Showcase your next-gen Beauty Tech solutions for a chance to collaborate with L'Oréal and revolutionize the way beauty moves the world.
CREATE THE BEAUTY THAT MOVES THE WORLD
The Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program is L’Oréal SAPMENA’s inaugural open innovation venture, featuring a startup competition and pilot stage. Spanning countries across South Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and North Africa (SAPMENA), it aims to identify innovative startups that can help propel L’Oréal’s Beauty Tech ambition by co-creating solutions for the future.
OUR PARTNERS
TIMELINE
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Open for Submissions
May
Identify a challenge your startup can solve and apply
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Application Deadline
July
Applications close 13 July, and the shortlisting process begins over the next 3-5 weeks
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Shortlisting Applications
August
L’Oréal will select top 20 startups for regional semi-finals (India & SEA)
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India
Semi-FinalSeptember 11
10 startups are shortlisted for the India regional semi-finals, and top participants will be chosen advance to Grand Finale
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Southeast Asia
Semi-FinalSeptember 30
10 startups are shortlisted for the Southeast Asian regional semi-finals, and top participants will be chosen advance to Grand Finale
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Grand
FinaleOctober 23
Up to 10 Grand Finalists in total across the SAPMENA region will pitch at the Grand Finale in Singapore
Applications and shortlisting for the Middle East (Gulf Cooperation Council) regional semi-finals have already been completed.
APPLICATION PROCESS
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1
APPLICATION
CALLING ALL STARTUPS!
Submit your application online with all necessary and supporting documents.
At the form, you should first select the region that your business is incorporated in, or mainly operating out of – you can choose between India, or Southeast Asia.
Please refer to our FAQ and T&Cs for more information on the application process.
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2
SEMI-FINALS
After the submission deadline, all applications will be reviewed by a panel of evaluators and experts.
Once evaluated, 10 & 9 startups will be shortlisted* to pitch at the regional semi-finals happening virtually for India and Southeast Asia respectively.
*Shortlisted startups will be notified 3-5 weeks ahead of the respective regional semi-finals.
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3
GRAND FINALE
Up to 10 startup finalists from the respective regional semi-finals (the GCC, India, and Southeast Asia) each will be advanced as finalists entering the Grand Finale, happening in Singapore* – home of L’Oréal SAPMENA
Please refer to T&Cs
Leading the change in Beauty Tech
The challenge will focus on these 5 key themes:
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOUR STARTUP?
Trip to Singapore, home of L’Oréal SAPMENA (T&Cs apply) and inside tour of L’Oréal SAPMENA’s brands, functions, and facilities
L'Oréal-funded co-pilot opportunity with L'Oréal SAPMENA markets and brands
Access to the network and resources of the world's biggest beauty company
Personalized mentorship with key L'Oréal experts, leaders, and partners
SELECTION CRITERIA
Innovation
We are looking for novel yet proven solutions that are technology-driven and are backed by an existing customer base.
Scalability
We want businesses with a stable and scalable model that can bring immense growth opportunities across our wide array of brands and markets.
Sustainability
We want startups with a sustainable mindset and ideally, sustainable practices in place.
Impact on L'Oréal
We are looking for effective solutions that solve important problems for L'Oréal in significant ways.
FAQS
Is there an application fee or participation fee?
No, there is no application fee or participation fee.
What are the eligibility criteria?
Although L’Oréal SAPMENA seeks early to mid-stage start-ups that fit the challenge themes, the Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program encourages applications from companies at all stages of fundraising. Preference during the shortlisting process will be given to companies with transformative potential that will benefit the most from the Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program curriculum and strategic partner mentorship. Startups of any size and stage are welcome to apply if they fit the needs and criteria that L’Oréal SAPMENA are looking for. You can see the criteria here We are looking forward to leveraging advanced technology across the industry to help the development of Beauty Tech. If your technology is mature and you have already thought and considered the value that the beauty industry can bring, L’Oréal is experienced to accelerate the transformation of cross-industry technology; if not, we can explore together based on the platform L’Oréal provides.
What should I include in my pitch deck?
Your application will capture necessary details about your startup and the submission proposal will outline the challenge statement/s you are responding to, your proposal for L’Oréal as well as relevant examples and use cases. Make sure that your application and pitch deck answer all the selection criteria. You are required to submit a 2-minute video. The final pitch deck that you use for this application and the one you can use at the semi-final or final events may be different.
Here are the points we recommend including in your deck: 1. Problem / Unmet Need 2. Market Information 3. Your Solution / Technology Overview: include product photo or rendering and expected Beauty Tech outcomes 4. Competitive Advantage / Differentiation 5. Validation 6. Value Proposition / Beauty Tech Economics 7. Business model, Reimbursement Strategy (if applicable) 8. IP Status: include broadest claims sought 9. Key Milestones / Timeline for go-to-market: include funding required to achieve each milestone point 10. Summary, including Value Proposition 11. Team: photos with logos below from companies they have worked for previously 12. Advisors / Partners: photos with logos below from companies they work for currently
Where is this program held?
The regional semi-finals are held online for the Gulf Cooperation Council region, India region, and Southeast Asia region. The grand finale is an in-person event held in Singapore in October 2024. More details on the location of the event are available on the full timeline here
When is the deadline to apply?
You must have your application submitted by Saturday 13 July 2024, 11:59PM Singapore Time (GMT+8).
Who judges the submissions?
The judges will be a range of L’Oréal brand, business and domain experts across the problem statement themes and relevant technologies.
What kind of assistance is provided to help prepare for the Semi-Final or Grand Finale?
All semi-finalists and finalists will have the opportunity to attend a pitch training and preparation session, including one-to-one coaching.
Is the information shared kept confidential?
The personnel and experts involved in the organization and evaluation of the competition are committed to treating all matters confidentially. For more information, please check the T&Cs .