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In the fashion industry, 92 million tons of textile waste are produced every year. For Bethany Meuleners, Apparel and Textile Design &amp; Development Lead at Variloom, this isn't just a problem to be managed—it’s an industry ripe for reinvention.In a recent interview with&nbsp;Sourcing Journal, Bethany shared how Variloom, a Moon Creative Lab venture, is utilizing 3D printing and biobased materials to unlock a faster, cleaner, and more responsive future for fashion.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img style="aspect-ratio:4234/6351;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Variloom0069_3_5e38852ea8.jpeg" alt="Variloom0069 3.jpeg" width="4234" height="6351"></figure><h3>Innovation Beyond the Label</h3>One of the biggest misconceptions in the industry is that a "sustainable material" label makes a product responsible. “In reality, true sustainability goes far beyond the material itself. It begins at the design stage, by considering durability, understanding consumer needs so the product is genuinely valued and used, and making intentional choices about where and how it is produced. It continues throughout the supply chain, from manufacturing and distribution to how the product reaches the consumer, and ultimately, how it is handled at the end of its life,” Bethany explains.&nbsp;Variloom’s approach centers on an on-demand 3D printing system. By producing customizable soft goods on-demand and on-site, brands can design and manufacture fabrics in days rather than months, and with a lot less waste. Reducing the need for inventory and bringing manufacturing closer to the consumer, Variloom’s process minimizes reliance on offshore manufacturing.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:6720/4480;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Variloom0063_2_1_5a0fb8a82a.jpg" alt="Variloom0063 2 (1).jpg" width="6720" height="4480"></figure><h3>Closing the Loop</h3>In addition to its printing system, another facet of Variloom is its patent-pending soft, recyclable material. Developed using biobased thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and a proprietary blend of responsibly sourced natural additives and fibers, the material offers the stretch and performance consumers expect, but in a more sustainable, circular way. At a product’s end-of-life, the material can be recycled up to three times without losing its integrity.<blockquote>“A large share of waste happens on the consumer side.”&nbsp;</blockquote>“A large share of waste happens on the consumer side, often because people do not know what to do with a product at the end of its life. There is an opportunity to design products and create systems that make end-of-life solutions approachable and accessible for consumers.”&nbsp;<h3>A Personal Commitment to Purpose</h3>For Bethany, the philosophy of sustainability extends beyond the lab. Her own personal approach to clothing involves buying less, choosing quality staples, and caring for her clothing.&nbsp;“I have a very loved denim shirt that after several years, has now become my all-purpose yard work, crafting, and anything-messy shirt,” she shares. "How you care for your clothing is just as important to sustainability as what you purchase.”&nbsp;<blockquote>“Sustainability doesn’t have to come at the expense of&nbsp;great design.”</blockquote><h3>The Path Forward</h3>While sustainability is the core of Variloom’s mission, that doesn’t mean design comes secondary. As Bethany mentioned, it is all intertwined from the very beginning. From its 3D printing system to the patented soft material to a product’s end-of-life, Variloom has created a fully circular way of manufacturing textiles, all while keeping great fashion design at the forefront. “Sustainability doesn’t have to come at the expense of great design. With the flexibility of the Variloom technology, we aim to expand the possibilities for bespoke design while giving both designers and customers more freedom and customization. For us, sustainability and good design go hand in hand.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Make sure to follow&nbsp;<a href="https://www.variloom.com/">Variloom</a> to stay updated on the latest developments and news.&nbsp;

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<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:4032/3024;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Sustainability_3a4ebc9253.jpg" alt="Sustainability.jpg" width="4032" height="3024"></figure>Fashion is cyclical. What’s old becomes new again. Remember when everyone had a custom-made suit or a tailored dress? That made-to-order garment didn’t just fit better, it had higher value, lasted longer, and held meaning—quite the opposite of fast fashion that has too long plagued the fashion industry. Soon, that era of premium, enduring design will be making a comeback. Only this time, it will not only be driven by fashion or trend, but by technology aligned with circular economy principles.&nbsp;<h3>The Scale of the Problem and the Opportunity</h3>Global fiber production hit 124 million tons in 2023, translating into roughly 100 billion garments a year. Yet, fast fashion has hollowed out use;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/fashion-and-the-circular-economy-deep-dive">studies</a> show clothing use has fallen nearly 40%, while production has doubled over the last 15 years.Less than 1% of textiles make it back into new fibers, driving what the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/">Ellen MacArthur Foundation</a> calls a $500 billion lost value annually due to underuse and poor recyclability. Meanwhile, cutting-room waste eats up 10-15% of fabric before a garment even exists. That’s both a problem and an opportunity for innovators to rethink the system.