Green sciences for the future of cosmetics
L'Oréal Green Sciences Incubator looked for game-changing green sciences startups to collaborate with L'Oréal and reveal their potential.
- Sector
- Cosmetics & green sciences
- TRL
- Not specified
- Deadline
- 6 February 2023 (closed)
What is L'Oréal Green Sciences Incubator?
L'Oréal Green Sciences Incubator is looking for game-changing solutions to onboard on its innovation journey. Through this call, selected startups get a unique opportunity to collaborate with L'Oréal and reveal their potential.
The incubator provides the right environment to support startups in their development. It was created, under the guidance of the L'Oréal Open Innovation team, to support the L'Oréal for the Future commitments. By 2030, L'Oréal aims for 95% of ingredients in formula to be biobased, derived from abundant minerals or from circular processes, and for 100% of biobased ingredients for formulas and packaging materials to be traceable and from sustainable sources, none linked to deforestation.
L'Oréal also aims to enable consumers to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption resulting from the use of its products by 25% (compared to 2016, on average and per finished product). To meet these goals, L'Oréal Open Innovation and the Green Sciences Incubator capture external sources of innovation.
What were we looking for?
Innovative solutions working on one of these four fields.
Biotechnology & fermentation
Culturing microorganisms (bacteria, yeast, microalgae, fungi) or cells (animal or plant) in bioreactors or controlled environments.
Sustainable cultivation
Practices and technologies that manage water, respect biodiversity and soil quality, and limit land footprint and carbon emissions while providing plants, mushrooms and algae for innovation.
Green extraction & physical processes
Eco-respectful technology leading to a final ingredient without any (bio)chemical transformation of natural resources from plants, algae, mushrooms, μorganisms, cells or abundant minerals.
Green chemistry
Design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances.
Is this opportunity for you?
The call was open to startups from inside or outside the cosmetics industry. L'Oréal Green Sciences Incubator was particularly seeking solutions addressing the challenges below.
From another sector
You operate in another sector and would like to transpose your solution to the cosmetics industry with L'Oréal's support.
From the cosmetics industry
You operate in the cosmetics industry and would like to accelerate your solutions through this collaboration.
Key raw materials
Green and non-ecotoxic alternatives for cationic polymers, silicones, thickeners, solvents, UV filters and dyes; sustainable and biodegradable polymers; proteins as functional materials.
Key cosmetic functions
Skin and hair benefits such as washing, caring, colouring, repairing, optical effects, sensoriality, long lasting, water resistance, skin protection, shine or waterless hygiene.
Innovative techniques
Synbio, microbial or enzymatic fermentation, cell culture, water, enzyme or microwave extraction, artificial photosynthesis, surfactant-free processes, water management and circularity.
What will you benefit from?
The collaboration is tailored to each startup's needs. Depending on those needs, incubation ranges from L'Oréal research sites up to a full-time incubation on the Genopole innovation campus.
Co-innovative mindset
Share a common project, team and space.
A common team
Collaborate with a wide range of L'Oréal experts.
Access to L'Oréal resources
Benefit from privileged access to L'Oréal laboratory facilities.
Genopole starter kit
A fully equipped biotech laboratory, Genopole tech platforms, a personalised audit at the start and end of the programme, a dedicated mentor and a Genopole project manager.
Genopole expertise packs
4 packs at Genopole Biocluster: Market Access, Fundraising, Key Account Partnership and Communication.
In collaboration with
L'Oréal Green Sciences Incubator
Created under the guidance of the L'Oréal Open Innovation team to support the L'Oréal for the Future commitments, by capturing external sources of innovation.
Genopole
France's leading biocluster for biotechnologies and research in biotherapy, bioeconomy and digital genomics, in Evry/Corbeil-Essonnes, just south of Paris.
Your questions about the startup call
Do I need to be in the cosmetics industry?
No. The call was open to startups from another sector wishing to transpose their solution to cosmetics, and to cosmetics startups wishing to accelerate.
Which fields were in scope?
Biotechnology and fermentation, sustainable cultivation, green extraction and physical processes, and green chemistry.
Where does the incubation take place?
Depending on your needs, from an incubation on L'Oréal research sites up to a full-time incubation on the Genopole innovation campus, south of Paris.
Who can I contact for more information?
Our project lead, Emma Carnus (emma.carnus@hello-tomorrow.org).
Explore past calls
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Applications are closed
The L'Oréal Green Sciences Incubator call looked for green sciences startups for cosmetics. Discover our open calls or contact us to hear about the next ones.