Launched in 2018 by Kering and Plug and Play China, the Kering Generation Award aims to identify and support startups that drive sustainable innovation in the fashion and beauty industries. This year’s edition, on the theme of “Pioneering Water Positive Impact”, explores innovation around water stewardship across the value chain of the luxury industry, focused on three key areas:
- Rejuvenate Earth Water Ecosystem
- Navigate Industry Water Risks
- Enhance Consumers’ Water Consciousness and Transform Lifestyles
In collaboration with Tsinghua x-lab university-based education platform designed to foster student creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship, to empower young entrepreneurs through the integration of industry, academia, and research, the award attracted over 230 applications. After a rigorous selection process led by Kering’s sustainability experts and the China Advisory Council, 10 projects were selected to participate in a closed-door Acceleration Camp, followed by a Pitch Day.
During the camp, finalists received tailored mentorship from professors at Tsinghua University’s School of Environment and School of Economics and Management, alongside thematic workshops led by x-lab mentors. The sessions focused on breakthrough technologies, sustainable business models, and strategic innovation.
The Pitch Day showcased a diverse range of solutions, including aquatic ecosystem protection, fashion and beauty raw materials, waterless dyeing, water-saving and energy-saving manufacturing, wastewater reduction and treatment, as well as microplastic/microfiber detection, demonstrating a cross-industry approach, high technological value, broad application potential, and far-reaching social impact. These cutting-edge advancements are powered by generative AI, synthetic biology, advanced materials, innovative hardware, and algorithmic technologies—the final pitch charted a course for youth entrepreneurship that balances environmental sustainability with business viability.
CAI Jinqing, President of Kering Greater China, said, “We are proud to partner with Tsinghua x-lab through this year’s award to fuel the growth of the youth entrepreneurship community. The startups competing for this award have shown exceptional business insight, innovation, and a strong commitment to sustainability. We look forward to strengthening our collaboration with local partners to further accelerate youth-driven innovation and enable seamless resource connections across the entire value chain, paving the way for the development of a sustainable fashion ecosystem.”
HE Ping, Deputy Dean of the School of Economics and Management at Tsinghua University, said, “For many years, Tsinghua x-lab has been dedicated to advancing university-industry collaboration in innovation. We are truly honored to join hands with Kering for the 4th Kering Generation Award China, an international platform for young innovators. More and more young talents are demonstrating forward-looking strategic vision and solid innovative capabilities on this platform. We look forward to these 10 outstanding teams continuing to grow and making important contributions to industrial transformation and social progress.”
“At Kering, we believe that true innovation goes hand in hand with sustainability. Through our Kering Generation Award created in 2018, we are proud to support a new generation of trailblazers who are driving breakthrough solutions with water-positive impact across our industry. This year’s Chinese finalists have demonstrated not only strong technological potential, but also a shared commitment to shaping a more responsible and regenerative future”, commented Marie-Claire Daveu, Chief Sustainability and Institutional Affairs Officer, Kering.
The Award Ceremony will take place on October 16th, during Shanghai Fashion Week, at the Museum of Art Pudong. Discover below the top 10 finalists for this year’s award:
Daosheng Synbiology
Daosheng Synbio replaces chemical dyes with synthetic dyes, reducing water pollution. Its industrial-scale synthetic indigo production uses a proprietary bacterial strain that achieves world-leading efficiency.
Exponent Envirotech
Exponent Envirotech develops a waterless dyeing technology for cotton and other cellulose fibers, using a proprietary non-aqueous solution that reduces water consumption by 95% and nearly eliminates wastewater discharge.
Green Universe
Green Universe leverages Cyclopentasiloxane (D5) silicone oil as a dyeing medium to pioneer waterless and water-saving processes for polyester, cotton, nylon, silk, wool, and more—achieving near-zero water consumption and wastewater discharge.
InterPhase
By leveraging the self-developed unique structure and interfacial properties of 3D fibrous textiles, combined with wind-enhanced evaporation and AI-assisted design, InterPhase enables efficient wastewater treatment and recycling and the extraction of valuable resources.
Jiayuan Biotechnology
Jiayuan Biotech industrializes pure chitosan fiber from discarded crab shells, delivering naturally antibacterial solutions for diverse industries including textiles, medical care.