&nbsp;<h3>Variloom’s Twist on a Classic: Tailored Meets Tech</h3>Enter Variloom, which is working to resurrect that bespoke spirit—tailored perfection that is 3D-printed to shape, customizing each product for design, fit, function, and future reuse.Variloom created a patent-pending filament and designed a 3D-printing system for soft goods. From bio-based plastics to textile and agro waste, Variloom owns the stack: formulation → material production → print. Reduced cutting waste, elimination of bulk greige textiles, reduced or no production MOQ, or huge merchandise inventory. They can embed trims directly into the structure, creating mono-material garments designed for easy recycling.This isn’t just theory. It’s a rebalance: bringing manufacturing back into closer proximity to customers, treating every garment as a valuable, long-lived piece, and not just a disposable trend.&nbsp;<h3>Weaving Voices Into the Narrative</h3>Moon’s discussion panel on sustainability brought this vision into sharper focus, where industry experts from Earthletica, Koobz, Rip Curl, Variloom, and YKK shared their journeys in sustainable fashion.&nbsp;<h4>Circularity Begins Long Before Manufacturing</h4>The panel emphasized that sustainable product lifecycles have to be designed starting from the materials stage, and it is not a matter of trying to retrofit them later.Rip Curl and Earthletica both shared how upstream decisions like fiber selection, trims, construction, and even end-of-life disassembly have become central to their creative processes. Earthletica’s success with YKK’s new Aerie® String zipper (a no-tape, recycled fastener) demonstrated that functionality and circularity can co-exist and improve product performance simultaneously.&nbsp;<h4>The Biggest Sustainability Problem? Overproduction</h4>It is noted that forecast-driven manufacturing leads to at least some percentage of apparel never being sold. And it ultimately ends up being destroyed or in landfills.While on-demand and made-to-order models are promising, major brands still remain tied to legacy inventory systems. This gap between technological capability and operational readiness remains one of the sector’s toughest bottlenecks. Made-to-order production by brands like Koobz can help to avoid supply-chain bottlenecks while actively reducing waste and ensuring fewer garments end up in landfills.&nbsp;<h4>Technology Is Reshaping the Supply Chain</h4>From AI-driven forecasting to digital twins, electrified dye processes, and 3D-printed apparel components, technology emerged as a key enabler of a lower-carbon future.The Variloom team discussed how additive manufacturing enables monomaterial garments, making disassembly and recycling far easier. And other panelists also highlighted the promise of 3D digital sampling. AI may be able to assist with trend forecasting and virtual product testing that can offer new ways to prevent overproduction and gather early consumer feedback before manufacturing begins.&nbsp;<h4>Fast Fashion’s Impact Is Worse Than Planned Obsolescence</h4>Panelists emphasized that apparel’s issue is not intentionally short product lifespans (as seen in tech), but it is also because of ultra-short garment use cycles by consumers, and a shockingly low wear countsIn contrast, heritage brands like Rip Curl maintain 60–70% evergreen product lines, prioritizing durability over rapid turnover.&nbsp;<h4>Everyone Has a Role, Not Just Designers</h4>While designers shape desirability and material choices, true sustainability requires participation throughout the ecosystem.From ensuring ethical material sourcing, VC-funding priorities, to consumer behavior, the panel emphasized shared accountability from all stakeholders.The panel underscored an encouraging truth: the tools, technologies, and ideas needed for a circular future already exist. What’s required now is alignment—across designers, brands, suppliers, regulators, and consumers—to scale those solutions responsibly.Sustainability isn’t a trend. It’s the blueprint for the industry’s survival—and its greatest opportunity for reinvention.What emerged from the conversation is that circularity cannot be bolted onto business-as-usual, and it has to be embedded earlier at the design stage. If it can be printed to shape, produce only what is needed, and bring supply chains closer to the consumer, waste would stop being inevitable. Policies like the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20250905IPR30172/parliament-adopts-new-eu-rules-to-reduce-textile-and-food-waste">EU’s mandate for separate textile collection</a> are pushing the industry forward, but real change will come from how we choose to design, produce, and consume.&nbsp;<h4>Circularity and Tailor-Made Trends: A Perfect Match</h4>Here’s where fashion’s repetitiveness becomes powerful. Bespoke isn’t just about luxury; it is about choosing quality, longevity, and fit. It is a mindset shift from mass-produced leftovers to made-for-you pieces. When matched with zero-waste design and circular streams, like what Variloom is doing, bespoke becomes a tool against landfills and overproduction.Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s model of the circular fashion economy urges this shift: design for reuse, materials that can be remade again, and business models that extend garment life through longevity, repair, or recycling. Making garments to last, whether they are printed on demand or custom-tailored, is rediscovering that value mindset of past generations.We’ve come full circle, fashion is returning to what it always was: personal, handcrafted, meaningful. Now it’s faster, cleaner, smarter. Bespoke is back, but with fabrics that can loop back, tech that makes it feasible, and circular systems that make it sustainable.The future of fashion is not fast, linear, or disposable. It is slow where it matters, smart where it counts, and circular by design. At Variloom, the vision is simple: fewer boxes in warehouses, fewer off-cuts on factory floors, and fewer garments destined for landfills. By pairing material innovation with localized, on-demand production, they can create products that delight customers while honoring the planet.&nbsp;We stand at an intersection where custom meets consciousness, where trends repeat, but this time, with purpose. Let’s walk through that front door of design, fully aware that better fashion means fewer boxes in the warehouse, fewer gowns in the trash, and more soul in what we wear.

