L’Oréal Unveils Finalists for 2025 Beauty Tech Innovation Program

Innovative startups from the South Asia Pacific, Middle East, and North Africa (SAPMENA) region are gearing up for the Grand Finale of the L’Oréal 2025 SAPMENA Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program. This prestigious event will take place on November 7, 2025, in Singapore, where ten finalists will compete for a chance to secure a L’Oréal-funded commercial pilot opportunity and a year-long mentorship program.

Following an extensive evaluation process, these startups have been selected based on their bold and scalable technology-driven solutions that address pressing challenges within the beauty industry. The Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program is recognized as the largest open innovation competition of its kind in this geographical area, reinforcing L’Oréal’s commitment to investing in beauty innovation.

Competing for Opportunities in Beauty Tech

During the Grand Finale, these ten finalists will present their innovative ideas to a distinguished panel of judges, including representatives from L’Oréal, Google, Meta, and Veros Ventures. The startups hail from various countries in the SAPMENA region, which is characterized by a rapidly growing population and a youthful, digitally-savvy consumer base. Finalists will have the opportunity to collaborate with one of L’Oréal’s 37 international brands and gain potential exposure in 35 markets across the region.

Lex Bradshaw-Zanger, Chief Marketing & Digital Officer for L’Oréal SAPMENA, expressed enthusiasm about the competition, stating, “The high quality of entries for the 2025 Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program truly speaks to the exceptional creativity and ingenuity of these innovative startups in beauty tech.” He emphasized that partnerships with startups allow L’Oréal to explore new ideas and redefine the landscape of beauty technology.

About the Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program

The Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program aims to uncover and nurture promising startups from the SAPMENA region. The competition is open to entrants from countries including Australia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. Participating startups focus on five challenge themes: Consumer Experience, Content & Media, New Commerce, Tech for Good, and Science for Beauty.

Winners from regional finals held in the Middle East, India, Australia & New Zealand, and Southeast Asia will advance to the Grand Finale in November. The top three finalists will receive a L’Oréal-funded commercial pilot opportunity alongside mentorship from senior executives at L’Oréal and its partners. Successful pilots can facilitate access to L’Oréal’s extensive global network, providing valuable partnerships and market insights.

L’Oréal’s initiative reflects a broader commitment to fostering a culture of innovation. The company was recently recognized by Fast Company as one of the Top 50 Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2024, specifically winning in the Beauty and Fashion category for its dedication to promoting innovation at all organizational levels.

With a focus on sustainable growth, L’Oréal continues to lead the charge in redefining beauty experiences in diverse markets, empowering both consumers and innovative startups. For more information about the program, visit the official website at http://bigbang.lorealsapmena.com/.