LVMH at VivaTech: three startups receive awards

It was on the main stage of the exhibition center at the Porte de Versailles in Paris that the winners of the LVMH Innovation Award were applauded by the crowd and presented with their awards this morning.

In the unusual and rather surprising absence of Bernard Arnault, other major figures from the group were present, including Antoine Arnault, CEO of Christian Dior SE, Stéphane Bianchi, Deputy CEO of LVMH, Mathilde Delhoume, Global Brand Officer, and Hélène Valade, Director of Environmental Development for the group.It is worth noting that this year LVMH opted for a more discreet presence than in previous years, probably in line with the “quiet tech” strategy announced a few days before the opening of the show by Franck Le Moal, LVMH's IT and Technology Director. For this edition, a smaller pavilion than in previous years brings together startups and fashion houses in a single location.

The absence of Bernard Arnault at the ceremony, as well as the presentation of only three awards—instead of the usual eight—came as a surprise. Among the 13 candidates in the running, already integrated into the "Maison des Startups", three were awarded prizes: the Best Business award, which recognizes the solution most beneficial to the growth and operational transformation of a company, went to Kahoona. In collaboration with Dior, the startup has reimagined the digital luxury experience to create seamless and immersive user journeys.

Adrienne de Malleray and her startup Genesis, winner of the Best Impact Prize, was recognized for its technology promoting sustainability, ethics, responsibility, and accessibility. Her collaboration with Moët Hennessy has improved soil health monitoring, which is essential for the champagne house.

The startup OMI was awarded the Most Promising Prize for its innovative solution with strong potential for replication and evolution within the group's ecosystem. Working with Guerlain, it used 3D technology to generate immersive visuals for the Shalimar fragrance.

Each winner received a solid silver and vermeil trophy, personalized and handcrafted by Tiffany & Co.

"For us, innovation is a means of improving our performance, quality, and efficiency. For LVMH, it can be summed up in one word: excellence, in everything we do, in everything we create," said Stéphane Bianchi, Deputy CEO of LVMH and former CEO of TAG Heuer, on stage this morning.

The group also took the opportunity to highlight the launch of its partnership with Formula 1 by presenting the FIA Formula 1® World Championship trophy and its Louis Vuitton trunk, as well as an immersive video booth in its “Dreamscape” pavilion. The ten-year partnership will see TAG Heuer return to its role as official timekeeper on the circuits. The show, which has seen major figures from the world of technology such as Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, as well as politics, with the presence of Emmanuel Macron last Wednesday, will close its doors on June 14.

It is expected to welcome more than 165,000 participants, 13,500 startups, and 3,500 exhibitors.