Unilever launches global pitch, entrepreneurial challenges for scaleups and startups
Unilever has introduced Positive Beauty Growth Platform– a series of pitch competitions and entrepreneurial challenges for scaleups and startups across the globe to collaborate on projects to drive innovation and brand growth.
Sunny Jain, President Beauty & Personal Care, Unilever said: “Collaboration in the mega-trends of the future is a strategic imperative for Unilever. Building a thriving two-way relationship with the global startup community helps power innovation and experimentation, deliver business solutions and fuel growth. The Positive Beauty Growth Platform has been designed to do just that. By harnessing startups’ disruptive approach, we will help future-proof our brands by pioneering into new spaces shaping the beauty industry.”
The FMCG giant is reaching out to scaleups and startups operating in the fast-growing and evolving world of social commerce. In its broadest form, social commerce is the integration of social media and eCommerce, using social platforms to sell and promote products and services. The global social commerce market is expected to reach nearly $3,370 billion by 2028, with the beauty and personal care segment projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 30 percent between 2021-2028.1
To bring this growth opportunity to life, the Positive Beauty Growth Platform is especially interested in partnering with entrepreneurs, from seed startups to late-stage scaleups, in the field of livestream commerce, shoppable media, group buying and gaming commerce. Successful teams will be given the opportunity to pilot their idea in collaboration with some of the world’s leading beauty brands.
Unilever said in a statement: “The new initiative reflects Unilever’s Positive Beauty vision for a new era of beauty which is equitable and inclusive, as well as sustainable for the planet. Using Unilever’s world-class science, technology programmes and innovation partnerships, Positive Beauty is also helping to drive a transformation in how our products are designed and marketed so that they do more good for both people and the planet, deliver a superior product experience, and tap into consumer trends.”
The Positive Beauty Growth Platform is led by Unilever’s Beauty & Personal Care Division, home to global brands such as Dove, AXE and Love Beauty & Planet, and The Unilever Foundry, the company’s collaborative innovation network. The Foundry has piloted over 400 startup projects to date, including collaborations with AI-powered skincare engine HelloAva and cleaning services marketplace Helpling.
Submissions open Tuesday 28 September (12:00 BST), closes Tuesday 19 October (23:59 BST); Shortlists will be announced Wednesday 3 November; and the Virtual Live Pitch Competition, Thursday 18 November.
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