New Shiseido venture fund will invest in innovative early-stage companies

Japanese beauty giant Shiseido Company Limited has announced the launch of a venture fund for investing in innovative early-stage companies within the beauty/wellness space.

Called Shiseido Long Term Investments for the Future (LIFT) Ventures, the newly formed limited liability company, is intent on investing in “novel technologies, innovative platforms, high-growth brands, and new business models, among others”. The fund will “primarily focus on compelling innovation in the Western hemisphere, while maintaining a global lens”.

That largely means North, Central and South America although a small part of Europe (including the UK) and Africa technically come into that hemisphere. And with one investment being in an Australian business, it’s clear that there’s some flexibility in that focus.

LIFT Ventures will be led by Ron Gee and will be located in New York City.

The company said the creation of a dedicated fund aligns with its goal of becoming a “personal beauty wellness company”. 

It also unveiled its inaugural investments, which are in Phi Therapeutics Inc (Phyla), a pioneer in bacteriophage technology, and in Patrick Kidd Holdings Pty Ltd (Patricks), a men’s grooming brand with an elevated lifestyle approach. Phyla is based in San Francisco, California and was founded by Yug Varma PhD. Patricks is based in Sydney, Australia and was founded by Patrick and Aimee Kidd.

“Since Shiseido’s founding in 1872, innovation has served as a foundational pillar of our company and a critical component of our future,” said Chairman and CEO Masahiko Uotani. “The creation of LIFT Ventures represents a new opportunity to partner with organisations 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.”