Image = Kick the Huddle
Healthcare bio startup Kick the Huddle (CEO Kim Tae-yang) announced on the 28th that all three of its representative products entered the top 10 in the food category at the Q10 Megawari event in the fourth quarter, targeting the Japanese health functional food market.
Kick the Hurdle launched the health functional food brand Phytotics in the domestic market in 2019 and entered the global market starting in 2021. The company explains that to date, the performance of the Phytotics brand in the global market has grown more than threefold every year, and the diversification of export items and the countries into which it operates are also gradually expanding.
The representative products that landed in the top 10 at this event were ‘Phytotics Yellow’, a lactic acid bacteria derived from the female vagina, and ‘Paxi Diet FCCE Fermented Yulphy’, which can help reduce body fat with individually recognized patented ingredients, and manages intestinal health and body fat reduction at the same time. ‘Phytotics Red’, a lactic acid bacteria that can help you lose weight, is the flagship product of the Phytotics brand and is a steady-selling product sold in Olive Young stores nationwide.
According to the company, in order to increase awareness of the Phytotics brand in the global market, Kick the Hurdle creates a friendly image through various contents to carry out localized marketing tailored to the sentiment of each country and uses its own designed character IP to create a brand world view. is building.
Kick the Hurdle’s global focus strategy worked successfully, and in 2023, it won the Qoo10 AWARDS based on excellent sales performance at Qoo10 Japan, a Japanese e-commerce platform, and participated in the ‘K-Collection with KCON JAPAN 2024’ at KCON JAPAN 2024. Participated and recorded the maximum number of booth visitors.
Image = Kick the Huddle
In addition, the company reported that it was selected as a top health functional food brand on Shopee, a global e-commerce platform, in Taiwan, the Greater China region, and Southeast Asia, and was interviewed as a representative seller.
At this Q10 Megawari event, not only Kick the Hurdle’s representative health functional food brand, Phytotics, but also ‘Cell In Shot’, a functional cosmetics brand newly launched in the second half of this year, entered the Japanese market. With the concept of ‘expert skin care that you can easily encounter in your daily life’, CellinShot’s representative products are essence types that impregnate various active ingredients into the microneedles contained in the product and deliver them below the dermal layer of the skin. Depending on the ingredients, they include Botu Shot and TX Gluta. We are introducing a variety of microneedle products such as shot and unmarked stem shot.
A company official said, “Our goal is to use the know-how gained through health functional foods to expand our reach into the K-beauty market and begin offline distribution in Japan in the first half of next year.”
Reporter Hwang Ji-hye
[ⓒ 세계비즈앤스포츠월드 & segyebiz.com, 무단전재 및 재배포 금지]
## Kick the Huddle’s CEO on Conquering Japan’s Health Food Market
**World-Today-News Exclusive Interview**
Kick the Huddle, a healthcare bio startup focused on developing innovative health functional foods, recently announced a important milestone in its global expansion. All three of their flagship phytotics products secured top 10 placements in the food category at the prestigious Q10 Megawari event in Japan during the fourth quarter.
World-Today-News sat down with CEO kim Tae-yang to discuss this achievement and the company’s strategy for dominating the lucrative Japanese health food market.
**WTN**: Congratulations on this impressive achievement, Mr. Kim. What does this recognition at Q10 Megawari signify for Kick the Huddle?
**Kim Tae-yang**: Thank you. This recognition is incredibly validating for our team and confirms that our Phytotics brand resonates strongly with Japanese consumers. It’s a testament to the quality and efficacy of our products, and it positions us well for continued growth in this vital market.
**WTN**: You mentioned the Phytotics brand has seen impressive growth globally since its launch. Can you elaborate on that success?
**Kim Tae-yang**: Definitely. Since launching Phytotics domestically in 2019 and expanding internationally in 2021, we’ve witnessed remarkable growth, exceeding threefold every year. We’ve broadened our product portfolio and diversified our export markets substantially.Japan,with its strong interest in health and wellness,became a key focus for us.
**WTN**: What specific factors do you attribute to Kick the Huddle’s success in the Japanese market?
**Kim Tae-yang**: Several factors have contributed. Firstly,Japanese consumers are highly discerning and prioritize quality and natural ingredients. Our Phytotics products are formulated with carefully selected, high-quality ingredients and are free from artificial additives. Secondly, we deeply understand the unique needs and preferences of the Japanese market and have tailored our products and marketing strategies accordingly.
**WTN**: what are Kick the Huddle’s aspirations for the Japanese market going forward?
**Kim Tae-yang**: We aim to establish Phytotics as a leading health functional food brand in Japan. we will continue to expand our product offerings, build strong relationships with distributors and retailers, and engage actively with consumers through targeted marketing campaigns. Our goal is to make phytotics a recognized and trusted name synonymous with health and well-being in Japan.
**WTN**: what advice would you offer to other startups looking to enter the japanese market?
**Kim Tae-yang**: Thorough market research is crucial to understanding consumer preferences and tailoring your offerings accordingly. Building a strong network of local partners is also essential for navigating the complexities of the Japanese business environment. be prepared to adapt and persevere, as success in any new market requires commitment and resilience.
**WTN**: Thank you for your insightful perspectives, Mr. Kim. We wish you continued success in the Japanese market and beyond.
**Kim Tae-yang**: Thank you.
This interview offers a glimpse into Kick the Huddle’s strategic approach and highlights their enterprising plans for cracking the Japanese health food market.Their success story serves as inspiration for other startups looking to make their mark on the global stage.
