Photo: Нурлан Шлюмбаев / Pexels
PROYA is accepting applications for the Blue Buff Technology Innovation Challenge until November 15, 2026. The competition is open to startups, sole proprietors, university teams and research teams: participants will be able to discuss their work with experts and explore opportunities to collaborate. Projects at various stages are welcome, including early ideas and prototypes (bluebuff.proya-group.com).
Who can apply
Experience in the beauty industry is not required. PROYA welcomes teams from different sectors whose technology addresses a clear problem and comes with a convincing plan for testing it.
Individuals, founding teams, universities and research groups can apply. Applications must identify the person responsible, team members’ roles and any necessary permissions.
A finished product is not required either. The organizers will consider ideas, prototypes and solutions under development. They will assess how clearly the problem is defined, whether the technical approach is feasible and how the team plans to test it further.
What support is available
Participants are offered discussions of real business challenges and meetings with technical and business experts. These conversations will help clarify potential uses for the technology, its strengths and the next experiments to run.
Selected teams will take part in expert discussions and receive help preparing their presentations. The organizers will clarify the specific forms of support separately in conversations with prospective finalists.
Further collaboration may include testing the solution, research or procurement. The parties will discuss terms, resources and timelines separately, taking into account the project’s maturity and their respective needs.
What projects are eligible
The competition has four main areas: artificial intelligence in business processes, brand development, manufacturing and supply, and research into ingredients and efficacy. For example, an AI solution could connect data, improve workflows or support decision-making.
Applicants can propose their own challenge outside these areas. The organizers welcome technologies, materials, products and services, including those from outside the beauty industry.
How to apply
- Review the competition areas and choose the most suitable one, or define your own challenge.
- Describe the problem, your solution and the results so far. Prepare information about the team and evidence appropriate to the project’s stage.
- Check contact details, the summary, attachments and demonstration links. Clearly distinguish completed work from assumptions.
- Submit the application before the deadline and save the project number along with the submission confirmation.
- Track the application’s status in My Projects and provide additional materials on request.
Submission confirmation means the materials have been delivered. Eligibility checks and application assessment take place after that.
What documents to prepare
A project document is required, covering a brief overview, the technical approach, supporting evidence, the team’s expertise and a plan for testing the solution. For research projects, it helps to clearly explain the methodology, limitations and conditions required.
Up to eight attachments are allowed in PDF, PNG or JPG format. Each file must be no larger than 50 MB. Demonstration videos must be provided as links.
Do not upload complete formulas, source code or sensitive data without permission to share them. Materials for public presentations should be kept separate from information intended only for experts.
When applications close and how selection works
Applications are accepted until the end of November 15, 2026, Beijing time. The deadline was previously October 31; the organizers extended the application period to give teams more time to prepare.
Experts assess the problem, the solution’s novelty, evidence appropriate to the project’s stage and the team’s capabilities. Selected projects will move on to a second round featuring demonstrations, expert discussion and questions and answers.
The format, date and location of the final presentation will be announced separately. At the final, teams will present their solution, results to date and future plans.
What to check before submitting
A clear description of the problem and evidence of results will help experts assess the project. Be honest about limitations, explain the next steps and keep contact details up to date.
To compare the terms of other programs, see Fund for Innovation in Development and AI for Good Innovation Factory.
After submitting, the next step is to monitor My Projects and messages from the organizers. Requests for additional materials and further instructions will appear there.
