Seoul City announced on the 10th that it will host the ‘2026 Seoul Beauty Week - Business Meet-Up Pitching Competition’ on August 25 at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) Conference Hall. This event is a core component of the ‘Beautiful Life in Seoul’ initiative, aimed at expanding Seoul's lifestyle industry into the global content arena. The competition will provide a platform for startups possessing innovative ideas and technical capabilities across various beauty sectors, including cosmetics, beauty devices, beauty tech, and platforms, to explore opportunities for market entry.

As a key event of the Seoul Beauty Week, which showcases the present and future of K-beauty, this year marks the fifth iteration of the festival. Participants can expect a comprehensive experience that includes corporate exhibitions, export consultations, seminars, and hands-on experiences. Startups from across the country, whether they are pre-launch or within seven years of establishment, are eligible to compete, creating a diverse pool that encourages innovation in lifestyle-related beauty sectors.

Nine teams selected through a rigorous document review will present their projects on the main stage of Seoul Beauty Week. Each finalist team will benefit from one-on-one mentoring sessions with professional investors, alongside practical opportunities for meetings with investors and collaborations between companies. This structure not only elevates startups but also serves as a bridge for investors looking for promising ventures in the beauty sector.

The competition will award a total of 20 million KRW in cash prizes, with 10 million KRW designated for the grand prize winner, while the best team will receive 5 million KRW and another three promising teams will be awarded 1 million KRW each. An additional four teams will be recognized with 500,000 KRW each. All prize winners will receive a certificate from the Mayor of Seoul, enhancing their credibility in the market.

Last year, the competition attracted 59 promising companies, leading to substantial post-event activities including follow-up meetings with major distributors and venture capitalists, showcasing the event's effectiveness in facilitating real investment and collaboration opportunities. Notable successes include ㈜BarunBio, winner of the grand prize in 2025 for its micro-current skincare solution, recognized with CES Innovation Awards for three consecutive years from 2024 to 2026, and Entertake, which gained significant funding through the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ TIPS program.

Businesses wishing to participate can apply from May 26 to June 26 through the Seoul Beauty Week Secretariat at seoulbeautyweek@gmail.com or by calling 02-550-2580. More details are also available on the official website of Seoul Beauty Week and the Seoul City website.