L’Oréal supports female start-ups with new initiative

L’Oréal group has announced the launch of its Bold Female Founders initiative designed to support female-led startups.

Bold Female Founders will focus on investment opportunities worldwide across the wider beauty ecosystem, including brands, beauty tech, biotech and green science.

The initiative was developed by L'Oreal's venture capital fund, Bold Business Opportunities for L’Oréal Development, through a dedicated initial allocation of €25 million. The funding is aligned with the group’s strategic commitment to promote gender equity.

Emphasised by L’Oréal, the investment is the latest step in its commitment to women’s empowerment. The news follows the recent announcement of L’Oréal's Rising Talent fellowships for women in science. 

Nicolas Hieronimus, CEO of L’Oréal group said: "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."

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."