L’Oréal has announced a partnership with French start-up campus Station F, which is the biggest of its kind in the world.
The 34,000sqm campus, which opened this June in Paris, is backed by French entrepreneur Xavier Niel and is home to more than 1,000 start-ups and 3,000 entrepreneurs.
L’Oréal is the first consumer goods company to join Station F, after tech leaders such as Facebook and Microsoft. The company will run its own beauty accelerator inside Station F and will finance 62 workstations on campus.
Jean-Paul Agon, Chairman and CEO of L’Oréal, said: “As a French company with a global reach, L’Oréal is proud to support Station F’s ambition to make France a global centre of digital innovation.
“As a beauty industry leader, we are thrilled to empower the next generation of beauty enthusiastic entrepreneurs. Together we will create a powerful innovation synergy to address the aspirations and diversified needs of beauty consumers worldwide.”
Jean-Paul Agon (left) and Xavier Niel © Alain Buu
L’Oréal’s partnership with Station F is the next step in its digital open innovation strategy.
Start-ups can apply directly via L’Oréal’s website to be involved in L'Oréal's accelerator at Station F.
The company has already invested in venture capitalist firm Partech Ventures and digital accelerator Founders Factory.
Lubomira Rochet, Chief Digital Officer of L’Oréal, added: “Our partnership with Station F is strategic to help us connect, collaborate and support the rising generation of digital beauty entrepreneurs.
“We are excited to provide the resident beauty start-ups with access, networking and mentorship across the Group’s brands, labs and business teams to accelerate their development.”
