L'Oréal intensifies startup focus and investment in beauty innovation across SAPMENA region

2025 Big Bang competition for Beauty Tech innovation adds new "Science for Beauty" theme, expands to Australia and New Zealand

SINGAPORE, Feb. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- L'Oréal has launched the 2025 Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program across the South Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa (SAPMENA) region, including Singapore. Startups will compete for the opportunity to work with L'Oréal in a commercial pilot with one of the Group's 37 international brands, tap into potential exposure in 35 markets across the SAPMENA region, and embark on a year-long mentorship program with senior executives from L'Oréal and the program partners.

The biggest Beauty Tech open innovation competition of this geographical scale, the competition expands this year to include Australia and New Zealand. Startups will address one of five challenge themes, including a new "Science for Beauty" theme introduced in 2025, alongside Consumer Experience, Content & Media, New Commerce and Tech for Good.

Vismay Sharma, President of L'Oréal SAPMENA Zone, said, "With its dynamic startup ecosystem and tech-savvy consumers, we're confident that the SAPMENA region has immense potential to be a driving force in beauty innovation. The Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program opens opportunities for us to discover, support and nurture the next generation of innovators in the beauty industry. By working with promising startups to co-create and co-develop beauty tech and science solutions, we can accelerate the pace of innovation and elevate the beauty experience for consumers in the SAPMENA region."

With its vibrant and fast-growing consumer base, SAPMENA – home to 40% of the world's population – presents massive opportunities for startups. Over 60% of the region's young, digitally native consumers shop online weekly and are driving the growth of the beauty sector. SAPMENA's startup ecosystem is also booming, with over 625,200 startups and more than 245 unicorns, making it one of the most dynamic markets for beauty innovation.

L'Oréal is dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation. Fast Company named L'Oréal in its Top 50 2024 Best Workplaces for Innovators list and winner of the Beauty and Fashion category, in recognition of its commitment to encourage and develop innovation at all levels.

About the Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program in SAPMENA

The biggest Beauty Tech open innovation competition of this geographical scale, the Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program seeks to discover, support and nurture promising startups from the South Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa region. The competition is open to startups from countries including United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and now Australia and New Zealand.

Startups will be given the opportunity to develop their pilots in Beauty Tech innovation in one of five challenge themes: Consumer Experience, Content & Media, New Commerce, Tech for Good and Science for Beauty. The regional semi-finals will culminate in a SAPMENA Grand Finale on 5 November 2025 where up to ten finalists will vie for the top spots. Judges will comprise senior executives from L'Oréal and the program partners.

The top three SAPMENA Grand Finale winners will win a L'Oréal-funded commercial pilot opportunity and a year-long mentorship program with senior executives from L'Oréal and the program partners. In 2024, program partners had included Accenture, Google and Meta.

Startups who prove successful pilots in SAPMENA could have the opportunity to work with L'Oréal globally. With L'Oréal SAPMENA as a launchpad, startups could tap into an extensive network of partners and market insights.

Key dates:

• Submission deadline: 30 May 2025
• Regional semi-finals (online): August/ September 2025
  • Middle East
  • India
  • Southeast Asia
  • Australia and New Zealand
• SAPMENA Grand Finale in Singapore (in-person): 5 November 2025

Startups passionate about creating the future of beauty with L'Oréal are encouraged to apply now on the competition website by the submission deadline of 30 May 2025.

About L'Oréal South Asia Pacific, Middle East, and North Africa (SAPMENA) Zone

Home to 3 billion people and 40% of the world's population, the South Asia Pacific, Middle East & North Africa (SAPMENA) Zone is a major growth engine for L'Oréal and a global talent hub. The SAPMENA Zone was formed in 2021 to drive focus on consumer needs and growth in many of the world's most populous, young and fast-growing economies. Across 13 entities and 35 markets spanning New Zealand to Morocco, the L'Oréal SAPMENA Zone is reinventing beauty experiences for our consumers through a portfolio of over 30 international brands and game-changing Beauty Tech innovations. Our business model is built on responsible and sustainable growth, with commitments which focus on three key areas – the planet, the people and our products.

About L'Oréal

For 115 years, L'Oréal, the world's leading beauty player, has devoted itself to one thing only: fulfilling the beauty aspirations of consumers around the world. Our purpose, to create the beauty that moves the world, defines our approach to beauty as essential, inclusive, ethical, generous and committed to social and environmental sustainability. With our broad portfolio of 37 international brands and ambitious sustainability commitments in our L'Oréal for the Future program, we offer each and every person around the world the best in terms of quality, efficacy, safety, sincerity and responsibility, while celebrating beauty in its infinite plurality.

With more than 90,000 committed employees, a balanced geographical footprint and sales across all distribution networks (ecommerce, mass market, department stores, pharmacies, perfumeries, hair salons, branded and travel retail), in 2024 the Group generated sales amounting to 43.48 billion euros. With 21 research centers across 13 countries around the world and a dedicated Research and Innovation team of over 4,000 scientists and 8,000 Digital talents, L'Oréal is focused on inventing the future of beauty and becoming a Beauty Tech powerhouse.

More information on https://www.loreal.com/en/mediaroom