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<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:3200/1800;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Vansure_blog_64501603be.png" alt="Vansure blog.png" width="3200" height="1800"></figure>At the heart of every thriving business lies one defining truth: great companies aren’t just built — they’re shaped, nurtured, and evolved over time. For founders, that journey demands more than a compelling idea; it requires vision, discipline, and the ability to adapt through every phase of growth.That belief inspired Vensure Employer Solutions and Moon Creative Lab to launch a three-part series for founders: a guided exploration through the stages of building, scaling, and sustaining a startup. Each event brought together experts, advisors, and innovators to share hard-earned lessons and forward-looking insights to help founders grow and scale.&nbsp;The first event of the series was&nbsp;The Founder’s Guide to HR: Fundamentals for Startups, where a panel of seasoned advisors emphasized that early-stage HR decisions shape far more than operations — they shape culture, accountability, and ultimately, the trajectory of the company. The foundation of every scalable startup is built on people, and the structures that empower them.From hiring and onboarding to compliance and company identity, the panel offered insight into how founders can establish the systems that allow creativity and performance to thrive in tandem. The discussion underscored a truth often overlooked in the rush of early growth: that HR is not a burden, but a strategic advantage.Once the foundation is set, founders face a new challenge: growth. The second event in the series,&nbsp;Scaling Up: Navigating Your Startup's Next Chapter,&nbsp;was&nbsp;designed for ventures with 10-20 employees and explored what it means to take a company from early traction to scalable growth, all without losing focus or culture.Discussing strategic funding, organizational readiness, and financial foresight, the panel offered unfiltered perspectives on both the opportunities and pitfalls that accompany scaling a business. Discussions around equity, timing, and investor expectations revealed that growth is not a sprint, but a carefully orchestrated evolution.As indicated by the panel’s discussion, scaling successfully requires more than momentum — alignment between vision, structure, and leadership are all key to a venture’s successful growth.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:3200/1800;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Frame_2_f3ce1cc2b6.png" alt="Frame 2.png" width="3200" height="1800"></figure>Built To Last: How Startups Achieve Longevity&nbsp;was the final event, centered on what it takes to create something that endures — a business that doesn’t just grow, but creates a lasting legacy.A panel of founders and investors shared their experiences and advice for building resilient business models and scalable infrastructure, and evolving leadership to meet the demands of growth. They explored how to maintain financial discipline, sustain culture, and plan strategically for exits.The discussion made clear that longevity doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of prioritizing adaptability and long-term impact over short-term gains. The most enduring startups are those that evolve and deepen their purpose rather than grow further from it.&nbsp;A powerful throughline emerged across these three events: building a business is not just about scale, but about sustainability. It’s about knowing when to grow, how to adapt, and what to protect as you move forward.As founders continue navigating this ever-changing landscape, one thing remains constant — success begins with a strong foundation that grows through intentional scaling, and endures through a commitment to purpose and people.Moon’s mission is to&nbsp;help build companies that are not only successful, but sustainable and globally impactful.<a href="https://share.hsforms.com/1OHQANbcgR9q4ky5Q4M6wMQcxaid">Stay connected</a> for future events and resources from Moon, designed to empower founders with the tools, community, and insights to turn innovative ideas into lasting companies.

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A huge congratulations goes to Variloom, a Moon Creative Lab venture, for being named an honoree in the <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/innovation-by-design/list">Fast Company 2025 Innovation by Design Awards</a>! <a href="https://www.variloom.com/">Variloom</a> is helping the fashion industry reduce production waste, minimize excess inventory, and reliance on offshore manufacturing through the creation of its first two innovations: 3D printing and a recyclable, customizable material.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1600/900;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Variloom_Fast_Co_thumb_2455f19f46.png" alt="Variloom Fast Co thumb.png" width="1600" height="900"><figcaption>Variloom's patent-pending recyclable filament used to create custom 3D-printed garments.</figcaption></figure>Now in its 14th year, the Innovation by Design Awards celebrate the designers and businesses addressing today’s most urgent challenges while anticipating the problems of tomorrow. The program is one of the most prestigious design competitions in the industry, spotlighting work that exemplifies originality, beauty, sustainability, user insight, cultural significance, and measurable business impact. Honorees, which include nearly 300 projects, products, and services from The New York Times, Jones Knowles Ritchie, Adobe, and others, were selected by a panel of leading designers, business executives from leading organizations, and Fast Company editors.&nbsp; Variloom’s on-demand and on-site 3D print-to-shape fabrication system for how soft goods and apparel are made, gives brands and suppliers the ability to design and produce customizable, recyclable fabrics in days instead of months, all while bringing the manufacturing closer to the consumer. The system is capable of printing across a range of sizes from small components to large-format fabrics, enabling bespoke creations and custom-designed details for everything from shirts and pants to handbags and shoes, all while integrating seamlessly into existing supply chains. &nbsp; “When Moon Creative Lab was first founded by Mitsui &amp; Co., it was meant to create big and bold businesses that would have an exponential impact on the world,” said Mary Ann Gallo, Chief Growth Officer, Moon Creative Lab. “Variloom is a venture that is doing just that. WIth its patent-pending soft material and 3D printing system, Variloom is helping brands reduce waste, shorten lead times, and remove the need for large inventory positions, while also supporting sustainable, customizable production closer to the consumer.” Fast Company’s editor-in-chief Brendan Vaughan explains “The Innovation by Design Awards celebrate bold ideas and work that proves design is a true driver of business and societal progress. This year’s honorees show how creative thinking can unlock new markets, build stronger organizations, and deliver meaningful impact at scale.”&nbsp; Head <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/innovation-by-design/list">here</a> to see the complete list of winners and honorees, and read about the winners in the Fall issue of Fast Company magazine on newsstands September 23, 2025.&nbsp;If you'd like to receive the latest updates from Moon Creative Lab,&nbsp;please sign up to be a Moon Community Member <a href="https://share.hsforms.com/1OHQANbcgR9q4ky5Q4M6wMQcxaid ">here</a>. We'll send you invitations to speaker events featuring industry pioneers, panel discussions, new ventures, and more.&nbsp; &nbsp;