Jintang Textile
Jintang Textile provides consulting services and a technology package adopting self-developed new material and wastewater processing solutions for the pre-treatment stage of dyeing.
Ocean Shield
Ocean Shield develops an environmentally friendly macromolecular sunscreen ingredient with key characteristics such as full-spectrum sun protection, zero dermal absorption, water solubility, and biodegradability, which could not only be used in sunscreen skincare and makeup, but also in the construction Industry and cultural heritage preservation.
Purvée Technology
Purvee Tech innovates a holistic solution and device for micro-plastic and micro-fiber detection, capture, evaluation, and consulting for government, corporate, and consumer scenarios, utilizing smart hardware equipped with infrared spectroscopy and AI algorithms.
Qs SynBio
Powered by a proprietary bacteria-focused AI LLM, QS Synbio identifies and isolates bacterial strains for targeted treatment plants, developing tailored water treatment solutions optimized by AI for maximum efficiency.
Yuantian Biotechnology
Yuantian Biotech is committed to enabling the circular utilization of PET plastics and post-consumer polyester textiles through enzyme-catalyzed degradation technology, successfully achieving enzymatic production of rPTA, and is advancing the industrialization of rbPET.
The Award Ceremony will take place on October 16th, during Shanghai Fashion Week, at the Museum of Art Pudong.
About Kering Generation Award China
In 2017, as part of its Sustainability strategy, Kering joined the “Plug and Play – Fashion for Good” accelerator to identify more sustainable and innovative materials and processes in Europe. In 2018, in partnership with Plug and Play China, Kering launched the first edition of the “Kering Generation Award” to support Chinese start-ups with a positive environmental and social impact. Since then, the “Kering Generation Award” has been launched in Japan, and then in Saudi Arabia with the support of the Fashion Commission. In January 2025, Kering announced the fourth Kering Generation Award with the theme “Pioneering Water Positive Impact”, exploring innovation around water stewardship across the value chain of China’s luxury sector. The award ceremony is scheduled for October 2025 during Shanghai Fashion Week.
About Plug and Play
Plug and Play started its business at 165 University Avenue, Palo Alto, CA in 1998. Since then, the company successfully invested and incubated many internet giants including PayPal, Google, Dropbox, etc. Plug and Play was formally established in Silicon Valley in 2006 and now has over 50 regional offices worldwide. It has invested in over 1,600 startups globally. Founded in 2016, Plug and Play China currently has 3 regional innovation centers in Beijing (China HQ), Shanghai and Shenzhen. There are 4 main business functions across Plug and Play China’s innovation platform including corporate innovation, city innovation, tech investment, and innovation space. To date, the company has engaged with 100+ industry-leading corporations, accelerated over 1700 startups, and has invested in over 150 startups including ApplyBoard, AutoX, Flexiv, ZiFiSense, etc.
About Tsinghua x-lab
Tsinghua x-lab (x-lab) is a non-profit, university-based innovation platform aimed at nurturing creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Established in April 2013, x-lab supports startups across diverse sectors, serving the Tsinghua community, including students, alumni, and faculty. Anchored in the Tsinghua School of Economics and Management (Tsinghua SEM), it collaborates with 16 schools and departments, fostering an integrated system of education, training, and networking. x-lab is dedicated to advancing the commercialization of Tsinghua University’s scientific and technological breakthroughs, cultivating entrepreneurial talent nationwide, and contributing to China’s nation’s development strategy.
About Shanghai Fashion Week
As a reputed City Name Card, Shanghai Fashion Week, relying on the urban heritage and cultural confidence of Shanghai, a century-old fashion capital, adheres to the positioning philosophy of “integration of local and international visions” and “balance between creative design and commercial implementation”. In the past 20 years, it has evolved from a merely fashion showcase platform to a fashion eco landscape, which runs through the entire fashion industry, and is commented as “the world’s most dynamic fashion week”.
Press Contacts
Yun Jiang – +86 (21) 6185 3683 – yun.jiang@kering.com
Louise Lin – +86 (21) 6185 3683 – louise.lin@kering.com
Rex Chen / Amber Chan – +86 186 1681 8697 / +86 135 2448 1923 – rex.chen@fleishman.com / amber.chan@fleishman.com