FUTURE INNOVATORS PITCH CHALLENGE
Date
9 December 2026
Subject areas
Materials , Chemical Biology and Medicinal , General Interest
Location
Bradford, UK
Future Innovators Pitch Challenge 2026
The Future Innovators Pitch Challenge 2026 brings together students, researchers, academics and industry professionals to showcase emerging innovation across the cosmetic, formulation, pharmaceutical and chemical sciences.
Hosted at the University of Bradford, the challenge provides students and early-career researchers with an opportunity to present innovative research, technologies, formulations and product concepts directly to a panel of experienced industry professionals.
Participants will deliver a short pitch followed by questions and feedback from the industry judging panel. The challenge is designed to help participants develop their scientific communication and pitching skills, explore the commercial relevance of their research and build connections with professionals working across industry.
Who should participate?
Applications are welcomed from undergraduate and postgraduate students, PhD researchers and early-career researchers working in areas including:
- Cosmetic science
- Formulation science
- Pharmaceutical science
- Chemistry
- Materials science
- Skin and hair science
- Biotechnology
- Sustainable ingredients and technologies
- Analytical science
- Product and process innovation
- Related areas of chemical science
Projects may range from early-stage research and novel technologies to formulation concepts, sustainable solutions and innovations with potential industrial applications.
Why participate?
The event provides participants with an opportunity to:
- Showcase their work to industry experts
- Receive constructive feedback
- Develop scientific communication and pitching skills
- Explore the industrial and commercial potential of their ideas
- Network with scientists and professionals from academia and industry
- Increase visibility of their research and expertise
Universities are encouraged to nominate promising students, researchers and projects that demonstrate scientific innovation and potential industrial relevance.
Industry participation
The judging panel will bring together professionals from across the cosmetics, personal care, formulation and related industries.
Industry representatives will have the opportunity to discover emerging research and talent, contribute their expertise and strengthen links between academia and industry.
Intended audience
For the RSC form, I suggest selecting any applicable categories corresponding to:
- Undergraduate students
- Postgraduate students
- PhD students
- Early-career researchers
- Academics
- Industry scientists and professionals
- Chemical science professionals
RSC events are intended to connect participants across career stages and disciplines, which fits the structure of this challenge well.
Are you ready to pitch your innovation?
Join the Future Innovators Pitch Challenge and bring your research out of the laboratory and in front of industry.
Deadlines
Useful links
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University Expression of Interest
University Registration Form Help Us Identify Potential Participants Than
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Students & Researchers Expression of Interest
Registration Form Students & Researchers Thank you for your interest in p
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https://2ezzqk.share-eu1.hsforms.com/2Msf2kh30TS63
Become a Dragon, Sponsor or Industry Supporter Thank you for supporting th
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Cosmetics Cluster UK
Connecting the beauty industry value chain Cosmetics Cluster UK Ltd (CCUK)
Speakers
Faye Purcell
Ellipsis Brands
UK
Rada Ramsay
Unilever
UK
TBC
Croda
UK
Committees
Uyai Ikpatt
Croda
UK
Venu Vangala
University of Bradford
UK
Event details
Abstract Information
Participation in the Future Innovators Pitch Challenge 2026 is coordinated through participating universities.
Universities will be allocated a number of presentation slots and will be responsible for selecting the student or researcher projects they wish to put forward. The number of slots allocated to each university will depend on the overall level of university participation and the number of presentations that can be accommodated during the event.
Projects may be presented by an individual participant or a group, allowing each university flexibility according to how its courses, research projects and innovation activities are structured.
The Challenge welcomes innovative projects, research and concepts with relevance to the cosmetics and personal care industry, including work originating from cosmetic science, pharmaceutical science and chemistry, as well as innovations involving raw materials, surfactants, emulsions, processes and other technologies with potential cosmetic applications.
Abstract Details
Once participants have been selected by their university, the nominated individual or team will be asked to provide project information to the Organising Committee in advance of the event.
The submission should include:
· Project title
· Participant or team member names
· University
· Course, programme or research group
· Short project summary
· The challenge or opportunity being addressed
· Description of the innovation, research or concept
· Scientific basis of the project
· Potential application or impact
· Relevance to the cosmetics, personal care or related industries
The information will be shared with the industry judging panel ahead of the event, allowing judges time to familiarise themselves with the projects and prepare relevant questions and feedback. The Organising Committee discussed providing project information approximately one to two weeks before the event.
Project Selection Process
1. University participation
Universities first confirm their interest in participating in the Future Innovators Pitch Challenge 2026.
2. Presentation slots
The Organising Committee will allocate a number of presentation slots to each participating university once the overall level of interest is known.
3. Internal university selection
Each university will conduct its own selection process and determine which projects, students or research teams it wishes to nominate. This allows universities to put forward the projects they consider most appropriate for the Challenge.
4. Project submission
Selected participants will submit their project information and presentation materials to the Organising Committee in advance of the event.
5. Industry review
Project information will be provided to the industry judging panel ahead of the Challenge so that judges can understand the projects and prepare for the pitch and Q&A sessions.
Presentation Format
The format discussed by the Organising Committee is approximately:
10-minute pitch presentation
followed by:
5 minutes of questions, discussion and industry feedback.
Universities may nominate individual participants or teams for their allocated slots.
Deadlines
Registration for the Future Innovators Pitch Challenge is free for CCUK members and participating students.
Universities wishing to enter students or research teams must be members of Cosmetic Cluster UK (CCUK). Membership is charged once per institution per year. There is no additional event fee for nominated students or teams, and students are not required to purchase individual membership.
Each participating university will be allocated presentation slots and will select the projects or teams it wishes to nominate.
CCUK institutional membership fee: 550£ Membership: https://www.cosmeticsclusteruk.com/join-us Event registration: https://www.olallaconsulting.com/future-innovators-pitch-challenge
Deadlines
University of Bradford
TBC, University of Bradford, University of Bradford Bradford,, Richmond Rd, Bradford, BD7 1DP, UK
Venue details URL
