THE CHALLENGE
The theme this year revolves around challenges that arise from urbanization. 68% of the world’s population is projected to live in urban areas by 2050, with a significant contribution coming from Asia. Therefore, we are looking for solutions in the following areas:
Diversity and Interconnected
Mobility and urbanization create a culturally diverse society with varied needs and routines that interconnect to influence new habits. Some examples are solutions relating to people’s different skincare needs, new customer experiences and routines, connectedness via devices, or consumption on-the-go-technologies.
Sustainability
The beauty journey must converge with the protection of our planet and society. Solutions in this category encompass zero-waste, the circular economy, urban farming or new food, consumer education, products/routines with reduced water use, natural packaging, or refillable/rechargeable products.
Urban Living
Urban living brings both environmental and lifestyle stressors that affect our health and beauty. Therefore, we are looking for solutions relating to technologies that respond and adapt to different environments and situations; active defense against external factors; instant and long-lasting product effect; new concepts to manage aging of skin, hair, and scalp; or multifunctional benefits under a single product or technology.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU
Potential access to L'Oréal's leading R&D expertise in beauty
Opportunities for conducting a pilot study with L’Oréal hubs
Opportunity to land a $50,000 Startup SG grant sponsored by Startup SG
Startup mentorship sessions by Get in the Ring and Startup SG for startups selected to be in the semi-finals and finals
Cash prize of S$5,000 for two winners
No equity taken
REQUIREMENTS
You should
Have a working prototype or demonstrator for testing within the next 18 months
Be willing to be present in person in Singapore if selected for the semi-finals (sponsorship options are on a case-by-case basis)
Explanation of how the proposed technology/solution can address the specifically intended problem statement
Unique selling point of the proposed solution/technology
APPLICATION DEADLINE
The deadline for applications is September 15th
ANNOUNCEMENT OF SHORTLISTED STARTUPS
The shortlisted startups will be announced in October 2019
SEMI-FINALS
The Semi Finals will be held on November 8th
FINALS
The finals will be held on November 11th, at the Slingshot 2019 stage during SFF x SWITCH, Singapore. The most promising startup(s) will be awarded a pilot project.