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Moon-launched venture, Carrium Inc., which provides the career strategy support tool "CareerForth," released its new feature "<a href="https://www.careerforth.me/designer">AI Career Designer</a>" on July 1, 2025. "CareerForth" was adopted in 2022 as a new business by Mitsui &amp; Co.'s venture studio, Moon Creative Lab, after an internal call for proposals within Mitsui &amp; Co. It began offering a beta version in 2023, and Carrium Inc. was established as the operating company in June 2024. In addition to its existing service, which quantifies and maps potential career paths for highly specialized young professionals, "<a href="https://www.careerforth.me/designer">AI Career Designer</a>" will allow individual users to more intuitively build their career strategies. This new feature aims to provide an environment where individuals can design data-driven, unbiased careers, supporting them in achieving a passionate professional life.&nbsp;<h3>Leveraging over 1 million data points to provide personalized career support service</h3><img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/a_image_a01_1_98b426ff51.png" alt="a_image_a01 (1).png">"<a href="https://www.careerforth.me/designer">AI Career Designer</a>" is a service that leverages over one million labor data points and AI technology held by Carrium to provide personalized career proposals. These proposals are based on the user's career values, including their work history, sources of motivation, and ideal communication methods. The service also includes specific job listings, allowing users to express their interest in a job with a one-stop application process.&nbsp;<h3>What are its main features?</h3>1.Career Design Based on Data&nbsp; Leveraging over one million labor data points accumulated by Carrium, <a href="https://www.careerforth.me/designer">AI Career Designer</a> advises optimal career plans based on the user's input work history and values. 2.Completed in Just 3 Minutes   Only three steps are required for input before a personalized career proposal is generated in approximately three minutes. 3.Presentation of Diverse&nbsp; Options In addition to conventional proposals based on your past career, you can also explore surprising alternative paths complete with concrete action plans. 4.Continuous Optimization   By providing feedback on the generated career proposal, you can discover an even more customized and personalized career path.&nbsp;<h3>Free to use, no need to register</h3><a href="https://www.careerforth.me/designer">AI Career Designer</a> is free for anyone to use, and no registration is required. Please feel free to give it a try! Your feedback is highly welcomed.Contact to Hiroyuki Narihara, founder of Carrium Inc. [📩]<a href="mailto:h.narihara@carrium.co.jp">h.narihara@carrium.co.jp</a><h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>More to read</h3>Interview to Hiroyuki Narihara, founder of Carrium Inc. <a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/stories/idea-careerforth">https://www.mooncreativelab.com/stories/idea-careerforth</a>The Future of Work: Embracing a Role-Playing Approach With AI <a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/ja/stories/rpg-work">https://www.mooncreativelab.com/ja/stories/rpg-work</a>

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<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/2024_EFMD_Case_Competition_Winners_blog_SM_6e70349da9.png" alt="2024-EFMD-Case_Competition-Winners-blogSM.png">When Moon Creative Lab was founded in 2018, its initial purpose was to create new business for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mitsui.com/us/en/index.html">Mitsui &amp; Co.</a>, blending the Silicon Valley’s innovative, “fail fast” startup culture with Japan’s discerning business acumen. Since then, Moon has been inspiring and encouraging innovative entrepreneurs and founders to unlock their creative potential and create businesses that will have significant impact on the world.&nbsp;A stark contrast to traditional Japanese corporate ideologies and “<a href="https://japan-dev.com/blog/japanese-trading-companies">Sōgō Shōshas</a>,” Moon has been somewhat of a beacon for not only Tokyo’s emerging startup ecosystem, but for budding future entrepreneurs and business students. The International Institute for Management Development (IMD) recently wrote a case study, “Moon Creative Lab: Mitsui’s Venture Studio,” which takes an in-depth look at Moon's founding as a bold new experiment to innovate within a global and traditionally successful corporation. We are proud to announce that the insightful case study has been named a winner in the&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.efmdglobal.org/2025/04/17/the-2024-case-writing-competition-winners/">2024 EFMD Case Writing Competition</a>, underscoring its excellence in capturing a compelling narrative of corporate innovation and transformation.Awarded in the “Continuous Improvement: the Journey to Excellence” category, the case study delves into the inception and early journey of Moon Creative Lab. Kaichi Yokoyama, Moon’s CEO, realized that organic innovation and the creative potential of Mitsui’s international workforce could lead to something new — and profitable. His vision for Moon was to be a global hub that nurtures creativity and new ventures, emphasizing the need to challenge and innovate in order to transform people, business, and culture in a rapidly evolving business landscape.&nbsp;The authors of the case study explore the challenges of driving innovation within a long-established, successful corporation, and how Moon continues to find the balance between developing radical new ideas and aligning with the expectations and structures of a massive parent company. The case study provides further insight into how Moon identifies and incubates new business ventures, develops entrepreneurial talent, and fosters a culture that values creativity, design thinking, and new ways of innovating.&nbsp;Such an environment is an anomaly itself, especially when residing within Mitsui &amp; Co. Moon’s efforts and philosophy offer a fresh perspective as every triumph, tribulation, and shared experience is seen as a learning opportunity for founders while they navigate their entrepreneurial journey."Moon Creative Lab: Mitsui’s Venture Studio" is an exemplary case study of insightful analysis and compelling storytelling, underlining the critical significance of embracing innovation and agility to keep up with an ever-evolving world – not only for entrepreneurs and founders, but for established corporations as well.&nbsp;Congratulations to IMD and the authors of this thoughtful and illuminating case study!

