Innovation Debrief 2025–2026

With eyes on 2025–2026, our annual report delves into 50 signals emerging from the margins.

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As we approach our 25th anniversary, this report uncovers 50 standout innovations – from collagen-infused jeans to sake tested in space – each paired with strategic insights.

In Mastering AI: A Survival Guide to Our Superpowered Future, Fortune’s AI editor Jeremy Kahn explores how AI excels at producing mainstream culture but misses the avant-garde – the unexpected, the strange, the deeply human. He told us: ‘That actually may put a premium on humans who can operate as artists on the avant-garde because that will seem very refreshing to people. It will be something they cannot get from AI. But the question is, how do people discover that?’

This report sets out to answer that question. Themes such as Mischief Marketing, Sober Socials and Resilient Appetites meet deeper reflections on accessibility, heritage and climate resilience. In an increasingly beige culture, we bring back the bold.

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Hair Reborn by Pantene and Zhou Yinghua, China-1 — Hair Reborn by Pantene and Zhou Yinghua, China

What's in the report?

The Innovation Debrief 2025–2026 is your annual field guide to the fringes of culture, commerce and creativity. Rather than chasing mainstream trends, it dives into unexpected spaces – from AI-powered beauty to pastries made from air – spotlighting where true innovation is happening.

The report is structured around 10 themed sections, each revealing new behaviours, business strategies and opportunities for bold brands.

It opens with Certified in Space, showcasing products tested or inspired by space. Think Japanese sake fermented in microgravity and Samsonite luggage launched to the stratosphere as markers of advanced craft and futuristic branding.

Mischief Marketing explores irreverent campaigns and rebellious brand behaviour, from Burger King hijacking Google Maps listings to Ikea’s cheeky 2:00am ‘U up?’ texts.

In The New Age of Discovery, the spotlight turns to how people find newness beyond search engines. This section dives into gamified retail, trust-based discovery channels and immersive brand universes like Rare Beauty’s newsletter and Walmart Unlimited.

Craftsmanship Safeguards champions brands acting as cultural stewards. Think Dior fusing Parisian fashion with Thai craft or Arc’teryx embedding Indigenous knowledge into technical apparel.

Automated Accessibility examines how AI is powering inclusive tools, from smart lipsticks to speech wearables, showing that accessible design can be innovative and emotional.

Walk Gently by Arc’teryx and Cole Sparrow-Crawford, Canada

With Sober Socials, nightlife goes daylight and alcohol-free. From reading parties to coffee shop raves, new third spaces are redefining social connection.

Collagen’s New Frontiers follows the ingredient's evolution across denim, shapewear and food and drink.

Resilient Appetites takes us into the future of food – lab-grown caviar, mooncakes made from air and 3D-printed plant-based calamari.

The Augmented Human unpacks the next generation of wearables that enhance cognition, mobility and emotional intelligence.

Finally, Nature’s New Language explores how innovators are giving eco-systems a voice with talking trees, symbiotic signals and bio-responsive design reframing our relationship with the planet.

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If you are a LS:N Global member, you can also access this report on LS:N Global here. Get in touch with a member of our team to discuss our membership packages and book a demo of LS:N Global today.

*This is a downloadable PDF report. Please consider the environment before printing.