L'Oréal has launched a Sustainable Innovation Accelerator with the aim of addressing critical solution gaps and catalyzing adoption of breakthrough technologies within the beauty industry and is seeking to deploy €100 million investment over the next five years in ready-to-pilot solutions within alternative ingredients, fossil plastic elimination, low-carbon solutions, and nature-based solutions. Learn more about the key areas of innovation and investment criteria here: https://www.cisl.cam.ac.uk/loreal-sustainable-innovation-accelerator
Applications are now open until September 30, Don't miss this incredible opportunity to accelerate your innovation with L'Oréal's support. Apply here:https://cambridge.smapply.org/prog/_lorals_sustainable_innovation_accelerator/
Who is it for?
Startups, scaleups, SMEs and established companies from around the world, at TRL 7 or higher, that align with one or more of the seven key innovation areas outlined below:
- Low-carbon, climate-smart technologies
- Water resilience solutions
- Nature-based solutions
- Alternative ingredients and materials
- Eliminating fossil plastic use and plastic waste
- Circularity and resource management
- Sustainable and inclusive business models
Key Dates
- Applications: Opens 23 June and closes 30 September 2025.
- Cohort selection: November 2025
- Tailored acceleration and mentoring: Starts November 2025 - closes February 2026
- Execution of pilots, if applicable: Starts February 2026 (expected 6 to 9 months)
What support do participants receive?
Successful applicants will join an up to 12-month program that includes:
- A 12-week group acceleration support delivered by CISL innovation team, focused on pilot readiness.
- Up to 12 hours of 1:1 mentoring and coaching from global sustainability, innovation and industry leaders.
- In-person or virtual peer-learning sessions.
- The potential opportunity to co-develop pilot projects with L’Oréal*, including, if applicable, the potential opportunity for commercial agreement or investment.
- Leveraging CISL's sustainability expertise and L'Oréal's leading cosmetics industry position.