L’Oréal is bringing again its Large Bang Magnificence Tech Innovation Program for 2026 after Australian startup Heatseeker was named certainly one of final 12 months’s regional winners.
Heatseeker took one of the top spots in L’Oréal’s 2025 Large Bang Magnificence Tech Innovation Program after being chosen from 1000’s of startups throughout the South Asia Pacific, Center East and North Africa. The corporate was the one Australian startup among the many winners.
Heatseeker is now piloting its buyer intelligence platform with L’Oréal Australia and New Zealand after progressing by this system.
Co-founded in 2023 by Kate O’Keeffe, Fiona Triaca and former Atlassian government Rutger Coolen, Heatseeker makes use of AI and dwell market testing to assist firms measure how prospects truly reply to merchandise, branding and campaigns earlier than launch.
The startup additionally raised $2.3 million in a pre-seed round last year, because it targeted on pushing additional into the US market.
Two different Australian startups additionally reached the finalist stage in final 12 months’s competitors: NewEra Bio, which develops bio-based hair dyes, and Springboards.ai, which develops AI instruments for promoting groups.
What L’Oréal is in search of in its 2026 startup program
The 2026 version of is now open to startups working throughout classes reminiscent of AI-powered commerce, creator instruments, linked model experiences and sustainability-focused expertise.
Winners obtain the chance to develop business pilots with L’Oréal manufacturers, alongside mentorship from firm executives and companions.
The corporate says seven startups from earlier editions of this system have now progressed to business pilot initiatives with L’Oréal manufacturers.
“We’re in search of AI powered commerce options, expertise to reinforce the linked model expertise, the subsequent frontier platforms for creators, science options for magnificence and innovation for good,” L’Oréal Australia and New Zealand Chief Digital and Advertising and marketing Officer, Georgia Hack, stated.
Applications shut on July 3 forward of regional finals later this 12 months.
