Yes, application is free. However, any costs incurred in preparing your application are borne by the applicant.
2026
- Entries Now Open!
An award celebrating “innovation that makes people happier” in Asia’s beauty landscape
ASIA BEAUTYTECH AWARDS (ABTA) is an award program hosted by istyle Inc. that celebrates innovation in the beauty sector. The definition of beauty is rapidly expanding as fashion, wellness, medical care, and technology increasingly converge. At its core is the concept of longevity: enabling people to live healthier, more authentic lives.
Since launching in 2019 as the Japan BeautyTech Awards, the program has highlighted pioneering initiatives in Japan’s beauty field across six editions. Going beyond conventional ideas of beauty, it has consistently focused on “innovation that makes people happier,” recognizing 24 companies in total, from large enterprises to startups.
In January 2025, marking the 5th anniversary, past award recipients gathered at TiB (Tokyo Innovation Base) for the award ceremony and related events. You can read about the event in this article on @cosme for business (Japanese only).
In 2026, this award expands its scope to East Asia and accepts applications from companies offering products, services, or activities in at least one of the following markets: Japan, South Korea, Mainland China, Hong Kong, or Taiwan. As ASIA BEAUTYTECH AWARDS 2026, it will recognize “innovation that makes people happier” in beauty and beauty-adjacent fields.
As 2026 marks the first step for ASIA BEAUTYTECH AWARDS, We are truly excited to discover what innovations will emerge — our judges and team are eagerly looking forward to your applications.
AWARDS
Applications are evaluated across the following five criteria:
| Judging Theme | Content |
|---|---|
| Innovation | Does the concept bring new experiences and value? |
| Viability | Is there a business model that can sustain profitable operations? |
| Authenticity | Is there a compelling reason — “Why this company? Why now?” |
| Technical Excellence | Does it demonstrate a clear advantage in R&D or technology? (Non-tech innovations are also considered.) |
| Social Impact | Does it contribute to social value and sustainability? |
Application Tracks
Each applicant is automatically assigned to a track based on years since founding, group company affiliation, and annual revenue.
| Track | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Startup Track | Established less than 10 years ago AND (independent company OR group revenue less than ¥5 billion) |
| Enterprise Track | Established 10 years or more OR group revenue ¥5 billion or more |
- Company age is calculated from the date of corporate registration (or the business start date for sole proprietors).
Award Types
| Award | Selection Criteria | Number of Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Startup Track Grand Prize / Runner-up |
Startup Track 5 Finalists |
1 company each |
| Enterprise Track Grand Prize / Runner-up |
Enterprise Track 5 Finalists |
1 company each |
| Innovation Regional Award | Companies passing the preliminary screening (non-finalists, both tracks) |
1 company per region (up to 5) * Japan, South Korea, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan |
| Judges' Award | All preliminary round passers (including finalists) |
Number TBD (at judges' discretion) |
| Audience Award | All 10 finalists (both tracks) | 1 company |
- Regional eligibility for the Innovation Regional Award is based on the primary service region selected at the time of application. In regions with no applicable companies, no award recipient may be selected.
- Judges' Award recipients are selected by each judge from all companies that pass the preliminary screening (including finalists), based on each judge's own perspective. The number of awardees may vary at the discretion of the judging committee.
- The Audience Award is selected by votes from participants attending the venue on the day of the event. One company with the highest number of votes among the 10 finalists will be selected.
Prize Benefits
| Award | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| Startup Track Grand Prize | ¥1,000,000 |
| Startup Track Runner-up | ¥500,000 |
| Enterprise Track Grand Prize | ¥500,000 |
| Enterprise Track Runner-up | ¥250,000 |
In addition to prize money, the following benefits are provided:
- Individual feedback from one judge on the awards ceremony day (15 minutes per winning company)
- Individual interview article on industry media BeautyTech.jp (Japanese & English) (planned for January-March 2027)
- Networking with VCs and major beauty companies (primarily in Japan) on the awards ceremony day
-
Complimentary invitation to TBW Collective held in the same venue on the same day as the awards ceremony (up to 2 people per company)
- TBW (Tokyo Beauty Week) Collective is an evening standing reception where Japanese beauty industry professionals and influencers gather
[Audience Award]
- Networking with VCs and major beauty companies (primarily in Japan) on the awards ceremony day
- Complimentary invitation to TBW Collective held in the same venue on the same day as the awards ceremony (up to 2 people per company)
[Common to All Recipients / Including Innovation Regional Award and Judges' Award]
- Presentation of award trophy
- License to use the award badge on products, services, websites, etc.
- Press release distribution across Asian regions
[All Finalists (Grand Prize & Runner-up Candidates)]
- Display of eligible products/services at the venue (optional participation)
JUDGES
Our judging team evaluates “innovation that makes people happier” from their respective areas of expertise.
