With the L’Oréal Innovation Runway, startups can collaborate and create innovative and sustainable solutions for the urban future – Inventiva
According to the United Nations, 68 percent of people will live in cities by 2050, many in megacities with over 10 million residents. And Asia, being home to 54 percent of the world’s urban population, is slowly becoming home to a number of these megacities.
On one hand, mobility and urbanisation have brought together diverse cultures, influences and habits. On the other, this fast-paced lifestyle has also brought in stress that affects our health and overall wellness.
To set new benchmarks for the ‘urbanisers’ of the 21st century, global beauty giant L’Oréal is back with the third edition of the L’Oréal Innovation Runway. This is not just another beauty contest! L’Oréal is looking for solutions across technical and industrial verticals, to partner with startups and small enterprises in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, to further L’Oréal’s research and innovation to address the challenges of urban living.
Partner to create unique solutions for tomorrow’s urban dwellers
The challenge is being organised by L’Oréal in collaboration with NUS Enterprise – the entrepreneurial arm of the National University of Singapore (NUS), Startup SG, a leading startup hub in Singapore, Enterprise SG (formerly International Enterprise Singapore and SPRING Singapore) – the government agency championing enterprise development, and Get In The Ring – a global startup platform that connects founders to deals and global exposure. Last year, there was 25 percent participation from Indian startups, with three semi-finalists out of 11 being from India, and one of the two winners also from India.
“Winning the L’Oréal Innovation Runway award is a great validation of the String technology platform and long-term potential. We look forward to working together with L’Oréal to take sustainable products to market that will have a tremendous impact on everyday lives,” says Ezhil Subbian, CEO String Bio, winner of the L’Oréal Innovation Runway 2018 edition.
After two successful editions, this year, the organisers are looking for innovative solutions in three key challenge areas:
Who can apply?
L’Oréal is looking for mature startups that have already raised money > USD 500,000 (series A), technology startups with cutting-edge and disruptive technology for L’Oréal, and sustainability startups with sustainable tech and values.
You can participate if the industry you work in includes (but is not limited to) food, creative, agriculture, bio-medical, textile, manufacturing, cosmetics, engineering and film/photography. Or if you’re a startup with a unique technology in areas including (but are not limited to) smart material, data, biotechnology, 3D modelling, imaging, advanced materials, smart home, green technology and virtual, this is the perfect platform for you.
Apart from getting the opportunity to work with the world’s largest and highly innovative beauty brand, there are many other tangible benefits in store:
The future is urban. Let’s hear your solution for it!
Billions of people who live in urban areas have the collective power to change our environmental future, by developing the next generation of sustainable and safe beauty products.
This year, it could be you! Your submission should include:
Shortlisted startups will be announced by October 2019 and an exclusive startup mentoring session will be held for the semi-finalists by Get In The Ring and L’Oréal Tech Experts. The semi-finals will be held in Singapore on November 8, and the finals will be held on November 11, following which the winners will be announced at SFF x SWITCH.