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One of the most challenging issues of the Cosmetic Valley is to detect and support the young innovative companies, as well as to promote the research and the cosmetic sciences. This led to the creation of The Cosmetic Victories competition in 2015, sponsored by the Cosmetic Valley endowment fund.
The competition, recognized by the profession, aims to reward and promote students, researchers, start-ups and SMEs in charge of innovative projects, related to the perfume and cosmetics industry, as well as to promote the research and innovation that will participate in the future of the cosmetics industry.
Objectives of the competition
- To support projects run by researchers, start-ups and entrepreneurs from the perfume and cosmetics sector
- To promote the worldwide research excellency
- To facilitate the access to the market
The Cosmetic Victories awards 2 prizes:
- The Academic Prize, for the most relevant research project that meets the new technical challenges of the cosmetic industry
- The Industry Prize, for the best cosmetic innovation of the year
Who can take part in the competition?
The Cosmetic Victories competition is open to contestants from all around the world:
- The Academic Prize: for PhD students, post-doctoral fellows and researchers
- The Industry Prize: for managers of business-creation projects, innovative start-ups and SMEs
Which types of research & innovation?
- Ecological Transition and Societal Impact
Practices and technologies promoting sustainability, resource conservation, and improving carbon footprint and consumer well-being.
Environmental impact reduction, traceability, supply chain structuring, sustainable product development, recycling, upcycling, eco-design, reuse and reduction technologies, bulk distribution, biodegradability.
Resource consumption reduction, decarbonization, water/electricity savings, life cycle assessment (LCA), waste treatment.
Societal impact, emotion, sensory perception (olfactory, tactile, visual, auditory), neurosciences, mental health.
Development of cosmetopea, biosourcing, use and transformation of biomass and agricultural by-products, algae, regeneration, biopolymers, biomimicry studies, biodiversity studies.
- Optimization of Product, Human, and Environmental Interactions
Analysis and management of interactions between products and biological targets, as well as their impact on humans and the environment (skin, nails, hair, cutaneous microbiome, and the environment).
Safety, toxicology, ecotoxicology, pollution, microbiology, cutaneous microbiome, preservation, interactions, content/container transfer, material physics.
Formulation, bioactives, encapsulation, vectorization, targeting, stability, galenics, rheology.
Biological activities, skin models, in vivo, ex vivo, in vitro, genomics, characterization, analytical chemistry, testing, efficacy demonstration, physiology, imaging, sensory analysis, photonic biology.
- Advanced Technologies and Digitalization
Technological and digital innovations to optimize processes and product development, improve production, industrialization, and the user experience.
Eco-processes, eco-extraction, NaDes (Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents), supercritical solvents, green technology, green chemistry.
Nanotechnology, biotechnology.
Robotics, mechatronics, automation, Industry 5.0, supply chain, 3D printing, rapid prototyping.
Digital, machine learning, AI, virtual/augmented reality, blockchain, IoT/connected factories, digital twins, metaverse, predictive tools.
Data analysis, big data, algorithms, e-commerce, personalization.
The prize
Recognition by the profession
The international jury’s excellence adds value and considerable scope to each prize-winner’s project.
International exposure
Following the competition, there will be major national and international press coverage.
Technical backing
Project holders might be supported by Cosmetic Valley to develop their project, facilitating collaborations, and connecting with Beauty Hub, the cosmetics accelerator
Financial backing
To support the competition’s prize-winning projects, and based on the COSMETIC VALLEY endowment fund, winners of The Cosmetic Victories award will receive a cash prize of €10,000.