Kering Announces the 11 finalists of the Japanese Edition of its Kering Generation Award
11 out of more than 120 startups were chosen through a rigorous selection and pitching process for the Kering Generation Award x JAPAN, organized by Kering in partnership with the CIC Institute in Tokyo.
Under the theme “Sustainable Fashion and Beauty,” the first Japanese edition of the Kering Generation Award focuses on companies addressing the key stages of a product’s life cycle: alternative raw materials, manufacturing, retail, and customer engagement. Having already been presented three times in China, this award highlights sustainable innovations that positively impact both the environment and society within Japan’s fashion and beauty sectors. Depending on their specialization, these startups and researchers were invited to apply to join one of the following two categories:
– Category A (alternative raw materials, manufacturing)
– Category B (retail, consumer engagement)
The 11 finalists will each present their projects on Friday, November 8, at Kering’s headquarters in Tokyo. After these presentations, the jury — comprising fashion and luxury experts such as Raffaella Cornaggia, CEO of Kering Beauté; Marie-Claire Daveu, Director of Sustainable Development and Institutional Affairs at Kering; and Thierry Marty, President of Kering North and Southeast Asia Pacific— will select three winners. These selected finalists will be honored during a ceremony in Tokyo in the spring of 2025.
The startups selected in the category A:
Algal Bio
The company is developing a groundbreaking technology that converts algae into an alternative raw material for the beauty and fashion industries.
Amphico
The start-up specializes in developing breathable and waterproof technical textiles free from PFAs, specifically designed for outdoor clothing. Additionally, it offers an innovative waterless dyeing technique that significantly reduces environmental impact, particularly in terms of water pollution.
Synflux
By utilizing its unique design tool for digitizing the manufacturing process, known as Algorithmic Couture, Synflux minimizes fabric waste generated during garment design, effectively reducing the industrial carbon footprint.
FiberCraze
By harnessing invisible nanotechnology, the company aims to leverage the technological strengths of the Gifu region to develop materials that will serve as a foundation for industrial advancement.
Fermenstation
By leveraging proprietary fermentation technology, the start-up transforms abandoned biomass—including low-grade agricultural products and production waste from food and beverage facilities—into a diverse range of cosmetic ingredients and flavors.
Micro Bio Factory
Micro Bio Factory is working on the production of chemicals through microbial fermentation from biomass-derived feedstocks to minimize the use of fossil fuels in chemical production.
The startups selected in the category B:
Archivestock
The start-up launched the resale platform “ARCHIVESTOCK,” enabling users to exchange fashion items. Committed to fostering a global eco-responsible community, the company promotes second-hand shopping while leveraging artificial intelligence technology to enhance the user experience.
Comvey
Comvey developed and launched Share Bag®, a reusable packaging solution for e-commerce businesses, and an operational system to manage it, with the vision of “creating beautiful logistics”.
Standing Ovation
The company offers two primary services: XZ (pronounced “closet”), a B2C application that utilizes artificial intelligence to recommend outfits based on the user’s existing wardrobe, and XZ-biz, a B2B service that enables e-commerce platforms to help their customers assess the compatibility of available products with their own wardrobes.
Spacewasp
The company produces and markets furniture and interior decoration items, as well as building materials, made from plant waste sourced from various industries. Spacewasp offers customized solutions for hotels, offices, shops, and other businesses in need of interior decoration services.
Mangata
Mangata collaborates with 16 major cosmetic companies to recycle ingredients within the industry. In addition to its B2B activities—such as material development, planning, management, and intellectual property affairs—the company is expanding into B2C to create new products. Mangata also develops systems to optimize distribution, ensure traceability, and facilitate certification, establishing itself as a central pillar in the cosmetics industry’s recycling ecosystem.
About Kering
A global Luxury group, Kering manages the development of a series of renowned Houses in Fashion, Leather Goods and Jewelry: Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Brioni, Boucheron, Pomellato, DoDo, Qeelin, Ginori 1735 as well as Kering Eyewear and Kering Beauté. By placing creativity at the heart of its strategy, Kering enables its Houses to set new limits in terms of their creative expression while crafting tomorrow’s Luxury in a sustainable and responsible way. We capture these beliefs in our signature: “Empowering Imagination”. In 2023, Kering had over 49,000 employees and revenue of €19.6 billion.
About Kering Generation Award
In 2017, as part of the Group’s sustainability strategy, Kering joined the “Plug and Play – Fashion for Good” accelerator in Europe, scouting innovative solutions across the entire fashion industry chain, as well as thinking about changes from perspectives such as “alternative raw materials to recycling technology” and thereby extending product lifespan.
Aligned with Kering’s vision of “Crafting tomorrow’s luxury”, the “Kering Generation Award” was founded in China in December 2018, aiming to recognize and support Chinese startups that can bring about positive environmental and social impact and address challenges in alternative raw materials, green supply chain, retail & use, and the circular economy. In 2021, the second Kering Generation Award focused on biodiversity and beyond, seeking startups working in the areas of ensuring clean water, building healthy soil, supporting wildlife and animal welfare as well as empowering people with knowledge of the relationship between fashion and nature.
In December 2022, Kering announced the third Kering Generation Award around the theme “Coming Full Circle”, promoting the complete development of the circular economy at every link of the fashion industry. The Award Ceremony was held on 16 October 2023 in Shanghai.
About CIC Tokyo
CIC Tokyo, spanning 6,000 square meters across the 15th and 16th floors of Toranomon Hills Business Tower, is a hub for comfortable shared office space and a beacon of global innovation. Currently housing over 280 companies, it hosts over 200 events annually.
With the aim of fostering the global growth of startups and creating a high-density innovation community where innovators, investors, and companies from around the world converge, CIC Tokyo endeavors to be more than just an “office space.” It strives to provide essential support to promising startup ventures when needed, facilitating an environment where innovation thrives continuously.
About CIC Institute
CIC Institute leverages its expertise in building innovation ecosystems and supporting startups, particularly in the deep tech sector, to collaborate with government bodies, local municipalities, universities, and others. Our team focuses on supporting the growth of startups capable of global success and facilitating ecosystem development. Currently, CIC Institute is engaged in various projects with government agencies and universities, contributing to economic development through ecosystem advancement and innovation. Moving forward, we will continue to execute more projects in response to the increasing demand from government agencies and private enterprises, closely coordinating with CIC, including CIC Tokyo, to promote innovation and foster collaboration.
Contacts:
Kering Japan
Rie Ubukata: [email protected]
Eri Tamura: [email protected]
CIC Tokyo
