How to invest in companies going VIRAL!

Note: This video was recorded on Saturday, 9 August 2025. 

Welcome to Stocktails, your latest excuse to shake (not stir) up your investment ideas. Former Livewire deputy managing editor Ally Selby joins me, Armina Rosenberg (aka “Arms”), in a podcast that delivers a healthy dose of investment insights alongside some cocktail chaos. In each episode, we mix drinks, dissect stocks and try not to set the kitchen on fire.

In this episode, we're taking a deep dive into the companies that are breaking the internet with TikTok-famous products. 

Take Pop Mart (HKG: 9992), for example, which has seen its share price skyrocket 589% over the last 12 months as Labubus (check out these fear-inducing monsters in the image below) became one of the scarcest resources on the planet. Or Samyang Foods (KRX: 003230), the creator of Buldak Ramen, which is up five times since late 2023 and is now Korea's biggest food and beverage stock by market cap. 

So, is there something in investing in companies with viral products? 

The issue is, the timing really matters when investing in companies going viral. And obviously, just because something is taking over TikTok doesn't mean it's a viable investment.

We recommend that investors look for companies that can demonstrate scalability and margin expansion, with a proven product track record, and at a reasonable valuation. 

With this in mind, we've backed MINISO (NYSE: MNSO) in recent weeks - a stock that was actually brought in by Taurient, our AI-powered software system. We believe three factors will drive MINISO's share price in the future: 

1. Global franchising flywheel: Franchised partners fund store capex. MINISO provides design, sourcing, IP, and store rollouts. It’s low-risk, capital-light, and scales quickly – they have added 617 overseas stores in 12 months.

2. IP co-creation: They’re shifting from anime to lifestyle collabs – for example, Coca-Cola, Barbie, Miffy, and Stitch. The “fluffy party” drops have been huge. IP contribution is targeted to exceed 50% by 2028.

3. Digital loyalty engine: MINISO has 26 million monthly active users on its app, and its ticket size is up 8% overseas. That’s a lot of data to drive cross-sell and limited drops.

There are also other companies that we believe could benefit from this new obsession with toys and trinkets... But you'll have to watch the video to find out. 

Timecodes

• 0:00 - How to make a Pop Martini and a MINISO Mule 
• 0:38 - Intro 
• 2:02 - Why Minotaur is backing MINISO? 
• 3:28 - Why MINISO was flagged by Taurient 
• 4:24 - Why Minotaur is not invested in Pop Mart
• 5:41 - How Labubus became a viral product
• 7:08 - How the reseller market impacts demand and ultimately share prices
• 8:31 - What is all the fuss about? Pop Mart unboxing 
• 10:30 - Which is the better long-term bet right now?
• 11:59 - Margin outlook for Pop Mart and MINISO 
• 13:03 - MINISO unboxing 
• 14:11 - Coverage, ownership, and what this means for Pop Mart and MINISO
• 15:40 - Why we are bullish on the outlook for MINISO 
• 16:56 - Can Pop Mart's trajectory continue? 
• 18:11 - Other toy producers that could capitalise on the craze 
• 20:00 - Viral food brands and whether this is an opportunity 
• 21:46 - Is investing in viral companies a good strategy? 

Recipes 

The Pop Martini

• 60 ml vodka 
• 15 ml Cointreau
• 30 ml cranberry juice
• 15 ml fresh lime juice
• 10 ml agave syrup 
• 1 pack popping candy
• Ice

Method:

1. Pour the popping candy onto a small plate. Moisten the rim of a chilled martini glass with lime juice, then gently dip it into the popping candy so it sticks.

2. In a cocktail shaker, add vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, lime juice, and syrup. Fill with ice and shake hard for 10–15 seconds.

3. Strain into the prepared martini glass, garnish with a lime peel, and serve immediately so the popping candy crackles for the first sip.

The MINISO Mule 

• 50 ml vodka
• 20 ml fresh lime juice
• Ginger beer (top up) 
• Drizzle of hot honey
• Ice
• Fresh mint 

Method: 

1. Fill your glass of choice with ice. Add vodka, lime juice, and honey. Stir gently.

2. Top with ginger beer and give a light stir to combine.

3. Garnish with mint and enjoy!