Sequoia Capital’s former Asian arms are investing in a little-known startup that hunts and helps take down unauthorized sales listings of AI chips, drugs, games and luxury products.
Marq Vision
Los Angeles-based Marq Vision Inc. raised $48 million in a Series B round led by Peak XV Partners, formerly Sequoia’s India and Southeast Asia business, with participation from HSG, formerly Sequoia China. Salesforce Ventures and Tokyo-based Coral Capital Inc. also participated alongside existing investors Y Combinator, Altos Ventures Management Inc. and Atinum Investment Co., lifting the total amount raised for the company to $90 million, according to a statement.
The five-year-old startup, which counts some LVMHMoet HennessyLouis Vuitton SE brands among its customers, is opening an office in Tokyo to meet growing calls in the world’s anime and creative industry mecca to combat a surge in copycats with the advent of generative AI.
“It’s kind of AI against AI,” said founder Mark Lee, who declined to comment on the company’s valuation. AI gives the startup the ability to tackle counterfeits at scale, but the same technology is also available to scammers and pirates, helping to contribute to an estimated $3 trillion illicit economy, he said. “The magnitude of the problem has also increased.”
Last year, the startup’s AI tools flagged about 50 million potential intellectual property violations, including impersonations across some 1,500 e-commerce and social media sites. It helped get about 99% of those taken down, Lee said.
Marq Vision’s staff in Shanghai and Seoul have worked with Asian companies to address the high volume of counterfeits manufactured in the region, Lee said. It’s also increasingly working with animation studios, fashion brands and other creators in Asia, as the region grows into an IP powerhouse of its own, he said.
“Japan and Korea are our strong suit, and we want to expand here more quickly,” he said.
Lingerie brand Triumph is accelerating its commitment to product transparency with the wider-scale rollout of its Digital Product Passport (DPP).
Triumph
Following its pilot launch last year, Triumph is continuing to expand the initiative with 20% of its European product assortment now featuring a DPP, with plans to extend this further across additional collections in the coming years.
Highlighting detailed information on sourcing, fabrics, supply chain, certifications and factory partners, the DPP offers customers a transparent view into the production of each garment.
Customers can follow an integrated link to explore the full journey of their chosen product, from fabric specifications to the factories where each component is produced.
Vera Galarza, Triumph’s Global head of Sustainability, said: “A bra is a complex product. From different lace colours sourced across multiple countries to the intricate design elements, every component requires thoughtful consideration. The Digital Product Passport empowers consumers to understand the full journey behind their purchase. We continue to find new ways to increase awareness of product provenance, and the expansion of this programme is a crucial step toward responsible and transparent practices across our supply chain.
“This continued expansion aligns with Triumph’s longstanding values: creating high-quality products that stand against fashion-fashion culture. By equipping customers with greater information and visibility, Triumph encourages more mindful consumption and strengthens the emotional connection consumers have with their lingerie.”
The ever-growing premium fashion brand Me+Em has opened its first boutique in Yorkshire, choosing Harrogate’s town centre Prospect Crescent for the new 1,300 sq ft space housed in a Grade II–listed former bank.
Me+Em
In keeping with the “global Me+Em design”, the Harrogate store features traditional English furniture mixed with modern design elements such as neutral-toned soft furnishings in fabrics by London-based designer Rose Uniacke.
The colour scheme for the “immersive space” is based on a rich forest green, a nod to the nearby Yorkshire Dales.
Large-scale haberdashery fixtures are used to showcase accessories and wardrobe staples, while bespoke bronze rails display curated product edits from the seasonal monthly collections.
Founded in 2009 by Clare Hornby, Me+Em’s ethos is that women “shouldn’t have to choose between quality and cost” while based on ‘intelligent style’ with a focus on “ensuring pieces are both flattering and functional, with a wear-forever appeal”.
The move into Yorkshire marks the latest chapter in Me+Em’s expansion, with the Harrogate store joining seven boutiques in London, including Marylebone High Street, King’s Road, Chelsea, Brook Street, Mayfair, Elizabeth Street Belgravia and at Battersea Power Station, plus stores in Manchester, Edinburgh. It’s the first UK store not in a major city. Internationally, the brand has two New York stores, plus Dallas Greenwich, Connecticut, and a soon-to-be-added Beverly Hills, California debut.
Lastest results filed last January showed the business to be progressing strongly. Group revenue increased by 24% to £147.9 million, driven by the success of its international business where revenues increased 50%. Gross profit was up 24% to £82.3 million with an improvement in margin to 56% from 55%.
Copenhagen-based fashion house Ganni has announced the appointment of three executives to key roles: Marcelo Noschese as president, Americas; Marie Valot as director of communications and public relations; and Guillaume Dacquet as director of marketing and image. All three will report directly to Ganni’s chief executive, Laura du Rusquec, and will work closely with the Executive Committee.
Marie Valot, Director of Communications and Public Relations, and Guillaume Dacquet, Director of Marketing and Image. – DR
Based in New York, Marcelo Noschese will be responsible for Ganni’s retail, wholesale, and e-commerce operations across the Americas. He has held senior leadership roles at houses including Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Ferragamo. Prior to joining Ganni, he was CEO of Prada Americas, overseeing operations in the US, Canada, and Latin America.
Marie Valot joins Ganni as director of communications and public relations. She has more than 15 years’ experience in brand communications, VIP and influencer strategies, and international partnerships. She previously led international communications for Balmain, Nina Ricci, and KCD Paris, where she spearheaded global campaigns, media strategies, and cross-functional projects.
Guillaume Dacquet has been appointed director of marketing and image. He joins Ganni from Estée Lauder Companies, where he worked on international rebranding initiatives and long-term communications platforms. He has also held roles within LVMH Beauty, notably for the Dior, Guerlain, Givenchy, Fresh, and Stella McCartney brands, in positions spanning strategic planning, consumer research, and innovation.
These three appointments form part of efforts to strengthen Ganni’s global organisation. According to Laura du Rusquec, the company’s chief executive, these hires are intended to support the implementation of the company’s long-term global vision.
Founded in Copenhagen in 2000, Ganni is a contemporary fashion house stocked by numerous international retailers and operating boutiques in Europe, the US, and Asia. A certified B Corp, the company publishes an annual responsibility report and develops initiatives focused on innovation, notably through its ‘Fabrics of the Future’ programme and projects related to the circular economy. L Catterton acquired a majority stake in the company in 2017.
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