Welcome to the 8th edition of the Cosmetic Victories
The Competition
--------------------------
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-ESSEC 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?
- From primary research project to applied research project, all research works are eligible (all kind of TRL)
- All kind of innovation may be presented as a project submission, in any field of application of the cosmetics industry's value chain: raw materials, formulation, packaging, tests, finished goods, …
- The innovations can come from the perfume and cosmetics industry or can be the result of technology transfer from other sectors to the cosmetic field: new technologies, new products, new processes, new services, new concepts or new organisations.
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-ESSEC endowment fund, winners of The Cosmetic Victories award will receive a cash prize of €10,000.
Submit
To take part all you need to do is register by filling in the following form in English.
The Jury
The Cosmetic Victories relies on an international prestigious jury, composed of scientific, innovation cosmetic experts, members of the major companies and top names in the perfume / cosmetics sector.
The panel of judges brought together major public institutions, representatives from the profession and prestigious French brands :
Marc-Antoine JAMET, Cosmetic Valley/President
Christophe MASSON, Cosmetic Valley/General Manager
Véronique DRECQ, ESSEC Business School
Laurence DORLHAC, Journalist
Isabelle BENOIT, NAOS Group/Scientific Director at BIODERMA
Jean-Christophe CHOULOT, Caudalie/Research & Development Director
Marie COTE, CNRS
Laure BOULANGER, DGE/Consumer Goods Project Manager
Pierre GARCON, Ecomundo/General Manager
Chistophe HADJUR, Shiseido/Research & Development Director
Arnaud LANCELOT, COZIE/President General Manager
Christhian MAS, SOTHYS/General Manager
Boris MICHELIN, J&J/Research & Development Site Director
Sandrine MILESI, CLARINS/Asset Research Director
Estelle BOUVET, Groupe Rocher
Carine NIZARD, LVMH RECHERCHE/Head of life Sciences department
Xavier ORMANCEY, Pierre Fabre/Research & Development Director of dermo-cosmetic
Sandrine OTTONELLO, BPI France/Chemistry & environment sector manager
Caroline PLOUGASTEL, Chanel/Strategic Partnerships Director
Mickael POLETTI, HERMES/Research & Development Director
Francois VIOT, SFC/President
Members of the Selection Committee 2023
The Endowment Fund
The COSMETIC VALLEY-ESSEC endowment fund was set up in 2013 to promote French research and to take part in developing employment in the perfume and cosmetics field, with the aim of showcasing the reputation of French cosmetics and the “Made in France” label.
That is why the Endowment Fund authorised the establishment of an annual international competition for young researchers, academics, university students and those from France’s prestigious higher education institutes, as well as people in charge of innovative projects (from start-ups and SMEs) in the perfume and cosmetics field.
The first edition of the competition was launched in 2015 with the name
“The Cosmetic Victories”.
Winners
The Academic Prize 2023
Ophélie PIERRE
Université de Bretagne Occidentale (FRANCE)
Model Of reiNnervaTed Human Skin :
The project involves the final validation of a model of skin reconstructed by sensory neurones. These are obtained from human samples, thereby doing away with using animals. An irritated or sensitive skin can be simulated using this unique model. This research work will be used to develop new, more appropriate ingredients and new care products, especially for atopic skins.
The Industry Prize 2023
Maximilian WEBERS
Colipi (GERMANY)
Carbon-Light Alternative to Palm Oil :
The start-up has opted to work with the fastest-growing micro-organism on Earth and for which CO2 is the only carbon source. This innovation converts the carbon dioxide in the air into biomass, thereby producing a vegetable oil with very similar properties to palm oil, whose cosmetic properties are highly acclaimed. It not only provides a technical substitution for palm oil but also a decarbonisation solution for industry.
The Academic Prize 2022
Sami HALILA
CNRS Researcher in Glychochemistry - Centre de Recherches sur les Macromolécules Végétales – CNRS, Grenoble (France)
Carbogel A Simple and Eco-Friendly Carbohydrate-Based Gelling Agent for Oily Phase :
The project relates on the supramolecular gelation of organic liquids, such as organic solvents or oils, with monosaccharide derivatives that self-assemble into hierarchical 3D network of nanostructures. The sweet gelators are made from an eco-friendly and efficient method (reaction in water). Gelation could be performed by sonication, or by heating/cooling, or by dilution. The gel is considered as a stimuli-responsive and controlled delivery matrix for cosmetic agents. Finally, our project contributes to "green" and sustainable cosmetics by limiting our environmental and social impact.
The Industry Prize 2022
Stefan MAZY
CEO Founder - Derma Health Solutions Pty Ltd (Australia)
SkinRNA Micro-cell Test :
A world-first, repeatable, epigenetic diagnostic skin patch and laboratory test that quantifies skincare effectiveness via real-time gene expression activity. Our device collects more than 15,000 genes, while our algorithms provide gene expression activity scores for skin functions including collagen and elastin production, and skin inflammation. After product intervention, a second test is performed measuring new gene activity against initial benchmarks. Consumers can then repeat testing at intervals to track and monitor skin improvement at a genetic level without waiting for visible signs.