<h1>Finalists named for national beauty-innovation competition; legal tips on IP, prize terms, confidentiality, and commercial agreements</h1> A global beauty company, a leading online retailer, and a government startup initiative announced finalists for a national beauty-innovation competition featuring three categories (pre-launch concepts, in-market brands, and breakthrough innovations). Thirteen finalists will pitch on October 7, with winners receiving mentorship, national visibility, distribution and brand-building support, and a prize pool of up to $500,000; a new jury award will recognize a woman entrepreneur. Legal considerations for participants include prize and funding terms, intellectual property and licensing arrangements, confidentiality of pitches, and commercial/ distribution agreements tied to mentorship and marketplace access.