Amorepacific is accepting applications from September 7 to 20 for the second-half 2026 ‘New Beauty Innovation Challenge,’ which seeks participating companies across both brands and innovative technologies.

Beginning in the second half of this year, the brand and technology programs that had previously been operated separately will be integrated into the ‘Brand Track’ and ‘Tech Track,’ with applications opening twice a year. The program will also expand its scope from beauty and wellness to medical aesthetics, enabling Amorepacific to discover a broader range of promising brands and innovative technologies while strengthening opportunities for collaboration that lead to investment and commercialization.

The ‘Brand Track’ is open to early-stage brand startups established within the past five years with annual sales of KRW 5 billion or less. Application categories include △beauty brands, such as skincare, makeup, and haircare; △wellness brands, including inner beauty and healthcare; and △beauty device brands. Selected companies will gain growth opportunities that leverage Amorepacific’s diverse business capabilities, including connections to domestic and global distribution channels, commercialization support, and joint product development.

The ‘Tech Track’ is open to technology-based startups that meet the eligibility requirements for a TIPS recommendation. Application categories include △beauty and medical aesthetics materials and technologies, such as bio-based functional materials, next-generation formulations and delivery technologies, and skin booster and filler materials; △beauty and medical devices, including personal care devices, measurement solutions, and medical devices; and △digital beauty, such as AI- and data-driven marketing and distribution, SCM platforms, and related services. In collaboration with Amorepacific’s R&I and AX organizations, the program will consider opportunities for technology validation and PoC (Proof of Concept) projects and support the creation of business synergies.

The final selected companies will be offered opportunities for equity investment of up to KRW 500 million. Technology-based companies will also be considered for recommendation to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ TIPS program, with further collaboration pursued according to each company’s characteristics and stage of growth.

An Amorepacific representative said, “This challenge is meaningful because it has been reorganized into an integrated system that discovers both brands and technologies, while expanding its scope to include medical aesthetics.” The representative added, “By leveraging Amorepacific’s diverse capabilities in research and development, product development and manufacturing, and distribution, we will continue to expand opportunities to collaborate with promising startups.”

Applications for the ‘Second-Half 2026 New Beauty Innovation Challenge’ will be accepted from September 7 to 20 through the Amorepacific Ventures official website(https://ventures.amorepacific.com). Final companies are scheduled to be selected in early November following document screening and two rounds of in-person evaluations.