<h1>Cosmetics company selects 19 startups for North Asia innovation program, launching pilots in AI, biotech, circular packaging and sustainability</h1> A multinational cosmetics company reported its North Asia open-innovation program selected 19 startup winners from over 700 applicants at a major trade expo, announcing pilot collaborations, a sustainability acceleration track, and cross-border showcases integrating AI, biotech and circular packaging solutions. The initiative advances commercial partnerships, potential technology transfers, and supply-chain pilots that may raise IP, licensing, product-safety and regulatory compliance considerations across jurisdictions. The program's acceleration and pilot deployments could accelerate market entry for startups while creating contractual, data-sharing and sustainability-reporting obligations for both parties and implicate corporate procurement, environmental claims and commercialization risk management.