L'Oréal has launched the L'Oréal BOLD Female Founders initiative designed to support female-led start-ups developed by its venture capital fund, BOLD Business Opportunities for L'Oréal Development, through a dedicated initial allocation of 25 million euros.

Aligned with the group's strategic commitment to promote gender equity, the mandate of BOLD Female Founders will be to focus on investment opportunities globally across the beauty ecosystem, including brands, beauty tech, biotech, and green science.

"L'Oréal has for many years been committed to women empowerment, through numerous programs and initiatives of the L'Oréal Foundation, such as L'Oréal UNESCO for Women in Science and Women for Climate. BOLD Female Founders aims at promoting the venture funding of women entrepreneurship, that remains at an unbelievably low level. By addressing the inequalities that passionate women founders face in their entrepreneurial journey, we bring our sense of purpose to life: Create the beauty that moves the world," says Nicolas Hieronimus, Chief Executive Officer of L'Oréal. "Today, 30% of the startups of our BOLD venture capital fund are led by women. With BOLD Female Founders, we want to accelerate our venture capital investment to support female entrepreneurship."

Gouzelle Ishmatova, BOLD Chief Strategy Officer, added, "A more inclusive venture capital industry means more opportunities for underrepresented female entrepreneurs. As a matter of fact, startups led by women attract less funding, yet they consistently outperform. With BOLD Female Founders, we want to be a game changer by investing in the creativity and talent of the next generation of female entrepreneurs."

The L'Oréal group acts to champion the cause of women especially within its ecosystem. This strategic investment by BOLD is the latest step in the brand’s longstanding commitment to women's equity and empowerment.