German retailer Douglas is to host the fourth edition of its start-up competition, Beauty Futures – The Douglas Start-up Challenge.
The competition is open to products and services in three categories: Beauty & Health Product Innovation, Beauty & Health Digital Solution and Sustainability Innovation.
The winners’ creations may be added to Douglas’ the product range in brick-and-mortar and online stores, with an opportunity for further collaboration.
Business founders and start-ups can enter the competition until September 19 by submitting a brief description of their idea, a pitch deck and a video on https://www.douglasbeautyfutures.com.
All finalists will also compete for a branding package offered by the agency Jung von Matt START as part of a special prize.
The finals will be held on November 8 at the Douglas headquarters in Düsseldorf.
Three new categories
There are three new categories for this year’s competition. The Beauty & Health Product Innovation category focuses on new and innovative beauty and health products and applications in skincare, make-up, fragrance, haircare, nutritional supplements and health.
The Beauty & Health Digital Solution category targets apps and other smart digital solutions based on augmented reality or artificial intelligence that could be used to enhance the customer experience at Douglas.
The Sustainability Innovation category will recognize a company or start-up that has developed futuristic solutions for increased sustainability along the entire supply chain. The category extends from sustainable product innovations or green ingredients to production, packaging and delivery.
The winners will be selected by a jury of external experts and members of the Douglas management team. Douglas team members on the jury include: CEO of the Douglas Group Tina Müller; Chief Assortment and Purchasing Officer of the Douglas Group Isabell Hendrichs; CEO of Douglas Brands Susanne Cornelius, and CMO of the Douglas Group Caroline Schmitt.
External jurors include: Entrepreneur and Angel investor Lea-Sophie Cramer; Philipp Westermeyer, founder of digital marketing platform OMR; ESG expert and founder Sara Nuru and entrepreneur, investor and author Tijen Onaran.
“Our start-up competition Beauty Futures is now a permanent member of the Douglas family and has been a complete success,” commented Tina Müller, CEO of the Douglas Group. “We want to give a boost to innovations and new developments and be a driving force behind the evolution of the beauty and health market of the future. Promoting vibrant entrepreneurs is one of my personal passions,” she added.