Need to Know

UK – London technology start-up Kibu has announced the presale launch of its sustainable children's headphones. The innovative Kibu Headphones, created in collaboration with manufacturing specialist Batch.Works and product design consultancy Morrama, offer more than just audio – they symbolise a shift towards responsible consumption in the digital age.

Crafted from post-consumer waste through 3D printing, Kibu Headphones are designed for durability and easy repair. 'The Kibu Headphones allow kids, for the first time, to build, repair and recycle their own electronics,' said Sam Beaney, CEO at Kibu, in a press release. The headphones are priced at £49 ($61, €57) and the presale began in April 2024, with shipments commencing in July 2024.

What sets Kibu apart is its commitment to sustainability and safety. The Kibu Safety Engine ensures sound is capped at 85 dB, safeguarding children's hearing and free replacement parts are available in the case of accidental damage, promoting repair over replacement.

Daisy chaining capabilities enable shared listening experiences, promoting inclusivity and reducing the need for individual devices. 'Kibu proves to the new generation of responsible consumers that electronics don’t have to be disposable,' said Milo McLoughlin-Greening, co-founder of Batch.Works. 'We’re not asking kids to change how they interact with products – they love to pull, twist and take apart,' added Jo Barnard, founder and creative director of Morrama.

As explored in Alphas Now and Next: From the Sandbox to Roblox, sustainability is a must-have to reach this generation of kids who are climate change literate consumers. Kibu aims to continue to educate younger generations about sustainability without sacrificing product quality.

US – Amid soaring housing costs, a Redfin-commissioned survey released in March 2024 reveals a significant shift among young Americans towards either working a second job or seeking financial aid from family for down payments. The survey, conducted by Qualtrics and encompassing 3,000 US homeowners and renters, underscores the challenges Millennials and Gen Z face in today’s housing market.

More than a third (36%) of young prospective homebuyers anticipate receiving cash gifts from family to assist with down payments, while 16% plan to utilise inheritances and 13% intend to live with relatives. Notably, two in five Millennials and Gen Zers are working second jobs to accumulate funds.

Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather noted the growing advantage of ‘nepo-homebuyers’. He said: ‘Because housing costs have soared so much, many young adults with family money get help from mom and dad, even when they have jobs and earn a perfectly respectable income. The bigger problem is that young Americans who don’t have family money are often shut out of homeownership. Many of them earn a perfectly good income, too, but they aren’t able to afford a home because they’re at a generational disadvantage; they don’t have a pot of family money to dip into.’

For more insights on wealth ownership, distribution and the politics that influence cross-generational spending, see The Great Wealth Transfer macrotrend report.