Registration is now open for the upcoming ‘Cosmetic Innovation – From Idea to Impact’. Organised by the Centre for Applied Bioscience Research (CABR) and Centre for Advanced Photonics & Process Analysis (CAPPA), “Cosmetic Innovation – From Idea to Impact” is a half-day event (as part of MTU’s Innovation and Enterprise Month 2025), where you will hear insights from nationwide experts on various aspects of building and growing a successful cosmetics business in Ireland.
Join to hear from expert panels, presentations, and talks on topics such as formulation, manufacturing, research and development, regulations, and product launch. The event will also outline what kinds of support are available for cosmetics businesses in Ireland.
Speakers at the event will include cosmetics industry experts and representatives from state business support agencies, such as Enterprise Ireland, Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers programme, and the Local Enterprise Offices.
Date and time
Friday, March 28 · 10am – 2pm GMT
Location
MTU Kerry (North Campus), Tralee
Agenda
10:00 – 10:30 – Arrival/Networking
10:30 – 10:40 – Welcome
10:40 – 11:10 – Enterprise supports for starting and scaling your cosmetics business
This expert panel will guide the attendees through engagement with the Local Enterprise Office and Enterprise Ireland as well as supports available such as the New Frontiers Programme. Doctrine Skincare, established in 2021 will give their experience of navigating this system. Panelists: Local Enterprise Office (TBC) Doctrine Skincare – Tracey Ryan (Co-founder), Enterprise Ireland – Rachael James (Senior Development Advisor), New frontiers Programme, MTU – Niamh Kennedy (Programme Manager)
11:10 – 11:40 – Formulation and manufacturing of cosmetic products
Shane Cornally is the Sales and Business Development Director at Innov8Labs, a cGMP health, beauty, and cosmetic manufacturing company specialising in the formulation of products that people believe in. Innov8Labs collaborates with leading personal care brands and retailers across a range of categories, including cosmetics, sunless tanning, skincare, oral care, and cosmeceuticals.
11:40 – 12:10 – Sustainability in cosmetic product development
Louise French is a Business Consultant delivering valuable support and guidance in the areas of Sustainability Strategy & Planning, Organisation Behaviour and Change Management. With a proven ability in creating sustainable solutions, innovative initiatives and competitive advantages while maintaining a strong commercial awareness.
12:10 – 12:30 – Coffee/Networking
12:30 – 13:00 – Regulation
H2 Compliance offers services across Europe and beyond and provides bespoke solutions for our customers current and future needs, linked to the circular economy, and enabling them to focus on their core business. Mary Kerley is a Regulatory Chemical Consultant in H2 Compliance and will address regulatory compliance requirements in the cosmetics sector.
13:00 – 13:30 – Research, Development and Innovation
MTU hosts four Technology Gateways, two of which have specific expertise related to cosmetic products: the Centre for Applied Bioscience Research (CABR) and the Centre for Advanced Photonics and Process Analysis (CAPPA). At our upcoming event, the teams from CABR and CAPPA will discuss their capabilities, key considerations for research collaborations, and available funding mechanisms.
13:30 – 14:00 – Expert Panel: Things I wish I’d known! (Development of a cosmetics company)
A panel of established cosmetics brands will discus the development of their company, issues they had to deal with and guidance for new and existing cosmetics companies. Panellists include: Peigin Crowley (Owner, GROUND Wellbeing) and Garrett Moran (Senior Director Global Regulatory Affairs, Oriflame).
14:00 – 15:00 – Lunch/networking
The CABR Technology Gateway is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-27.