OSAZ, a rising beauty-tech startup founded by scientist, engineer, and entrepreneur Osazomon Imarenezor, is shaking up the beauty industry with its data-driven approach to skincare. Backed by a new partnership with Techstars, OSAZ is emerging as a disruptor in the industry, using cutting-edge technology to create data-driven skincare solutions for underrepresented skin types. This collaboration between OSAZ and Techstars marks a pivotal moment for the beauty industry, which has long been valued at billions yet has only scratched the surface of what AI can achieve.
Born and raised in South Chicagoland to Nigerian immigrant parents, Imarenezor’s journey into beauty-tech is rooted in her passion for science, technology, and cosmetics. While she initially embarked on a PhD in Biomedical Sciences, Imarenezor decided to switch gears, leaving the program to secure a Master’s degree instead. This transition kicked off her two-year analysis on West African and U.S. skin diseases. It was during this period of research that she identified a significant gap preventing her work from advancing—the lack of effective solutions tailored to melanin-rich skin types. This realization became the foundation of OSAZ, launched in 2022 with a mission to close this gap using AI-powered, personalized skincare formulations.
The partnership with Techstars, a leading global accelerator, is a testament to the promise and potential of OSAZ’s technology. Despite an initial rejection, Imarenezor’s persistence led to OSAZ securing sponsorship in 2024, a milestone for the company and a significant endorsement of its vision. Techstars’ backing not only brings funding but also access to an expansive network of advisors and investors, fast-tracking OSAZ’s path to scale.
At the core of OSAZ’s innovation is its proprietary Formulation as a Service (FaaS) platform—a B2B software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution that enables beauty and pharmaceutical brands to streamline product development, optimize customer experiences, and improve demand forecasting. By integrating AI and data analytics, OSAZ helps brands launch products more efficiently, reducing development timelines while ensuring products are tailored to multicultural markets. This data-driven approach eliminates much of the guesswork that has traditionally plagued the beauty industry, where trial-and-error methods often result in wasted time and resources.
“We want to push technology, we want to push beauty,” Imarenezor says, encapsulating the company’s mission. The FaaS platform draws on a wealth of data from melanin-rich skin, enabling more precise formulations for common concerns like hyperpigmentation, aging, and acne. Early successes include a complexion-friendly mineral SPF, a dark spot cream with 5% Cysteamine Hydrochloride, and an anti-aging retinoic acid cream—each designed with inclusivity and efficacy at its core.
OSAZ’s entry into Techstars’ global program also signals the broader industry’s recognition of the role AI can play in shaping the future of beauty. For years, the industry has relied on broad-stroke solutions, often overlooking the distinct needs of diverse skin types. But with OSAZ’s data-centric model, the future looks more personalized, efficient, and inclusive. By enabling brands to harness AI in their product development processes, OSAZ is also helping to minimize waste—both in terms of time and materials—by ensuring that products meet consumer demands with greater accuracy.
The company’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. As a Black female founder in tech, Imarenezor has faced the hurdles of breaking into an industry where representation is still lacking. However, her tenacity and technical background have positioned her as a trailblazer. With Techstars’ support, OSAZ is expanding its reach from its U.S. base to Lagos, Nigeria, and beyond, targeting underrepresented communities across Africa, Brazil, and India.
Beyond product development, OSAZ is committed to fostering the next generation of beauty-tech talent. Imarenezor is organizing hackathons in both the U.S. and Nigeria, with a prize pool of over 12.5 million naira, to encourage innovation at the intersection of beauty and technology. This initiative reflects her broader vision for OSAZ—to not only create better products but to inspire a new wave of tech-savvy entrepreneurs who can continue driving change in the industry.
While Imarenezor’s technical achievements are impressive, her background offers some unexpected personal connections that further illuminate her trajectory. She attended the same high school as YouTube’s co-founder, and both share the same birthday, hinting at a shared destiny with tech innovation. These coincidental ties further highlight the sense of purpose that has fueled her pursuit of combining beauty with technology.
With the beauty-tech space still in its early stages, Imarenezor’s vision is both timely and bold. OSAZ is setting the stage for a more equitable future, where skincare is no longer one-size-fits-all but instead personalized to the unique needs of every individual. As the company continues to grow under Techstars’ mentorship, the beauty industry is poised for a transformation, led by data-driven solutions that put inclusivity at the forefront.
By empowering its community with tailored skincare solutions and leveraging AI to optimize beauty routines, OSAZ is not just shaping the future of beauty—it’s revolutionizing it. As Imarenezor puts it, “Our vision is clear: to empower our community with tailored skincare solutions that truly address the needs of diverse consumer bases.” With Techstars backing and a clear roadmap for global expansion, OSAZ is well on its way to becoming a leader in the burgeoning beauty-tech industry.
