What are the Luxury Innovation Awards?
The Luxury Innovation Awards (sometimes presented as part of the Luxury Innovation Summit & Awards) is an international competition and platform based in Geneva, Switzerland, focused on recognizing and promoting emerging brands, startups, and innovators in the luxury sector who are redefining what “luxury” means through innovation, creativity, sustainability, technology, and new business models.
Key facts:
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It was launched in 2020. Luxury Venture Group+3Luxury Innovation Summit and Awards+3Luxury Innovation Summit and Awards+3
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It is organized by Maison LVG / Luxury Venture Group (a Swiss-based venture / innovation group) as part of their broader “Luxury Innovation Summit” initiative.
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The Awards are held annually in Geneva, and finalists present their innovations live (pitch) at the Summit (or a related event) before an audience of luxury executives, investors, media, and peers. europastar.com+5Luxury Innovation Summit and Awards+5Luxury Venture Group+5
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The aim is not just giving a trophy, but providing visibility, networking, partnership opportunities, and reinforcing the brand / startup’s reputation in the luxury ecosystem.
Because the luxury sector is evolving — e.g. with digitalization, sustainability, new consumer behaviors, and shifts in supply chains — such an award helps spotlight those pushing the boundaries and shaping future definitions of what luxury can be.
Categories & Criteria
Over the years, the Luxury Innovation Awards have refined their categories to reflect the current challenges and trends in luxury. As of the 2025 edition, the categories include (but may evolve) the following:
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Sustainable Luxury and Circular Innovation
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Digital and Tech-Driven Luxury Innovation
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Redefining Luxury Experiences and Hospitality
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Next-Gen Craftsmanship: Fashion, Jewellery, and Design
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Beauty and Wellness Innovation
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Disruptive Business Models in Luxury
Some additional notes on criteria and process:
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The initial application stage is free of charge. Luxury Innovation Summit and Awards+2Luxury Innovation Summit and Awards+2
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If selected as a finalist, a participation fee is required (often scaled by revenue / company stage) to support the logistics, promotion, and benefits of being in the finalist pool. Luxury Innovation Summit and Awards
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Applicants typically must be past the prototype / proof-of-concept stage; they should have some traction, market validation or business operations already underway.
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A jury composed of industry veterans, executives, experts, and thought leaders in luxury, technology, and investment reviews the submissions. Luxury Venture Group+3europastar.com+3europastar.com+3
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Finalists pitch live in Geneva; jury deliberation (and in some cases a public vote) determine winners. Luxury Innovation Summit and Awards+4Luxury Venture Group+4europastar.com+4
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The winners are celebrated in a gala / awards ceremony (often in a prestigious venue). Luxury Innovation Summit and Awards+3Luxury Venture Group+3Luxury Innovation Summit and Awards+3
Because the award is designed to connect emerging players with the luxury industry, the evaluation tends to weigh factors such as:
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Originality / innovation (how new or disruptive is the idea)
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Impact on luxury value chain (can this innovation realistically improve or reshape parts of production, experience, branding, delivery etc.)
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Scalability / business model viability
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Sustainability / ethics (especially in recent years, given consumer and regulatory pressure)
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Presentation & communication — the ability to articulate the concept, market relevance, and vision
Importance & Value to Participants
Why do luxury‐oriented startups or brands care about this award? Some of the benefits include:
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Visibility in the luxury ecosystem
Being shortlisted or winning gives you exposure to luxury decision-makers, media, investors, and other brands. It helps the brand become known in a domain that can be otherwise insular. -
Validation / credibility
Being vetted by a jury of experts and making it to the finalist stage serves as a signal of quality, seriousness, and potential in a very competitive domain. -
Networking & partnerships
The event setting (Summit, in-person, networking sessions) fosters connections with corporates, mentors, potential collaborators or acquirers. -
Strategic feedback & mentoring
Even if you don’t win, being part of the process often gives you critique, guidance, and visibility to adjust your strategy. -
Media / PR benefit
Even being a finalist or nominee can be leveraged in marketing, investor decks, press releases, etc. -
Access to investors / funding / partnerships
In some cases, the award organizers or partners may facilitate introductions to investors or brand collaborations. -
Positioning for continued growth
Luxury is a reputation‐driven sector; being associated with a recognized innovation award can help you forge entry into brand collaborations, distribution, or licensing opportunities.
