Ato Study

About Ato Study

Ato Study, operating under the brand name Green Lamp Library, is a South Korean company founded in 2014 by co-representatives Dongjun Lee and Hyunwook Shin, later joined by co-representative Kang-min Yang. The company has established a significant presence in the premium study space market, which is estimated to be worth between 500 and 600 billion KRW. Ato Study aims to innovate the traditional reading room market by integrating physical space with motivational content.

The company's core business is the operation of premium study cafes under the 'Green Lamp' brand. These facilities are designed to be more like modern libraries than conventional reading rooms, offering various seating and space options to cater to different study patterns and preferences. The business model relies on membership fees from its primary clientele, who are students. Ato Study operates its locations directly, ensuring consistent service quality across all branches. This direct management approach also extends to an investment model where the head office handles operational responsibilities, including marketing and staff management, appealing to investors seeking stable returns with reduced operational burden.

Ato Study's key service feature is a proprietary time management system that tracks and visualizes students' study hours. This data is displayed on a 'Green Billboard' within the study cafes, creating a competitive and motivating environment by ranking study times among members. The company believes that tangible rewards and competition are crucial for fostering self-directed learning habits. This approach has proven successful, with members averaging over 110 hours of study time per month and achieving a 93% attendance rate. In 2022, Ato Study expanded its market position significantly by acquiring 'Toz', a leading brand in the study room sector. The company has secured notable funding, including a Series A round of $7.11 million in May 2022 from investors such as Hana Ventures, Megastudy, THE VC, and Woomi Construction.