APPLY
Eligible Categories
"Products & Services," "Technologies," or "Projects" in the beauty sector (including fashion, healthcare, and related fields), or those expected to intersect with the beauty sector in the future
Eligible submissions must meet one of the following criteria:
- Released on or after January 1, 2026 (including information release, sales launch, or implementation start)
- Released by December 31, 2025, with ongoing sales or implementation on or after January 1, 2026
- Not released at the time of application, but can be released by the awards announcement date
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a corporation or individual proprietor
- Must provide eligible products or services in at least one market among Japan, South Korea, Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan (regardless of headquarters location)
How to Apply
Please apply through the designated application form (available only in English and Japanese). English is the recommended language for completion. Applications in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (Traditional/Simplified) are also accepted; in such cases, machine-translated content prepared by the secretariat will be used as review materials.
If one company submits multiple products or services, each submission will be evaluated independently. However, all submissions from the same company must fall within the same track.
SCHEDULE
- Application Period
- June 30 (Tue) - August 10 (Mon), 2026
- Preliminary Screening (Document Review)
AI Screening by Secretariat + Judges' Document Evaluation - August 13 (Thu) - September 11 (Fri), 2026
- Final Judging
Selection of Finalists (10 companies), Innovation Regional Award, and Judges' Award - Mid to Late September
- Finalist Announcement
Official announcement of Startup Track (5 companies) and Enterprise Track (5 companies) finalists - Late October - Early November
- Finalist Pitch & Awards Announcement
- November 19 (Thu), 2026
- For companies selected as finalists, the organizer will cover part of the costs related to on-site attendance and stage presentation on the event day (details will be provided separately).
- On the event day, the pitch presentation and all accompanying materials must be prepared in English, regardless of the applicant's native language.
- Innovation Regional Award recipients will be asked to record a short video message with their acceptance remarks (scheduled to be shown during the event).
Important Notes
- Application is free.
- If false or misleading information is detected in any submission, the application and any award may be cancelled.
- Appeals regarding judging results will not be accepted.
- Copyright of submitted content remains with the applicant. However, for publicity and archival purposes of this award, the organizer may request permission from the applicant to use the submitted content.
FAQ
About Applications
Is application free?
Can one company submit multiple products or services?
Yes, it is possible. Each product or service will be evaluated as a separate entry. However, all submissions must be within the same track (Startup or Enterprise).
How is my company's track determined?
Your track is automatically determined based on years of establishment, group company status, and annual revenue scale. The Startup Track is for companies “established less than 10 years ago AND (independent company OR group revenue less than ¥5 billion).” The Enterprise Track is for “established 10 years or more OR group revenue ¥5 billion or more.”
What language should I use for the application form?
English is recommended. Submissions in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (Traditional/Simplified) are also accepted; however, in such cases, the secretariat will use machine-translated content as review materials.
Can I apply if my headquarters is outside the eligible regions (Japan, South Korea, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan)?
Yes, headquarters location is irrelevant. You may apply as long as you provide products or services in at least one market among Japan, South Korea, Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
Can I apply with an unreleased or unpublished product?
Yes, as long as it can be released by the awards announcement date (November 19).
About Judging & Finalists
What are the judging criteria?
We judge from five perspectives: Innovation, Viability, Authenticity, Technical Excellence, and Social Impact. For details of the judging criteria, please click here.
What is the AI screening in the preliminary round?
In the preliminary round, AI scores all submissions based on the judging criteria (Innovation, Viability, Authenticity, Technical Excellence, and Social Impact) and generates a summary of each submission. The judges use these scores and summaries as supporting information to efficiently and comprehensively review all submissions. AI screening serves only as a judging aid; the final evaluation and selection are entirely performed by the judges.
How many companies are selected as finalists?
A total of 10 companies will be selected: 5 from the Startup Track and 5 from the Enterprise Track.
What happens if my company becomes a finalist?
You will be asked to deliver an English-language presentation before the judges and attendees on the awards ceremony day, November 19. Presentation materials must also be prepared in English. In addition, you may display your applied product or service at the venue on the day (optional participation). The organizers will cover a portion of the costs related to attendance and stage presentation (details will be provided separately).
How are Innovation Regional Award winners selected?
Among companies that passed the preliminary round but were not selected as finalists, the judges select one company from each market (Japan, South Korea, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan) that is considered most likely to make significant progress.
About Prize Benefits
When will prize money be paid?
Payment details will be provided after the awards announcement.
How can I use the award badge? Is there any fee?
After receiving your award, you may use the badge on your products, services, website, marketing materials, and more. Details will be provided by the secretariat. There is no usage fee.
Other
How can I contact you?
Please contact the ASIA BEAUTYTECH AWARDS 2026 Secretariat at i-abta2026@istyle.co.jp, or use this contact form.
CONTACT
ASIA BEAUTYTECH AWARDS 2026 Secretariat
Ark Mori Building 34F, 1-12-32 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-6034, Japan
Organized by: istyle Inc.