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This article shares the experience of a participant in the two-day Moon Open Workshops, where they brought a business idea to life. They share their concrete experiences and what they learned about overcoming the challenges of business development.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1980/1113;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/blog_Yu2_added2d969.jpg" alt="blog Yu2.jpg" width="1980" height="1113"><figcaption>Author: Yu Sun, who is currently with the Retail Infrastructure Business Division at Mitsui &amp; Co. After launching a retail joint venture in China and promoting domestic and international investment projects at various stages, she is now engaged in new business planning and promotion.</figcaption></figure>&nbsp;<h3>Introduction: What are Moon Open Workshops?</h3>Moon Open Workshops is a two-day workshop program held at the Moon Creative Lab Tokyo studio in Omotesando. It brings together members from the Mitsui &amp; Co. group, partner companies, and individual entrepreneurs to receive feedback from diverse perspectives and refine ideas into highly feasible business concepts.Participants design solutions to their own business challenges using a human-centered approach. Over the two days, they utilize various frameworks and tools to transform their ideas into concrete concepts.&nbsp;<h3>Why I Decided To Participate</h3>Having experienced 0-to-1 business development in an internal project at Mitsui, I had a strong desire to delve deeper into venture-style approaches, techniques, and mentality to expand my own business development toolkit. A personal issue I was facing also aligned with the participation criteria, which further encouraged me to join.Until then, my career had primarily focused on business investment and launching ventures in the consumer-related industry. However, most of this involved evaluating business value or replicating and scaling success based on established models.A turning point came during the year and a half I spent on an internal project creating a new business, which concluded in March 2025. It was a daily process of identifying issues, forming hypotheses, and experimenting repeatedly to find a way into the market. In the process of creating a new business where no one had gone before, past success patterns were useless. I keenly felt the importance of forging my own path. Rather than spending time perfecting a plan, it was crucial to first identify the ultimate goal—the problem to be solved—then formulate hypotheses and take numerous actions toward it, quickly discerning which paths were promising and which were not.This experience was a valuable opportunity for me to touch upon the venture-style approach—the "Fail fast, fail cheap" spirit—and to master the method of shaping a business through trial and error.In today's world, the ability to define a problem yourself and combine technology and resources to build a business to solve it is becoming increasingly essential. I feel that for large corporations rich in technology and management resources, this venture-style approach is truly adding strength to strength.I expected the Moon workshop to be a perfect opportunity for me to systematically organize the framework and mentality of this venture-style thinking and to re-examine my own experiences and understanding.&nbsp;<h3>Unforgettable Moments</h3><img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/blog_Yu3_fcb8e3258f.jpg" alt="blog Yu3.jpg">There were countless stimulating moments over the two days. What left a particularly strong impression was a role-playing exercise where I presented my idea to various people of different nationalities, professions, and backgrounds. In response, I heard:&nbsp;"I can really relate to that!""I would definitely want this service! If possible, maybe you could add this feature...""There's a similar service in the U.S. You should check this out."&nbsp;The empathetic feedback from participants, the words affirming the need for the service, and the concrete reference information—all of it was incredibly encouraging, making me feel that my idea might be more than just a whim and could be worth bringing to life.Of course, in the process of refining my ideas within a limited time, the mountain of things to research piled up, and I sometimes felt lost, not knowing where to start. But at those times, the Moon facilitators were there to consult with, asking great questions that served as shortcuts to refining my thoughts.Seeing the other participants, who were just as dedicated and immersed in their own challenges, also gave me the courage to push forward. A strange, strong sense of camaraderie bloomed with these peers who were struggling through the same process and approach but remained positive and determined.I've heard that the venture world has strong horizontal connections and a culture of mutual help. Through this workshop, I feel like I got a taste of that. It truly was two days of feeling that "There's a mountain of things to do, and my thoughts are still jumbled... but I'm definitely not alone. There's always someone watching over me, encouraging me, and supporting me."&nbsp;<h3>A New Step</h3><img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/blog_Yu4_e5b5162cec.jpg" alt="blog Yu4.jpg">My biggest takeaway is the attitude of "not fearing uncertainty and boldly challenging the problem in front of you."Even in this modern era where science and technology like medicine and AI are advancing daily, many people around us still live with frustrations and inconveniences. Many of these issues exist in an invisible form, neither visualized nor quantified. However, there are certainly earnest needs that can only be noticed by those who are directly affected or have deeply experienced these problems.People can suddenly face serious life challenges like a severe illness or caring for a parent. It's their first time, they don't know what to do, and they have to spend an enormous amount of time and effort gathering information through trial and error.I want to launch a service that organizes reliable information (explicit knowledge) and the voices of those with experience (tacit knowledge) and provides it in a way that anyone can easily access and compare, allowing them to quickly find the necessary solutions. By doing so, I aim for a future where people can recover no matter what life challenges they face. I hope to create a sort of shelter that accepts us when we are feeling down and helps us prepare to start over with renewed energy.From now on, using the small hints gained from my own experience, I want to contribute to social progress by visualizing and quantifying these often-overlooked issues and developing universal solutions. I now feel this strongly.