S.Korean startup Jobis&Villains expands to UK with tax return service

Jobis&Villains Corp., a South Korean startup that offers a tax return service called “3o3,” said on Friday that it had set up a local unit in London after being selected for a UK government program for tax-related services.

The company, which aims to help self-employed workers, freelancers and gig workers with complex tax return procedures, plans to launch its service in Britain by April next year. It said it was the first startup in the world to join the Global Entrepreneur Program (GEP) for tax services in November.

Jobis&Villains estimates that UK citizens miss out on 20 billion pounds ($27.6 billion) of tax refunds each year.

In its first move, the UK corporation of Jobis&Villains participated in an investment briefing as one of five domestic fintech companies at the "2023 London Conference: Startups from Seoul" held by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the London Stock Exchange on March 14.

According to the Seoul Investment Agency, this was the first time a promising Korean startup investor relations event was held at the London Stock Exchange.

The UK corporation of Jobis&Villains is led by Kim Hyun-ju, head of the company's global business division. According to the company, Kim, who has ten years of experience as a global business expert, previously served as head of the overseas operation and strategic planning team at Lotte Cinema Hong Kong and as CEO of Lotte Cinema Hong Kong Corporation.

“We see this as a great opportunity given that UK citizens are also struggling with complex tax return procedures,” Kim said. “As we expand our business to Commonwealth countries, we will become a global AI startup representing Korea.”

Write to See-Eun Lee at see@hankyung.com