When Pune-based Without and Bengaluru’s Sravathi AI took the stage at L’Oréal’s SAPMENA Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program, they joined a field of thousands competing from across Asia, the Middle East and Australia. By the end of the Grand Finale, both Indian teams stood among the winners — a moment that underscored the growing presence of Indian innovation on the global stage.
The programme is the largest of its kind across SAPMENA, connecting startups with L’Oréal’s international brand ecosystem. For the winners, the recognition translates into a L’Oréal-funded commercial pilot and a year-long mentorship involving leaders from L’Oréal, Google, Meta and Accenture.
The Indian winners share the spotlight with Halo AI from the UAE and Heatseeker from Australia. Wubble AI from Singapore received a Special Mention.
For India, the achievement reflects a broader shift. This is the second year in a row that Indian startups have secured top finishes. Saloni Shah Javeri, Chief Digital and Marketing Officer at L’Oréal India, said the consistency speaks volumes about the country’s innovation depth. “It is truly inspiring to see how homegrown solutions… are reinforcing India’s growing prominence as a global hub for innovation,” she said.
From L’Oréal’s regional leadership, Vismay Sharma described the SAPMENA region itself as a rising centre of creativity — an area that now rivals traditional global hubs. “SAPMENA is one of the world’s most dynamic regions,” he noted, pointing to its young and digitally engaged population.
For the Indian winners, the next year will involve working directly with some of the world’s most recognised beauty brands — and potentially bringing their innovations to millions of consumers.