&nbsp;<h3>To You Who Are Hesitating</h3>New challenges are always accompanied by uncertainty and anxiety. It's only natural to hesitate before taking the first step. If you are currently hesitating to try something new, try asking yourself this:"What do I lose by not taking a step?" versus "What do I lose if I take a step and fail?" Which is greater?By asking myself this, my vague anxieties often transform into concrete images, and the path forward becomes clear. If you feel that you would lose more new experiences and possibilities by not taking that step, your heart should naturally lean towards taking the step.<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/blog_Yu5_a9c2fb7b24.jpg" alt="blog Yu5.jpg">If you can't ignore the "I want to try this" feeling welling up from the bottom of your heart, then muster your courage and take that first step. You might find that a greater reward than you imagined awaits you. And as for what comes after that first step, leave it to your future self.I believe that the me of tomorrow will not betray the me of today. I trust that she will see it through. &nbsp;<hr>Join the Moon Open Workshops! &nbsp;Learn more about the <a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/openworkshops?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=post0617&amp;utm_id=blog-yu-sun-202506">program here</a>. &nbsp;2025 Schedule:<ul><li>Summer: 8/21 (Thu) – 22 (Fri)</li><li>Fall: 11/13 (Thu) – 14 (Fri)</li><li>Winter: 2/19 (Thu) – 20 (Fri)</li></ul><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://vimeo.com/1089982366"></oembed></figure>

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<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Rectangle_2199_0162ada77f.png" alt="Rectangle 2199.png">On April 25th, Moon Creative Lab Tokyo hosted “Singapore Innovation Night,” a dynamic community event designed to introduce university students to the startup ecosystem. The evening started with stories from established entrepreneurs and industry leaders, and highlighted the challenges and success of projects between Singapore and Japan.Held at the Spring Terrace Omotesando space, the event welcomed 50+ students, aspiring entrepreneurs, and professionals for community building and inspiring talks.&nbsp;Six distinguished speakers took the stage to share their unique experiences navigating the startup world through a cross-boarders perspective. Among them was Rachel Leng, COO and Co-founder of SeiRogai Inc., who discussed her path from private equity to founding a Tokyo-based startup in media and business consulting. Allan Teng, Founder and Senior Advisor of Workato APAC &amp; Japan, spoke about scaling enterprise software across international markets and emphasized the importance of cultural intelligence in business.Also featured were Dr. Wanping Aw, CEO of TokudAw Inc., whose consultancy provides Japanese destination management services to travelers and business, and Satoshi Yoshida, CEO of GORIL Inc., who combines linguistic science with data visualization to enhance global communication. Shunsuke Katoh, COO of Moon Creative Lab, and Yuki Obata of ISSHO, Inc., rounded out the lineup by offering insider views on fostering innovation within a global organization and building entrepreneurial mindsets.Supported by organizations including the Singapore Chamber of Commerce Japan and the Singapore Global Network, Singapore Innovation Night reinforced the collaborative energy between Japan and Singapore, and highlighted the role of creative hubs like Moon Creative Lab in nurturing the next wave of innovators.Be sure to follow us on <a href="https://peatix.com/group/11677385?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=Singaporeblog&amp;utm_id=Singaporeblog">Peatix</a> for more information on upcoming events.

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<img src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/image_12_e44739f7c4.png" alt="image (12).png">March 8 was International Women’s Day, a day for the world to celebrate women’s achievements. It’s also an opportunity to raise awareness about discrimination and bias, and accelerate action to create a gender-equal, inclusive, and equitable world free of discrimination and stereotypes.At Moon Creative Labs, we celebrated International Women’s Day during the entire month of March with different activities and discussions. Throughout these events, we focused on empowering women: how we can improve representation in leadership roles, tackle gender stereotypes, and better support women in innovation and entrepreneurship.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img style="aspect-ratio:6240/4160;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/IWD_1_bb49c8fc2f.png" alt="IWD 1.png" width="6240" height="4160"></figure>To kick off the month-long commemoration, Moon's Tokyo office hosted a workshop that used plastic building bricks, encouraging participants to ideate business innovations focusing on women's empowerment. The workshop was open to the public and encouraged anyone to attend regardless of gender. The 22 participants got into teams and built a physical prototype out of the toy bricks, named their new business, and shared their proposals with everyone. Business ideas ranged from women's healthcare apps to an exclusive community aiming to foster women's confidence in society. The workshop was a lot of fun, and we hope it encouraged participants to get creative and put their ideas into action to make them a reality!<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:512/341;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/IWD_lego_blog_photo_2_6e1bf9712d.png" alt="IWD lego blog photo 2.png" width="512" height="341"></figure><hr>We also held an internal discussion on what women’s empowerment meant to us, and to acknowledge the strong women in our lives. A panel of Moon leaders and team members led the discussion, sharing how women have made an impact on them and their careers. One speaker shared how he realized the power of empathy through working with female entrepreneurs. He witnessed how empathy — especially when approaching heavy topics and situations — along with passion and experience, made others feel seen. Even through small, seemingly trivial actions and details, showing that you truly understand customers and put their needs first can help strengthen your business and its impact. He also suggested that one key theme in creating a more gender-equal workplace — and society — is paying attention to how we each can help others. Being in a leadership position, he has the opportunity to identify others’ strengths and act as a “supportive sounding board.”&nbsp;&nbsp;<blockquote>With inflexible requirements and pressure to remain in a “traditional” role... the advancement of women is greatly hindered.