseas, but with Google's help, we expect to achieve significant results." This highlights the strategic importance of the Google for Startups Campus Seoul and its programs in facilitating Zackdang's ambitions for global outreach.

AI-powered personalization that resonates

Zamface's integration of advanced AI and augmented reality technologies is central to its user experience. The face matching feature analyzes user selfies to recommend beauty creators with similar facial structures, fostering a sense of connection and relevance. The personal color analysis, powered by AR, accurately determines users' skin tones, leading to more informed makeup product choices. Additionally, the innovative Time Jump feature utilizes AI to identify specific segments within beauty videos, allowing users to navigate directly to the content they find most relevant, such as a particular eye makeup application technique.

This AI-driven personalization has resonated strongly with its target demographic, amassing over 1.8 million members by early 2022, with a remarkable 94% being female users born between 1996 and 2010.

Southeast Asia and beyond

Looking ahead, Zackdang has set its sights on global expansion, with initial plans focused on the promising Southeast Asian markets of Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand. The company's innovative fusion of AI with the beauty industry has garnered significant recognition, including over 11 billion KRW (approximately $9.4 million USD) in funding and prestigious awards like the Grand Prize in the Women's Entrepreneurship Contest.

Zackdang's journey, deeply connected with the Google for Startups Campus Seoul, exemplifies how access to resources, mentorship, and a supportive community can propel a local startup with a strong vision onto a path of significant growth and global potential. They are not just building a beauty app; they are building a global community empowered by AI.