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, and Enhance Consumers' Water Consciousness and Transform Lifestyles.

In collaboration with Tsinghua x-lab, a 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 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.

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.

Award Ceremony
October 16 - Shanghai Fashion Week
Museum of Art Pudong - China