&nbsp;</blockquote>Another leader on the discussion panel said she was pleased to see more female founders throughout the span of her career, particularly when it came to women-centered products and services. “Having a man ‘tell’ us how to solve a problem” in areas that affect and impact women, such as women’s health and wellness or childcare, doesn’t really make sense. When asked how women’s empowerment has changed throughout the years, she recalled often being the only female in a male-dominated corporate world. “I just wanted a seat at the table,” she said, acknowledging how thankful and happy she is to see more women in corporate leadership roles. And how can we continue to see more women in those roles? More flexibility, she said. The key to that is normalizing non-”traditional” home and parental roles. It needs to be more widely accepted that all parents, not just mothers, take responsibility for raising a family, which can be supported by reformed policies like parental leave. Another panelist mentioned that he makes sure to share responsibilities with his wife, remaining flexible to accommodate her needs and decisions. “I prioritize my family and take action to empower my wife and daughters. I ask questions and communicate, and support their decisions. Sharing those responsibilities and staying flexible in your roles as parents are core to empowering and supporting women.”Flexibility with work scheduling and requirements can also help bring more equity to career advancement. For example, leadership roles shouldn’t be heavily dependent on aspects like travel requirements — such demands can hinder women from advancing if it’s perceived that a mother can’t travel due to her assumed responsibility of raising children. With inflexible requirements and pressure to remain in a “traditional” role, like a mother staying home to raise children and not taking on a corporate career, the advancement of women is greatly hindered. Though much progress has been made, there are still significant hurdles in the way. One Moon leader said, “A lot has changed, but there’s a lot of political headwind that slows these things down,” which then led to a brief discussion about the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. “DEI helps the bottom line,” a panelist added.The discussion was insightful and it was great to hear our leaders’ and team mates’ perspectives on women’s empowerment. Hearing their personal stories and how they take action to empower women illustrates how crucial it is for everyone to play a part in advancing gender equality and equity.&nbsp;Key takeaways from the discussion<ul><li>The power of empathy:&nbsp;Making others feel seen and understood creates powerful connections. When we truly see others, we can better understand how we can be supportive.&nbsp;</li><li>Career advancement requires flexibility:&nbsp;To see more diversity in leadership roles, we need to&nbsp;normalize non-traditional gender roles and create equity through flexibility and policy reform.</li><li>Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is critical:&nbsp;Despite progress, gender equality and the advancement of women throughout their careers is still hindered by traditional expectations and political resistance, highlighting the importance of DEI initiatives.</li></ul><hr>Later in the month, Moon Creative Lab, in collaboration with Japanese Women’s Initiative in the Bay Area (JWIBA), hosted an inspiring panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities for women in innovation and entrepreneurship.&nbsp;Beyond Bias: Unleashing Women’s Potential brought together five accomplished women—founders, CEOs, and government consultants—who shared their personal journeys and the obstacles they’ve overcome in their careers.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:4032/3024;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Speaker_panel_2_7466483f5a.png" alt="Speaker panel 2.png" width="4032" height="3024"></figure>The conversation delved into the multifaceted experiences of women in the innovation sector, encompassing a broad spectrum of challenges and triumphs. The panelists candidly shared their personal journeys, highlighting common themes such as the delicate balancing act of raising a family while pursuing a demanding career, the geographical and emotional upheaval of relocation, the continual pursuit of knowledge and skills through education, the decision to pivot careers, the subtle and overt biases that persist in the workplace, and the frustrating experience of being underestimated due to gender.One panelist recounted her decision to leave a prestigious and well-compensated position at a renowned tech company to embark on the uncertain path of entrepreneurship. Her choice was met with skepticism from her family as they struggled to grasp her willingness to relinquish the stability and security of a corporate role. However, rather than succumbing to the doubts, she harnessed the skepticism as a catalyst for her ambition, channeling her energy into creating and building her own venture.The audience engagement was just as powerful. An attendee shared a particularly striking experience: while pitching her business to a male investor, she faced blatant microaggressions. When she stated how much funding she had raised, the investor questioned whether she meant the amount in yen rather than U.S. dollars—implying a condescending disbelief in her financial success.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:4032/3024;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Speaker_panel_1_7791d2b106.png" alt="Speaker panel 1.png" width="4032" height="3024"></figure>Some panelists shared valuable lessons and words of encouragement. One speaker recalled her mother’s advice: “Always be yourself. If you want to do something, do it—no matter what others say.” This sentiment resonated deeply, serving as a reminder that confidence and resilience are just as critical as business acumen when it comes to driving innovation.Panelists also recalled the support they received from others including many men who were mentors and sponsors for them in the workplace. And now, they look to extend that help to other women. “I’m at a point in my career where I think about legacy. What can I do to open the door for other women to walk through and give them the encouragement and support that I at times did not find for myself? What opportunities can I uncover for other women to reach beyond what they thought possible?” one panelist asked.&nbsp;&nbsp;Beyond Bias: Unleashing Women’s Potential wasn’t just a conversation; it was a call to action—a reminder that supporting and championing women in innovation leads to greater creativity, stronger businesses, and a more inclusive future.Key takeaways from the discussion<ul><li>Resilience is essential: Success often comes with setbacks, and overcoming doubt—whether from family, investors, or society—is part of the journey.</li><li>Bias still exists, but it shouldn’t define you:&nbsp;From microaggressions to deeply ingrained societal expectations, the barriers are real, but they are also surmountable.</li><li>Innovation requires authenticity: Staying true to your vision and values is crucial in entrepreneurship and leadership.</li><li>Community matters: Spaces like this event create networks of support, mentorship, and shared learning that help drive change.</li></ul>Though March was an opportunity to commemorate International Women’s Day and Month, we know that achieving gender equality and diminishing discrimination and bias requires continuous effort. We look forward to holding more events and activities like these where we can continue the dialogue on gender equality and equity, and build even stronger opportunities for women in leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation.&nbsp;

