SCS Consulting, a strategic and management consulting firm with over 40 years of experience, and Zest, Italy’s leading player in early-stage venture capital, open innovation, and corporate venturing, will present the exclusive research “Future-Proofing Beauty: The Innovation Playbook”, at Cosmoprof 2025. The study explores emerging trends reshaping the cosmetics industry, driven by the disruptive impact of startups.

The event will take place within the Cosmotalks program on March 22 at 3:00 PM, offering a unique opportunity to hear first-hand insights from SCS and Zest experts. Attendees will gain an in-depth perspective on the evolving industry landscape, with direct involvement from startups and corporations, and an analysis of successful case studies.

The research underscores how innovation is the primary growth driver in the beauty industry, with a particular focus on the strategic role of startups. With over 2,500 active beauty-tech startups in 2024, the market is undergoing a revolution, introducing solutions ranging from biotech sustainability to digital transformation and hyper-personalization.

Key trends highlighted in the study include:

• Inclusivity and Personalization – The rise of gender-neutral products, bespoke formulations, and AI-powered tailor-made beauty solutions.

• Biotechnology and Sustainability – The integration of upcycled ingredients, zero-waste packaging, and fermentation technologies that reduce environmental impact while maintaining high performance.

• Digitalization of Beauty – The adoption of AI and AR tools to enhance the consumer experience and improve transparency in product information.

A pivotal finding from the research is the collaborative model between startups and corporations. Open innovation continues to be a critical factor in industry competitiveness: startups bring agility and breakthrough solutions, while corporations provide resources and scalability, fostering a mutually beneficial ecosystem.

At Cosmoprof, the effectiveness of this model will be showcased through key success stories, including Vortex, a startup specializing in upcycling agro-food byproducts, which has developed major synergies with SAES Getters, a leading international player in innovative materials; Shampora, a pioneer in hyper-personalized haircare; Inclita SeaWeed Solutions, a Portuguese startup developing essential oils and cosmetic ingredients from marine algae; and Paques BioMaterials, a Dutch startup producing fully sustainable plastics through natural microorganism processes.

“The fast-changing competitive landscape and evolving consumer expectations require beauty industry players to accelerate their go-to-market strategies. A well-structured innovation framework, based on startup collaboration, enables companies to swiftly access new technologies and business models without compromising brand integrity. Defining strategic priorities, validating hypotheses, and measuring outcomes are key steps to ensuring a positive economic impact," said Francesco Fumelli, Head of Retail & FMCG at SCS Consulting.

“The innovation ecosystem includes over 2,500 startups in the cosmetics sector. The challenge for large corporations is to develop collaboration models that mitigate risks while fostering co-innovation. Engaging key stakeholders within the organization and working in synergy with startups accelerates product development and transforms innovation into a structured and shared approach,” added Ivan Cazzol, Partners Growth Lead at Zest Innovation.

SCS Consulting and Zest invite beauty professionals, businesses, and industry stakeholders to join the event, where exclusive insights and best practices will be shared to help navigate market transformations.