Haut.AI raises €2m to expand skincare B2B SaaS

Haut.AI raises €2m to expand skincare B2B SaaS Eleanor Garth

LongeVC backs generative AI company that uses SkinGPT and hyper-personalized solutions to tackle skin aging.

Haut.AI, an Estonian-based European generative AI startup developing next-gen AI for skin aging and skincare intelligence tools such as Skin and Hair SaaS and SkinGPT, has announced that it has raised €2 million ($2.17m) in seed funding.

The funding comes from biotech and longevity VC LongeVC, and the VC arm of Grupo Boticário shareholders – a prominent beauty conglomerates. Haut.AI plans to use the investment to support the expansion and scale of its no-code skincare e-commerce personalization software, and developing its multimodal generative AI for skin analysis.

Longevity.Technology: Haut (which means skin in German) continues on its upward trajectory; it has partnered with Beiersdorf and Ulta Beauty, the largest beauty retailer in the US, and earlier this year, it announced its inclusion in the Pegasus Program and welcomed XPRIZE founder and longevity heavyweight Peter Diamandis to its Board of Advisors. Haut.AI researchers have also published papers in skincare AI and developed a popular software solution used by over one hundred skincare R&D centers and sellers worldwide.

Its scientifically-backed tech offers rich functionality with easy-to-integrate software, making it possible for retailers, brands, and clinics to offer precise digital skin analysis and personalized product recommendations in-store and online.

Boasting one of the world’s most expansive balanced skin imaging datasets, Haut.AI can leverage more than 150 biomarkers, 3+ million images and over billion data points, which include synthetic data, ensuring skin diversity. As well as developing AI and skincare intelligence that is unbiased and equitable, Haut.AI has been using multiple forms of generative AI, including Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), since 2016. This early adoption of generative AI allowed the company to gain expertise in high-quality synthetic data generation for training and experimentation, and in May 2023, Haut.AI announced SkinGPT, a novel virtual skincare try-on that enables image-to-image simulation of any skin condition using clinical claims. Haut.AI also uses GenerativeAI to check its system for biases as a part of its ethical AI commitment.

“At Haut.AI, we’re not just enhancing skincare commerce with generative AI – we’re redefining it,” says said Anastasia Georgievskaya, co-founder and CEO. “Using cutting-edge AI, we’ve transformed the simple act of taking a selfie into a high-touchpoint experience for online businesses that combines a powerful diagnostic tool followed by a curated product discovery journey. Our commitment goes beyond providing personalized skincare recommendations. We’re democratizing access to precise skincare analysis, ensuring our partners can serve everyone, regardless of age, gender, or geography. We envision a world where skincare isn’t about guessing; it’s about brands understanding the uniqueness of their customers shopping online and delivering a data-driven experience that benefits both brands by increasing sales and customers who get better value for money,” .

Garri Zmudze, a managing partner of LongeVC, said: “Haut.AI’s cutting-edge tech will underpin the next generation of skin health, from early detection to diagnostics to personalized care. As they advance, anticipate game-changing solutions that tackle real skin challenges. Anastasia and her team are pioneering the use of artificial intelligence for the health of our skin and bringing it to more customers worldwide through their major retailer and brand partnerships.”

Paulo Braga from Grupo Boticário’s shareholders’ VC arm said: “In Haut.AI, we see not just a startup but the future of skin wellness. Anastasia and her team have a compelling vision and the technology to back it. The way people buy cosmetics online today is similar to the experience of buying electronics or books but the customer journey is far from being equal. We’re excited to be part of their journey.”

Anastasia Georgievskaya, CEO and co-founder of Haut.AI, told Longevity.Technology that the company hopes its approach will produce a shift in skincare mindset.

“Our research has shown that using basic and widely available skincare products can significantly improve skin quality,” she said. “This led us to question why marketing, rather than actual results, predominantly influences skincare decisions. Our aim is to contribute to a shift from traditional skincare practices influenced by marketing rather than results. We employ state-of-the-art AI, including our SkinGPT, trained on extensive datasets to continue with this pursuit.

“With Generative AI backed by R&D and a commitment to consistency, our tools can provide more democratized skincare solutions. They enable us to identify skin features with super-human precision, not only ensuring customers are matched with products tailored to their exact needs but also offering a tracking mechanism of up to 90 days of user history. This enhances hyper-personalization and fosters consumer engagement and habituation to skincare routines. Our holistic approach extends beyond typical treatments, aligning with the evolving global perspective on skincare as a comprehensive science that considers factors such as UV exposure, pollutants, aging patterns, lifestyle, and other preferences.”

Sergey Jakimov, co-founder and managing partner of LongeVC, told Longevity.Technology that investing in Haut.AI aligns with LongeVC’s focus on innovative health solutions that are easily accessible.

“What sets Haut.AI apart is its ability to offer advanced skincare personalisation without complicating existing frameworks or platforms,” he said. “This means consumers can effortlessly access tailored skin health solutions, whether learning about, purchasing, or using these products. It’s a significant step in enhancing the consumer journey in skincare, making personalised health care more intuitive and integrated into daily routines.”

Haut.AI is set to announce more products and partnerships soon.

Photographs courtesy of Haut.AI / LongeVC

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