However, it’s fair to temper expectations: winning is valuable, but the long-term benefit depends on how well the brand uses the exposure, follows through, and capitalizes on the new contacts.
Recent Editions & Winners
Looking at recent years gives insight into how the award is evolving and what kind of innovations are recognized.
2025
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The 2025 edition was held 1–2 September 2025 in Geneva (venues: FER Geneva, Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues) during the Luxury Innovation Summit & Awards. Luxury Venture Group+2Luxury Innovation Summit and Awards+2
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Six winners were selected across the categories, and one of them (CERRET) also won the Public Choice Award. europastar.com
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Award winners in 2025 included: Bosch Secure Authentication (Germany) for Digital & Tech-Driven, zammy ai, GOOLD AG, CERRET, YU.SH, and THE EMBASSIES. europastar.com+1
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The 2025 winners reflect a wide range — from advanced authentication tech to sustainable / design innovations. europastar.com
Earlier Editions
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In 2022, from 122 entries from 21 countries, five winners were chosen. europastar.com+1
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For 2023, 14 finalists were selected from over 120 applicants across 28 countries. europastar.com+1
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Over time, the award has expanded in reach, prestige, and alignment with current themes (especially sustainability, tech, new business models).
Challenges, Critiques & Considerations
While the Luxury Innovation Awards seem strong and well regarded, like any award program there are tradeoffs and caveats to consider:
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Cost vs Benefit: While the application is free initially, finalist participation fees may be steep for early-stage startups, which could limit who can realistically compete.
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Selectivity & Competition: It’s competitive — many applicants, only a handful of finalists — so chances are low unless the proposal is strong and distinctive.
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Follow-through matters: The award itself is a tool, but unless you leverage the exposure, connections, marketing, and further execution, the impact can fade.
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Bias / jury preferences: As with many awards, jury composition, industry trends, risk aversion, and cultural biases can affect selection. What counts as “innovation” might be conservative in some domains.
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Overemphasis on the “award” vs substance: Some might focus too much on getting the trophy rather than on making a solid business, product, or brand.
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Logistics / travel: Finalists must often present in person, which may impose costs, visa / travel constraints, etc.
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No guaranteed revenue / funding: Winning doesn’t guarantee funding, sales, or follow-on contracts — it’s a visibility boost, not a guarantee.
Thus, for participants, it’s crucial to treat this as one element in a broader strategy (branding, partnerships, expansion) rather than the ultimate goal.
Tips for a Strong Entry & Maximizing Value
If you (or your team) are considering applying to the Luxury Innovation Awards, here are some practical tips:
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Pick the right category
Don’t stretch your innovation across too many categories; select the one where your idea has the strongest differentiation. -
Show real traction or validation
Judges like to see evidence: pilot users, partnerships, sales, proof-of-concept, user feedback, metrics — not just a speculative idea. -
Tell a compelling story
Use narrative: define the problem, why current solutions don’t work, how your innovation addresses it, and what its impact or vision is for the luxury sector. -
Focus on scalability / business model
Luxury is niche, but your innovation should show potential to scale, replicate, or integrate into different use cases. -
Emphasize sustainability / ethics
Because consumers and regulators are pushing for responsible practices, innovations that integrate circularity, ethical sourcing, or environmental responsibility tend to stand out. -
Prepare a polished pitch
The live presentation is critical — visuals, clarity, brevity, storytelling, handling Q&A — rehearse thoroughly. -
Network before, during, after
Use all opportunities (Summit panels, networking breaks, social media) to connect with potential partners, collaborators, or customers. -
Leverage the accolade
Whether finalist or winner, announce it widely: media, social media, investor decks, website. Use it to approach collaborators or clients. -
Plan for follow-up
Going in only for the award is limiting; have a plan for what you’ll do with the momentum afterward (e.g. product development, partnerships, funding rounds). -
Study past winners / finalists
Get inspiration; examine what types of innovations were awarded. That helps refine your positioning and pitch.
