LUUM

Setting the Scene

For decades, eyelash extensions have been manually applied, a method fraught with inefficiencies and risks.
- The process is extremely inefficient as the application takes hours to complete.
- There’s a high liability and hygienic risk involved with humans operating metal tools near the eyes.
- Eyelash artists often have reduced career longevity because the labor is extremely intensive.
This week’s company is transforming the beauty industry with robotic and AI-powered technology to apply eyelash extensions, making the process faster, safer, and more consistent.

LUUM is a beauty services robotics company that applies eyelash extensions through an AI-powered machine.

Application: LUUM uses advanced robotics to apply eyelash extensions, significantly reducing the time and effort required compared to manual methods.
AI-Powered Robotics: LUUM’s technology leverages artificial intelligence to ensure precision and consistency, enhancing both the safety and quality of the traditional process.

Similar to how a self-driving car replaces manual human control, LUUM’s robotic lash technician takes the driver’s seat in eyelash application to enhance efficiency, safety, and user experience.

Headquarters: San Francisco, CA
Employee Count: 50+
Investors:

Foundation Capital, XSeed Capital, Ulta Beauty, Artifact Capital
Funding amount: $17.5 million
Business model: Shop-in-Shop model within established beauty retailers
Early traction: Successful pilot with Ulta Beauty, 90%+ booking rates, and over 1800 sessions completed, 1230 salons on a waitlist for pre-orders

Market Opportunity: The U.S. eyelash extension and services industry is surprisingly large and poised for further growth, making LUUM's proposition a potential winner-take-all.
- LUUM also has opportunities to expand their robotic technology into other segments of the beauty salon industry, which is valued at $155B.
Enhanced Safety Features: LUUM’s AI-powered robotic technology ensures maximum client safety with innovative features such as a feather-light wands with flexible ends that automatically disengage if it detects movement.
Intellectual Property: LUUM has built a strong competitive moat with 48 awarded patents across 25 countries, securing its innovative technology and providing a significant barrier to entry for potential competitors.

Business Model: Although LUUM’s pilot was successful in providing robotic eyelash extension services directly to customers within a partnered beauty retailer setting, the shift to a shop-in-shop rental model remains untested in the market.
Consumer Hesitancy: Market adoption may be hindered by consumer reliance on trusted eyelash specialists and potential discomfort or unease with a machine-based application process, necessitating efforts for education.
Potential Technological Failures: As with any advanced technology, there is a risk of unforeseen technical issues or malfunctions, making upkeep and reliability critical to maintaining client trust and satisfaction.

Nathan Harding: CEO and CTO, previously co-founded Ekso Bionics (NASDAQ: EKSO).
Rachel Gold: CMO, previously help lead strategy at Elephant, VCCP, and Adobe.
Kurt Amundson: VP Engineering, previously at Ekso Bionics and experienced in robotic-human interactivity.
Lynn Heublein: Served as Chairperson until recently.

10 Beauty: Backed by Lerer Hippeau, Shine Capital, Imaginary Ventures, and Red Sea Ventures.
Clockwork: Backed by Initialized Capital, MVP Ventures, Pipeline Capital, and others.

By bringing a faster, safer, and more consistent process to lashing through patented robotics and AI, LUUM is making a sleepy industry blink.