Calling all beauty innovators. Douglas, one of Europe’s largest beauty retailers, has kicked off its third search for the most innovative start-ups around the globe across the categories of Beauty Brand, Beauty Technology, and Green Retail to pitch their ideas. Douglas carries more than 130,000 beauty and lifestyle products online, in over 2,000 brick-and-mortar stores and on their beauty marketplace.

Douglas is looking for revolutionary product concepts that have the potential of enhancing its merchandising assortment, technology that could reshape the customer experience in Douglas stores, online, app, or social media platforms, and finally, start-ups that are developing solutions to make retail more sustainable from the store through the supply chain.

We will use the competition Beauty Futures – The Douglas Innovation Pitch to further shape the face of Europe's beauty market," says Tina Müller, CEO Douglas Group. "We will also foster the work of passionate entrepreneurs at the same time. Our new category, ‘Green Retail’ will provide start-ups with a platform where they can present their ideas about making retail more sustainable. We are looking forward to hearing new ideas that will support our digitalization strategy, #FORWARDBEAUTYDigitalfirst, and our market position as Europe's leading premium beauty platform.

The winning idea submitted in the Beauty Brand category will receive the opportunity to be included in the international product assortment online and in Douglas stores. Following a review process, the winners of the other two categories will have an opportunity to integrate their solutions into the Douglas ecosystem.

Interested brands and start-ups should briefly describe their ideas and explain how they will produce long-range success, as well as include a pitch deck that summarizes the business plan. During a shortlisting process, an internal jury will select six candidates per category. These candidates will then be required to make a video pitch to the entire jury. The winners will be honored during an award presentation ceremony on November 12.

The deadline for submissions is September 26. Enter here.