Shiseido has picked Italian biotechnology start-up Bacfarm as the winner of its annual innovation EMEA competition.
The Open Innovation Challenge 2024 collaborates with companies focused on sustainability and technology, which are then led by the Shiseido Global Innovation Center (GIC) called Fibona.
The focus of this year’s challenge was sustainable sun care, exploring innovations in UV filters and new ingredients that prioritise sustainability.
Bacfarm, founded by Giulia Guadalupi, Samuele Antonio Gaviano and Davide Emilio Lobina, was recognised for its work in commercialising new molecules extracted from bacteria.
The biotechnology start-up’s “versatile” ingredients will help address the “demand in European and international markets for raw materials sourced from alternative and sustainable sources,” read a statement from Shiseido.
Bacfarm’s bacteria-based UV protection ingredient will now be brought to life as a proof-of-concept for skin microbiome-focused beauty brand Gallinée, which Shiseido acquired in 2022.
“To be able to bring Bacfarm’s idea to a proof-of-concept with Gallinée will not only bring visibility to our work, but also help us learn about how we can commercialise our knowledge and research to take it to a wide audience,” said Bacfarm CEO Guadalupi.
“Gallinée is a brand that has inspired us from day one, so working together with [company CEO] Dr Marie Drago will be a fantastic opportunity.”
Bacfarm was chosen from six international start-ups who entered the competition this year, judged by a panel of experts including Shiseido’s EXCOM.
“This competition is an amazing opportunity to create the beauty of the future,” said Drago.
“There is so much happening in the ingredient space, and the race for better sun filters is at the forefront of it.”
Shiseido’s FIBONA EMEA Open Innovation Program was launched in 2019.
Image caption left to right: Dr Marie Drago, CEO of Gallinée; Samuele Antonio Gaviano, COO of Bacfarm; Giulia Guadalupi, CEO of Bacfarm; Davide Emilio Lobina, Administrator and CBO of Bacfarm; Léa Mancuso, Open Innovation Leader at Shiseido EMEA; and Christophe Hadjur, VP EIC & Sustainability at Shiseido EMEA.