Johnson & Johnson Innovation (JJDC, Inc.) is the strategic venture capital arm of healthcare giant, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ). JJDC looks to make investments and help grow companies within the healthcare sector. Being that JJDC is backed by a major company, the VC firm’s “partners benefit from the full global capabilities of Johnson & Johnson as we collaborate to drive innovation,” according to the firm.
JJDC particularly focuses on allocating capital and growth consulting to primarily the pharmaceutical, medical device, and consumer healthcare industries. Furthermore, the venture capital firm engages in strategic investments at all stages, from seed funding to Series B and higher.
Johnson & Johnson Innovation makes news after leading a $35 million Series D funding round for Memebox, a global beauty company seeking to capitalize on the K-beauty trend. K-beauty deals with skin, beauty, make-up, and other accessories inspired by South Korea.
Memebox graduated Y Combinator in 2014 and has secured a total of $190 million in funding to date. Other major investors in Memebox include Formation Group and Goodwater Capital. Here is the full press release detailing of the Series D funding round:
Memebox Press Release:
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Memebox, the K-Beauty upstart known for building fast-to-market brands powered by data-driven consumer insights, announced today that it has closed a $35 million Series D funding round led by JJDC. The funding underscores how digitally native brands that merge innovation with customer centricity are disrupting the beauty industry’s status quo.
This takes Memebox, which graduated Y Combinator in 2014, to $190 million in funding to date. Other investors in the company include Formation Group and Goodwater Capital.
With K-Beauty principles at its core, the company has a diverse portfolio of best-selling private label brands including I Dew Care, Kaja, Nooni and Pony Effect powered by the latest Korean technology and formulations. Memebox will continue to strengthen its portfolio of indie brands by investing in digital and working with innovative manufacturing and retail partners.
The funding will be used to accelerate overall growth for Memebox. “We want to build the next generation of personal care brands by leveraging Korean technology across beauty categories. We work closely with our strategic partners so that together we can imagine and create the next cult product. We are laser-focused on predicting and delivering what consumers are craving and believe taking a science-focused approach is key,” said Hyungseok Dino Ha, CEO and founder of Memebox. “That’s why we are excited about the investment by JJDC as we will leverage the company’s global capabilities and scientific expertise which will enable us to take a big step forward in our focus on innovation, R&D, and ultimately, reaching a global audience.”
Memebox’s funding announcement follows the reintroduction of the company’s e-commerce engine in June along with the unveiling of a first-of-its-kind K-Beauty color makeup line, Kaja, in September in partnership with Sephora.
