Innovation in Beauty Tech: Celebrating Winners of L’Oréal’s 2025 SAPMENA Big Bang Program
On November 18, 2025, the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit of the South Asia Pacific, Middle East, and North Africa (SAPMENA) region was showcased as four groundbreaking startups received remarkable accolades in L’Oréal’s 2025 SAPMENA Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program. Among the winners were two Indian innovators: Sravathi AI and Without, alongside Halo AI from the UAE, and Heatseeker from Australia. This program stands as the largest open innovation competition in the SAPMENA area, aimed at unearthing next-gen ideas in beauty technology.
A Gateway to Collaboration with Industry Leaders
The adjudicated winners are set to take exciting strides as they leap into collaborations with L’Oréal, working within a commercial pilot framework that will span one of the company’s 37 prestigious international brands. Additionally, these startups will have the unique opportunity to tap into a vast network across 35 markets within the SAPMENA region. This networking will be enhanced by a year-long mentorship journey led by senior executives from L’Oréal and its esteemed partners, including giants such as Accenture, Google, and Meta. Furthermore, Wubble AI from Singapore received a Special Mention, recognizing its distinctive contributions to the beauty tech landscape.
A Spotlight on India’s Thriving Startup Ecosystem
This year’s winners exemplify the dazzling creativity and ingenuity present within the budding startup ecosystem in the SAPMENA region. Particularly in India, the startup scene thrives on robust market growth, a burgeoning middle class, and a digitally-savvy consumer base. This environment underscores a pressing need for continuous support and strategic partnerships to foster growth and innovation.
Vismay Sharma, President of L’Oreal SAPMENA Zone, eloquently illustrated the dynamic nature of the region. He expressed, “SAPMENA is one of the world’s most dynamic regions, with millions of young, digitally-savvy consumers fuelling the rapid rise of digital commerce and brand innovation." He emphasized the transition of innovation hubs from traditional strongholds like Silicon Valley to more diverse regions like SAPMENA.
Celebrating Indian Entrepreneurship
Saloni Shah Javeri, Chief Digital and Marketing Officer at L’Oreal India, shared her excitement over the recognition of Indian entrepreneurs for the second consecutive year. Her remarks spotlighted how local solutions resonate with genuine consumer needs, thereby reinforcing India’s position as a global innovation center. She proudly stated, "L’Oreal is proud to champion these innovators who are passionately bringing beauty and technology closer together."
The Competitive Journey of the Finalists
The 2025 edition of the program was a remarkable journey, impressively capturing interest from over 50,000 startups across the SAPMENA region. The application phase witnessed teams from Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand competing rigorously. Over the course of nine months, these startups developed solutions addressing diverse themes such as consumer experience, content creation, new commerce, technology for good, and scientific advancements in beauty.
The program culminated in a Grand Finale held in Singapore on November 7, where ten shortlisted startups presented their innovative visions to a distinguished judging panel comprised of industry luminaries from L’Oreal, Google, Meta, and Veros Ventures. The success from the previous year, showcased by Bengaluru-based winners NeuralGarage and Live2.ai, set a high bar, which this year’s participants undoubtedly surpassed.
Spotlighting the Winning Solutions
Let’s take a closer look at the impressive solutions brought forth by the winners:
Sravathi AI (India)
Sravathi AI has developed an innovative silico chemistry AI platform focused on streamlining drug discovery. Utilizing advanced molecular modeling and biochemistry, their platform offers a comprehensive solution for identifying drug candidates while minimizing clinical risks. Sravathi’s system enables rapid identification and optimization of pharmaceutical compounds, showcasing their commitment to enhancing medical research and development.
Without (India)
This forward-thinking social enterprise is addressing the dual crises of plastic waste and poverty. Without transforms unrecyclable plastic waste into high-quality, recyclable materials through a patented chemo-mechanical process. The company’s model emphasizes ethical practices in circular economy efforts, demonstrating that technological innovation can fuel both environmental and social benefits.
Halo AI (UAE)
Halo AI leverages artificial intelligence to facilitate meaningful partnerships between brands and content creators. By automating the vetting and selection process, Halo AI mitigates inefficient practices in influencer marketing. The platform matches brands with nano and micro-influencers, enabling swift and impactful collaborations that foster genuine connections with audiences.
Heatseeker (Australia)
Addressing challenges in market research, Heatseeker empowers marketers to conduct real-time experiments with consumers. Using its AI-driven platform, businesses can obtain actionable insights rapidly, allowing them to gauge customer interest and refining their product offerings before official launches.
Special Mention: Wubble AI (Singapore)
Wubble AI stands out as a pioneering enterprise producing bespoke, royalty-free music using generative AI. This innovative solution caters to brands seeking unique audio experiences tailored for diverse marketing settings, promoting seamless integration into campaigns and brand narratives.
L’Oreal’s Commitment to Innovation
L’Oreal’s emphasis on fostering innovation is evident as the Groupe continues to be recognized for its efforts. In 2025, it was celebrated as the most innovative company in Europe by Fortune magazine, underscoring its influence across various industries. Fast Company also acknowledged L’Oreal in its Top 50 Best Workplaces for Innovators list, further highlighting the brand’s unyielding commitment to nurturing creativity at every level within the organization.
The recognition bestowed upon these startups not only underscores their unique contributions but also highlights the relentless spirit of innovation permeating the SAPMENA region. As these companies embark on their journey with support from industry leaders, the future of beauty tech appears not just promising but transformative.
