The 2022 vintage and sixth edition of the LVMH Innovation Awards was unveiled on June 16 at the Viva Technology trade show, the innovation mecca that runs until June 18 at Porte de Versailles in Paris. The winners were revealed in the presence of Bernard Arnault, CEO of the world’s leading luxury goods company, accompanied by Livi, the group’s new virtual avatar.
London-based Sojin Lee, founder of Toshi, was awarded the Grand Prize in the “Operations & Manufacture Experience” category.
Founded in 2017, Toshi, which specializes in technology for retail logistics, has set out to enable luxury players to offer their customers a delivery experience for online purchases that is as exclusive as the services offered in-store. Among its differentiating options: the choice of a precise delivery slot within 30 minutes, the trial of several sizes and items, without any initial payment. Returns are handled instantly. Toshi also deploys a sustainable logistics approach, relying on public transportation and a fleet of electric vehicles.
Toshi is growing rapidly and has already attracted major luxury brands in the UK and the US, and in France, several LVMH group companies (Berluti, Christian Dior Couture and Rimowa). Last February, Global Blue, the world leader in tax-free tourism, acquired a minority stake in the company.
Other winners
The LVMH Innovation Awards 2022 include six other winners. The American company Bitski (creation, sale and integration of NFTs into websites, games or metaverse applications) received the 3D/Virtual experience & Metaverse prize. The French company Gamino (digital training to raise awareness of disability issues among employees) won the “Employee Experience & CSR” award. The Media & Brand Awareness and Omnichannel & Retail awards went to Sweden’s SeenThis (streaming technology that accelerates the display of video content and advertising) and Switzerland’s The ShowCase (remote presentation of watch and jewelry products using live video).
The Sustainability award went to French company WeTurn, which transforms unsold goods and textiles into new yarns.
The American company MarqVision, which detects counterfeit goods through image recognition using artificial intelligence and semantic analysis, received a special prize for its work related to data and AI.
Like the other winners, Toshi was selected by a jury of recognized digital experts, after examining their files and pitch sessions. For six months, she will receive personalized support at the “La Maison des Startups LVMH” gas pedal, based at Station F in Paris since 2018.
Of the 920 startup candidates, 21 from 9 countries, 48% of which were founded or co-founded by a woman, had been pre-selected.
Read also > BRITISH DESIGNER STEVEN STOKEY DALEY, WINNER OF THE LVMH 2022 PRIZE
Featured photo : © Press
