Shiseido Company, Ltd. has launched Shiseido Long Term Investments for the Future (LIFT) Ventures, an LLC focused on investing in early-stage beauty and wellness companies.
LIFT Ventures' key interests include novel technologies, innovative platforms, high-growth brands and new business models, per the company, and will center primarily in the Western hemisphere.
The group's first investments are in San Francisco-based Phi Therapeutics, Inc. (Phyla), a specialist in bacteriophage technology, and in Sydney-based Patrick Kidd Holdings Pty Ltd., a men’s grooming brand.
“Since Shiseido’s founding in 1872, innovation has served as a foundational pillar of our company and a critical component of our future,” said Masahiko Uotani, chairman and CEO of Shiseido. “The creation of LIFT Ventures represents a new opportunity to partner with organizations focused on creating pioneering beauty wellness solutions and to gain further insights and access for Shiseido’s growth ambitions. LIFT Ventures presents a welcome opportunity to build knowledge, create value, and ultimately, achieve meaningful progress for all.”
“LIFT Ventures accelerates Shiseido’s continued focus on innovation and represents a natural extension of our commitment to enable the future of beauty and wellness,” said Shiseido Americas’ president and CEO, Ron Gee. “Supporting, mentoring, and empowering new businesses is an important component of our future roadmap. We are excited to share our unique perspective, exercise our extensive experience, forging strategic partnerships and helping like-minded entrepreneurs scale and achieve long-term growth. With this in mind, we are delighted to partner with Phyla and Patricks, two companies focused on driving innovation and disrupting their respective categories.”