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Authors: Matt Phillips, Senior Engineer, and Hoan Pham, Senior Product Designer at Moon Creative Lab<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:25%;"><img style="aspect-ratio:1238/1032;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Screenshot_2025_03_26_at_11_46_45_AM_1b034ce669.webp" alt="Screenshot_2025-03-26_at_11.46.45_AM.webp" width="1238" height="1032"></figure>Matt Phillips, Senior Engineer&nbsp;For Matt, one of the best parts of his job is hearing new ideas daily. Pitches for products, ways technology can improve society — which he sometimes gets to help build as a full stack developer and opinionated teammate. He thinks “LLMs are the coolest thing I've seen in my career.”<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:25%;"><img style="aspect-ratio:1788/2064;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Hoan_profile_f457b0d8f5.png" alt="Hoan profile.png" width="1788" height="2064"></figure>Hoan Pham, Senior Product DesignerHoan helps entrepreneurs brainstorm, define, and strategize future iterations of their product. He specializes in communication design, AI conversation design, and designing for AI workflows.<hr><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img style="aspect-ratio:720/405;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/short_090b1ea96d.gif" alt="short.gif" width="720" height="405"></figure>Hoan Pham and Matt Phillips work with Stephy Deng, founder of Adofaer.Moon Creative Lab recently had the pleasure of crossing paths with Stephy Deng, the founder of Adofaer, an AI-powered creative studio that enables fans to bring their wildest imaginings to life. With Adofaer, anyone can design custom toys and produce them at any scale, from a single prototype to a mass production run. Fun fact: Adofaer created possibly the first toy created by an AI-driven design tool!Stephy joined our educational program in Tokyo before diving into a more intensive workshop at our Palo Alto studio, where we had the opportunity to support her as she honed both her product and business.&nbsp;Designing and manufacturing a toy has long been a daunting endeavor: expensive, sluggish, and riddled with bottlenecks. Working alongside Adofaer gave us a rare glimpse into the industry’s challenges, and showed us three patterns that reduce impedance along the founder’s path.<h3>Pattern One: Founder-Market&nbsp;Fit Provides Unique Insight</h3>Stephy understands toys at a molecular level. She grew up immersed in the industry, watching the intricate ballet between designers, factories, and customers — the painstaking process of refining concepts, the smell of fresh-molded plastic, the final brushstrokes of paint before a toy reaches the shelf.She is also, by her own admission, a workaholic. Independent in thought, relentless in execution, and deeply embedded in her craft, she possesses an insider’s fluency in a world that outsiders struggle to grasp. This combo of deep domain expertise paired with an ability to build is what encourages her to see opportunities invisible to others.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:384/512;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Adofaer_idea_board_566c8303ef.jpg" alt="Adofaer idea board.jpg" width="384" height="512"></figure><h3>Pattern Two: New Tech Unleashes Uncharted Creativity</h3>AI has iterated the approach. With today’s generative models, fans and hobbyists no longer need years of professional design experience to create something extraordinary.But deploying AI effectively is an art in itself. Because of Stephy’s profound knowledge of the toy industry, we were able to quickly identify which traditional processes were ripe for disruption — not with gimmicky, one-off AI solutions, but through an integrated, AI-driven pipeline.By sketching out ideas and testing workflows, we saw how multiple machine-learning techniques like diffusion models, mesh generation, and intelligent rendering could fuse into a single, seamless creative process. This interconnected approach is becoming a hallmark of the next wave of AI-powered design tools.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:512/384;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Adofaer_whiteboard_8a2701a762.jpg" alt="Adofaer whiteboard.jpg" width="512" height="384"></figure><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:512/384;" src="https://moon-website-prod-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Adofaer_whiteboard_2_69547101c4.jpg" alt="Adofaer whiteboard 2.jpg" width="512" height="384"></figure><h3>Pattern Three: A Global Mindset Builds Resilience</h3>Though based in Hong Kong, Stephy’s reach is planetary. Her ability to navigate multiple markets isn’t just an advantage — it’s a necessity.The most resilient entrepreneurs, we’ve found don’t just operate within a single ecosystem; they draw on knowledge, networks, and resources from across the world. Stephy, for example, merges her experience in Chinese manufacturing with an understanding of intellectual property law in Japan and the U.S., while cultivating partnerships in Europe and the Middle East.In an era where supply chains are volatile and digital platforms transcend borders, founders who can think globally — who can stitch together insights from disparate industries and regions — position themselves for success.<h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>Adofaer Is On The Move!</h3>We’re thrilled to see Adofaer expanding, including an&nbsp;<a href="https://global.creww.me/global/en/real-madrid-next-accelerator-for-asia">exciting partnership with Real Madrid</a>. Want to design your own custom toy? Follow Adofaer on&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/helloadofaer">X</a> and visit<a href="https://adofaer.com">&nbsp;Adofaer.com</a>.<h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>Join Moon’s In-Residence Program</h3>Are you a founder with a bold vision? Our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mooncreativelab.com/in-residence">Moon In-Residence</a> program, based in Palo Alto, is designed to help entrepreneurs like you turn ideas into reality. Let’s build the future, together.

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