Forbes names SILK THE RICH CEO Kodai Takahashi to 30 Under 30 Asia 2026

By AI, Created 7:21 AM UTC, May 28, 2026, /AGP/ – Forbes selected SILK THE RICH USA Co-Founder and CEO Kodai Takahashi for its 30 Under 30 Asia Class of 2026 in Retail & Ecommerce. The recognition spotlights the Los Angeles-based founder’s push to scale a Japanese silk-based haircare brand into 189 countries and deepen its U.S. expansion.

Why it matters: - Forbes recognition can sharpen attention on SILK THE RICH USA as the brand pushes deeper into the U.S. and global haircare markets. - Takahashi’s inclusion underscores the commercial pull of a heritage-based brand that is trying to turn Japanese silk technology into a modern consumer product. - The company is targeting a late-2026 Series B round, which could help fund the next phase of expansion.

What happened: - Forbes named Kodai Takahashi, co-founder and CEO of SILK THE RICH USA, to the 30 Under 30 Asia Class of 2026 in Retail & Ecommerce. - The selection came from thousands of nominations reviewed by a panel of judges. - Takahashi is 27. - SILK THE RICH USA is building from Los Angeles.

The details: - SILK THE RICH is a premium haircare brand built around proprietary silk nanofiber technology. - The brand is tied to one of Japan’s storied silk producers and is positioned around Japan’s silk heritage. - The company says SILK THE RICH has posted 58,266% cumulative revenue growth over three years. - The brand held the No. 1 spot in haircare at Don Quijote for 10 consecutive months. - SILK THE RICH won the VOGUE Best Shampoo & Conditioner award. - The brand now reaches consumers in 189 countries and more than 10,000 stores worldwide. - In Japan, the brand reports a 91% repeat purchase rate. - The company’s U.S. rollout includes Japanese-American retail chains such as Tokyo Central and Nijiya Market. - SILK THE RICH is also building a presence on TikTok Shop and other social commerce platforms. - The company has a full U.S. market expansion underway from Los Angeles. - The brand’s website is More information.

Between the lines: - Forbes is signaling that retail and ecommerce investors are paying attention to founders turning cultural heritage into scalable consumer brands. - SILK THE RICH is pairing a premium beauty pitch with a story about reviving Japan’s silk legacy. - The global expansion numbers suggest the brand is already using international distribution as part of its identity, not just as a future goal.

What’s next: - SILK THE RICH plans to keep expanding in the U.S. through retail and social commerce. - The company is aiming for a Series B fundraising round in late 2026. - Takahashi says the broader mission is to bring silk and other Japanese heritage products to a global stage.

The bottom line: - Forbes is putting a young founder and a heritage-driven haircare brand on a bigger global map at a moment when SILK THE RICH is trying to turn momentum into U.S. scale.