iNGR, Inc.
Corporate brand
UnclaimedSouth Korean green-bio company developing plant-cell-derived natural biomaterial platforms for the beauty and health industry.
Last updated September 26, 2026
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Overview
iNGR, Inc. (아이엔지알) is a South Korean green-bio company headquartered in Andong. It was originally established in February 2010 as Hyangto Genetic Resources Research Institute Co., Ltd. (㈜향토유전자원연구소) and changed its corporate name to iNGR, Inc. in December 2020. The company's mission is expressed as "Imagine the Next Green Revolution," and it describes itself as a specialist developer of innovative materials that protect human health and happiness. iNGR builds its business around a natural biomaterial platform derived from plant cells. Its core technologies are a molecular switch technology, plant cell culture technology, and bioconversion technology. Using these, the company discovers natural materials from plant stem cell lines and develops systems for their mass production. Its products and services include functional materials and related technical services for cosmetics and foods. The molecular switch technology is used to regulate plant metabolism and increase the content of useful ingredients; plant cell culture technology allows natural materials to be produced without constraints from ecology or cultivation environment; and bioconversion technology enables the production of high-value efficacious ingredients from low-cost precursors. Beyond supplying ingredients, iNGR has developed its own beauty-health brand, Vegetology, and launched functional cosmetics under it, aiming to realize the value of its natural biomaterial platform. Vegetology is described as a natural biomaterials platform for cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals. The company operates in the Bio, Beauty & Health (B&H), and Smart Precision Agriculture (S&P Agro) fields. iNGR has pursued research and development through its affiliated biotechnology research institutes, first recognized in Cheonan in November 2016, with a branch research institute established in Jeongeup in July 2021. It has registered patents relating to plant callus culture, stilbene compounds, viniferin production, and related technologies, and has registered trademarks including Vegetology, VinoChocolate, ZERO PLAN, HappySol, and HappyGreen. The company has obtained certifications such as Inno-Biz, venture enterprise certification, ISO 9001, and green-bio company designation. It has raised venture capital through Series A and Series B rounds and has participated in international beauty exhibitions, including K-Beauty Expo Taiwan and the Brazil Beauty Fair.
History
iNGR, Inc. traces its origins to February 2010, when it was incorporated as Hyangto Genetic Resources Research Institute Co., Ltd. (㈜향토유전자원연구소). In June 2010 it was recognized as a venture enterprise by the Korea Technology Finance Corporation. In June 2011 it registered a factory for biological agent manufacturing and was selected for a startup growth technology development project by the Small and Medium Business Administration. In June 2012 it was selected for an industry-academia joint technology development project. In December 2013 the company developed 'Resveratrol Activated,' an anti-aging grape extract. In April 2015 it developed 'HappySol,' a pheromone attractant trap for pine wood nematode. In November 2016 it received recognition for its affiliated research institute, the Biotechnology Research Institute in Cheonan, and in May 2016 obtained ISO 9001 quality management system certification. In January 2017 it was certified as an Inno-Biz technology-innovative SME by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. In November 2017 the International Cosmetics Association registered 'Aralia elata callus extract' and 'Anemarrhena asphodeloides callus extract' as INCI ingredients. In December 2017 it was certified as an export frontier enterprise by Gyeonggi Province. In December 2018 it was selected for an industry-academia-research cooperative technology development project by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. In May 2019 the company registered 'viniferin culture fluid' patent in Japan and registered 'Vino Chocolate' raw material with the International Cosmetics Association (INCI). In June 2020 it was recognized as a venture enterprise by the Korea Technology Finance Corporation, and in December 2020 it was selected for a Korea-Russia international joint technology development project by the Ministry of Industry. Also in December 2020, it registered a US patent for 'viniferin culture fluid' and changed its corporate name to iNGR, Inc. (㈜아이엔지알). In February 2021 it joined the KDRA Natural Product Development Research Group. In May 2021 it attracted Series A investment. In July 2021 it established a branch of its affiliated research institute, the Biotechnology Research Institute, in Jeongeup. In August 2021 it was certified as an Inno-Biz technology-innovative SME by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. In November 2021 it signed an agreement with the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology for technology transfer of germinated oat and cooperation on hemp technology. In December 2021 it was selected as a business operator for the Gyeongbuk Industrial Hemp Regulation-Free Special Zone by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. In March 2022 the company launched its new brand Vegetology and built an online shopping mall at www.vegetology.co.kr. In March 2023 it attracted Series A venture capital investment and registered Vegetology skincare products overseas, including CPNP and MoCRA. In November 2023 it was selected as an export frontier enterprise. In February 2024 it obtained advanced technology and product certification for its molecular switch technology. In June 2024 it renewed its Inno-Biz certification. In August 2024 it was selected as a global IP star company, selected for a research and development special zone sustainable growth R&D project, and selected for a biomedical technology development R&D project. In December 2024 it obtained a temporary permit for industrial hemp cultivation. In March 2025 it was designated as a green-bio company. In June 2025 it renewed its venture enterprise confirmation. In August 2025 it attracted Series B venture capital investment. In December 2025 it was designated for venture startup innovation procurement products.
Incorporated as Hyangto Genetic Resources Research Institute Co., Ltd.
Recognized as a venture enterprise by the Korea Technology Finance Corporation
Registered factory for biological agent manufacturing; selected for startup growth technology development project
Developed 'Resveratrol Activated' anti-aging grape extract
Developed 'HappySol' pine wood nematode pheromone attractant trap
Obtained ISO 9001 quality management system certification
Affiliated Biotechnology Research Institute recognized in Cheonan
Certified as Inno-Biz technology-innovative SME
Registered Aralia elata callus extract and Anemarrhena asphodeloides callus extract as INCI ingredients
Registered 'viniferin culture fluid' patent in Japan; registered 'Vino Chocolate' raw material with INCI
Products and positioning
A green-bio specialist building a plant-cell-derived natural biomaterial platform to lead the beauty-health industry.
Vegetology skincare
Functional cosmetics under iNGR's own beauty brand, launched in 2022.
VinoChocolate
Trademarked product name associated with viniferin or grape-derived ingredients.
ZERO PLAN
Registered trademark of iNGR.
HappySol
Pine wood nematode pheromone attractant trap developed in 2015.
HappyGreen
Registered trademark of iNGR.
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