May 6, 2013
L’Oréal USA Women in Digital to Provide ‘Next Generation Awards’ to Female Entrepreneurs Disrupting Beauty Tech
L’Oréal USA is looking for three female tech entrepreneurs revolutionizing the beauty industry through innovation. The renowned cosmetics and beauty brand is back with its 2nd annual L’Oréal USA Women in Digital “Next†Generation Awards. L’Oréal USA Women in Digital, an initiative aimed at women working in digital marketing, technology and IT functions, offers opportunities to woman-led tech startups looking to disrupt the beauty industry.
“At L’Oréal we believe in entrepreneurship — Identifying and partnering with digital technologies designed by women, for women, matches our passion for beauty and progress,†said Marc Speichert, chief marketing officer at L’Oréal USA, in a press release. “These technologies help contribute to the development and marketing of innovative consumer products to directly address our consumers, who are primarily women.â€
The three woman-led companies will score a chance to pilot their technology with L’Oréal brands, be introduced to investors and executives, and receive mentorship from advisory board members and program partners.  L’Oréal advisory board members include Arianna Huffington, president and editor-in-chief at Huffington Post Media Group; CEO and Co-Founder at Women 2.0 Shaherose Charania; and Katie Rae, managing director at TechStars Boston, among others.
“As the world’s leading beauty company, L’Oréal has the opportunity to make a difference and to support women in technology,†said Rachel Weiss, vice president, digital strategy and innovation at L’Oréal USA and chair of L’Oréal USA Women in Digital. “Through the L’Oréal USA Women in Digital Program, our mission is to revolutionize the digital space and path-to-purchase by continuing to support rising female entrepreneurs in technology and innovation that will shape the next generation of the beauty industry.â€
Women entrepreneurs can nominate themselves, or someone else. To apply for this year’s “Next Generation Awards,†applicants should be able to help L’Oréal engage with connected consumers by touching at least one of L’Oréal’s objectives, which includes creating a digital experience that would help beauty shoppers select and purchase cosmetics in large retailers, hair salons, online or at beauty counters and specialty shops; leverage and gather data to assist the beauty company acquire new customers; and provide L’Oréal with a new channel for customer acquisition or loyalty for beauty customers across all digital platforms, mobile and emerging technology. In addition, these savvy technophiles should be able to create technology to help identify and suggest beauty regimens for skincare analysis, makeup and hair color trials driving to online or in-store purchase, as well as any “disruptive†technology that the New York City-based company may not know about.
Finalists and winners will be selected by a panel of L’Oréal USA executives, venture capital partners, and L’Oréal USA Women in Digital Board of Advisors. The honorees will be announced and recognized at an exclusive invitation-only event attended by digital industry leaders, investors, L’Oréal top executives and press.  Award recipients will also receive airfare, two nights’ accommodation, and an itinerary introducing them to investors and L’Oréal executives, as well as strategic partners.
The premier beauty brand began accepting submissions for the “Next†Generation Awards in early April, and will continue receiving nominations until May 20. Visit www.lorealwomenindigital.com to enter.