The ARC-PORATION technology that won at the L'Oréal Big Bang Open Innovation.

Beauty device and healthcare specialist company Easytem has been awarded the Minister of SMEs and Startups Award.

According to L'Oréal Korea, Easytem was selected as the winning team at the “K-Global Cluster with COME UP” event's “L'Oréal Big Bang Open Innovation,” held on the 8th. Easytem received the Minister’s Award in recognition of its technological capabilities and market potential.

The "L'Oréal Big Bang Open Innovation" is a startup nurturing program initiated by the L'Oréal Group in the North Asia region. This year, it was held in Korea based on the MOU signed between the L'Oréal Group and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups at “Viva Technology 2023” in June.

Lee Hae-wook, CEO of Easytem (center), receives the Minister of SMEs and Startups Award after being selected as the winning team at the "L'Oréal Big Bang Open Innovation." [Photo: L'Oréal Korea]

This event was held in a competition format, where SMEs presented solutions to beauty tech innovations posed by the L'Oréal Group.

In the competition, Easytem presented and explained its core technologies, including Arc-Poration (AP), Electroporation (EP), and the aesthetic multi-functional skincare device 'Cell-Rizer.'

Firstly, Arc-Poration is Easytem proprietary technology that uses arc discharge-based instantaneous high voltage (over 1kV) to create micro-holes in the skin. This technology promotes the absorption of active ingredients and, when applied to the skin’s stratum corneum, can produce direct cosmetic effects.

Electroporation, another key technology, utilizes an electric field to penetrate active ingredients into the skin. Compared to the widely used iontophoresis method, electroporation has several advantages, allowing for the customization of various technologies based on the characteristics of cosmetics and the product usage environment.

The 'Cell-Rizer' is a platform-type beauty device that integrates various beauty technologies such as RF (radio frequency), HIFU (high-intensity focused ultrasound), and ultrasound. Its greatest advantage lies in its unlimited scalability, enabling the addition or replacement of new technologies without upgrading the main unit. This flexibility allows for the incorporation of advanced, trend-aligned technologies and enables the configuration of technologies in compliance with regional and national regulations, facilitating entry into overseas markets.

As Easytem is recognized for its technological capabilities as a leading ODM (original design manufacturer) in the domestic beauty device industry, there are high expectations for the 'Cell-Rizer' to perform well in international markets.

As the winning company, Easytem will receive a range of opportunities, including △mentoring and access to global networks, △domestic and international technology validation and PoC (proof of concept), △support for policy funds (investment and loans), and △participation in international exhibitions.

Lee Hae-wook, CEO of Easytem, stated, "I am delighted that our technology has been recognized by the global program 'L'Oréal Big Bang Open Innovation,' yet I feel a weighty responsibility to promote the excellence of K-beauty in international markets. While our technology has been acknowledged in Korea as an ODM provider, our goal is to establish brand value recognition through our products in the global market."

Meanwhile, the "K-Global Cluster with COME UP," hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and organized by the Korea Institute for the Advancement of Technology, is a B2B and B2C exhibition held at S-Factory Building D in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, until the 10th. This event provides a platform for domestic startups, venture companies, and large corporations to share and discuss their technological innovation achievements with domestic and international clusters.

Source: iNews24, November 10, 2023.