Kering held the first Kering Generation Award X Japan Ceremony
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In 2018, Kering launched the first edition of its Kering Generation Award in China to support local start-ups with a positive environmental and social impact in the creation of sustainable and innovative materials and processes. Since then, the Kering Generation Award has expanded across several regions, including Japan.
Launched in 2024 with the support of CIC Institute, local specialists for startup growth, the first "Kering Generation Award X Japan" focused on "Sustainable Fashion & Beauty", with two sub-themes: "Alternative Raw Materials & Manufacturing Processes" and "Retail & Consumer Engagement." After an initial pitching session, a panel of experts selected 11 startups among over 120 applications. These 11 shortlisted innovators then received mentoring sessions and training for their final jury presentation, all provided by experts from the luxury fashion and beauty industry and the sustainability sector.
On March 13th, 3 local start-ups were awarded during the closing ceremony in Tokyo.
Fermenstation Co., Ltd.
This research and development start-up won first prize for using fermentation technology to transform food waste into natural aromatic essences, promoting a circular economy. Praised for creating plant-based functional ingredients without new resource extraction, it offers scalable growth through globally licensable production.
AMPHICO
AMPHICO won second prize for its innovative PFAS-free breathable waterproof textiles, aligning with US and European regulations. Its unique dyeing algorithm, which creates over 1,000 colors using just six threads, drew attention from the jury for its potential to reduce the environmental impact of textile dyeing.
Algal Bio Co., Ltd.
Algal Bio, which won third prize, is a bio-venture with over 20 years of research on Japan’s marine algae. Known for its high CO2 fixation, algae contain functional ingredients and natural pigments beneficial for anti-aging, UV protection, and hydration, with applications in healthcare, beauty, and fashion.
Micro Bio Factory received a special award for its progress during the selection process. Recognized for its bio-indigo technology tackling environmental and social challenges in Japan’s denim industry, the start-up aims to decarbonize chemical manufacturing through biomass-derived raw materials.
The Awards were presented by François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of Kering, Marie-Claire Daveu, Chief Sustainability and Institutional Affairs Officer at Kering, Raffaella Cornaggia, CEO of Kering Beauty, Thierry Marty, President North & South-East Asia Pacific at Kering and Takao Watanabe, President of Goldwin Inc.
François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of Kering, shared a comment during the ceremony: "It was a natural choice to host this award in Japan, a country that is a crucial hub for our business and has a deep understanding of innovation and craftsmanship. We strongly believe that innovation is essential as luxury transitions to a more sustainable model, and through the Kering Generation Award, we aim to promote ideas and solutions that contribute to a new paradigm in the fashion industry."
Marie-Claire Daveu shared a comment on Japanese startups: "I am very proud of the first Japanese edition of our Kering Generation Award which aims to identify and celebrate sustainable innovations. I believe that the coexistence of new technology and Japanese craftsmanship within the same organization is a very unique aspect. Japan has a sophisticated market, and the standard of quality is the highest in the world, which is also a characteristic of Japanese startups."
The top three awardees will receive training and networking opportunities at Kering’s headquarters across Europe and will present their innovations at the global innovation summit "Change NOW" in April 2025. The top winner will also receive a 10-million-yen prize. Micro Bio Factory, the special award recipient, will join the European training program.
For this first Japanese edition, the ceremony’s trophy was created by Yi Design, laureate of the "Kering Generation Award X China" third edition. This unique prize, made of 3D-printed recycled ceramic fragments.
Kering’s Sustainability Strategy:
Sustainability was placed at the core of Kering’s strategy over almost 15 years ago, committing to a longer-term, all-round, and authentic sustainability from environment and ecology perspectives. Kering’s Sustainability Strategy incorporates the Group’s Houses and in underpinned by a series of milestone targets across three key pillars: Care, Collaborate and Create.
Six years into the Group’s “Crafting Tomorrow’s Luxury” strategy, Kering published its “2020-2023 Sustainability Progress Report” in March 2023, showcasing key achievements including reduction of its total environmental impacts by 40% in 2021, 4 years ahead of agenda. The Group announced in the meantime a new commitment to reduce its absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2035, on a 2021 baseline. This new target covering scopes 1, 2 and 3 of the greenhouse gas protocol.
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, McQueen, Brioni, Boucheron, Pomellato, DoDo, Qeelin and 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 2024, Kering had 47,000 employees and revenue of €17.2 billion.
About Kering Generation Award
Designed as one of the key initiatives for innovation under Kering’s 2025 Sustainability Strategy, the Kering Generation Award was launched in China in 2018 and has since been aiming to drive industry-wide transformation by recognizing and supporting startups that bring about positive environmental and social impact while addressing challenges in alternative raw materials, green supply chain, retail & use and the circular economy. The program has already been held four times in China – last year, the Group debuted its Saudi and Japanese editions. Additionally, a "Kering Generation Award X Jewelry" was launched with the cooperation of the Polytechnic University of Milan, expanding Kering's support program to the jewelry sector.
About CIC Institute
CIC Institute leverages its deep tech expertise to build innovation ecosystems, collaborating with governments, municipalities, and universities. Focused on supporting globally scalable startups, it drives economic growth through ecosystem development. Currently engaged in multiple projects with government agencies and universities, CIC Institute will continue expanding its efforts to meet rising demand, working closely with CIC, including CIC Tokyo, to foster innovation and collaboration.
Contacts:
Kering Japan
Rie Ubukata: rie.ubukata@kering.com
Eri Tamura: eri.tamura@kering.com
CIC Tokyo
