Two UAE-based startups, Digital First AI and Halo AI, have been selected as finalists in L’Oréal’s 2025 SAPMENA Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program, the largest open innovation competition of its kind in the region. The startups are among 10 innovators from the South Asia Pacific, Middle East, and North Africa (SAPMENA) region who will compete in the Grand Finale in Singapore on November 7, 2025.
Competing On A Global Stage
The finalists were chosen after a rigorous evaluation by industry experts for their scalable and tech-driven solutions to challenges in the beauty industry. During the finale, the teams will pitch to a distinguished panel of judges from L’Oréal, Google, Meta, and Veros Ventures. Winners will secure a L’Oréal-funded commercial pilot, a year-long mentorship program with senior executives, and the opportunity to collaborate with one of L’Oréal’s 37 international brands, gaining potential exposure across 35 markets.
UAE’s AI-Powered Solutions For Beauty
The selection of Digital First AI and Halo AI highlights the growing strength of the UAE’s technology ecosystem in creating globally competitive solutions. Both companies leverage artificial intelligence to address key challenges in marketing and content creation for consumer brands.
- Digital First AI offers a platform that uses proprietary AI agents and workflows to supercharge marketing campaigns and maximize return on investment.
- Halo AI helps brands scale their collaborations with content creators through an AI-powered platform for vetting, analysis, and selection.
L’Oréal’s Commitment To Open Innovation
The Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program is designed to discover and nurture promising startups from across the SAPMENA region. Lex Bradshaw-Zanger, Chief Marketing & Digital Officer for L’Oréal SAPMENA, emphasized the value of such collaborations, stating, “The high quality of entries for the 2025 Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program speaks to the exceptional creativity of startups in beauty tech. At L’Oréal, we know we cannot innovate alone. Working with these startups allows us to test groundbreaking solutions and push the boundaries of what beauty can be.” The SAPMENA region, with its young and digitally-savvy population, serves as a fertile ground for testing and scaling these innovations.
About Digital First AI
Digital First AI is a UAE-based technology startup that provides AI-driven solutions to enhance marketing effectiveness. Its platform utilizes advanced AI agents and custom workflows to help businesses optimize their marketing strategies and achieve higher campaign performance.
About Halo AI
Based in the UAE, Halo AI is a technology company that specializes in the creator economy. Its AI platform streamlines the process of identifying and collaborating with content creators, enabling brands to efficiently scale their influencer marketing efforts with data-driven insights.
Source: GCC Startup News
