Taco Bell Foundation Opens Applications for 2026 Live Más Scholarship to Empower Future Dreamers
Taco Bell Foundation has opened applications for its 11th annual Live Más Scholarship, calling on dreamers, doers and cultural rebels to apply. The program is aimed at fueling young people’s ambitions by supporting their educational and career goals, especially for those who might take unconventional paths.
For the 2026 cycle, the application window runs from October 14, 2025, to January 6, 2026. Applicants must be between the ages of 16-26. Rather than focusing on grades or standardized test scores, the selection emphasizes the applicant’s passion, how they pursue it, the change they hope to make, and alignment with the “Live Más” spirit.
The scholarship offers more than just financial support: recipients gain access to a community, mentorship, and resources to further their goals. Furthermore, previous awardees can apply for renewal (up to three times), provided they meet the eligibility criteria, such as being actively enrolled and having used or substantially depleted their prior scholarship funds. If selected, award notifications are expected around April 2026.
Learn more here.
Ulta Beauty Unveils UB Marketplace
Ulta Beauty has launched UB Marketplace, a curated third-party platform integrated into its existing website and mobile app, aimed at broadening its product selection in beauty, wellness, and adjacent lifestyle categories. The marketplace is powered by Mirakl and features unified search, cart, checkout, and returns. Importantly, Ulta is opening the platform only to invited brands to maintain quality and consistency.
At launch, more than 100 new brands are available through UB Marketplace, spanning emerging and established niches such as wellness, global beauty, grooming, luxury, and beauty tech. Some of the brands named include Manucurist, Apotheke, Oars + Alps, Nuxe, and Saturday Skin. Ulta plans to scale the assortment significantly over the next 12–18 months while ensuring the platform complements its core categories.
Ulta frames UB Marketplace as a strategic element of its “Ulta Beauty Unleashed” growth agenda: the new channel provides faster access to innovative trends, deeper category authority, and more discovery for customers while leveraging Ulta’s existing loyalty, fulfillment, and retail infrastructure. Brands interested in participating must be invited or apply to meet Ulta’s quality and performance criteria.
Learn more here.
Cool Sips Introduces Mad Scientist Soda Labs
Cool Sips, a New York City–based “dirty soda” concept, is launching a special Halloween activation called Mad Scientist Soda Labs. The event invites guests to play mixologist by using a check-sheet menu of syrups, fizzy bases, and playful mix-ins to build their own spooky, colorful sodas.
Themed décor—including test tubes, bubbling syrups, a photo wall, and candy stations—will heighten the immersive experience at its SoHo and Upper East Side locations. The takeover is scheduled to run from October 19 to November 2, giving patrons about two weeks to enjoy the activation.
This Halloween offering underscores Cool Sips’ positioning as a creative, experiential beverage brand. By enabling customers to customize their drinks in a fun, thematic environment, the brand aims to deepen engagement and differentiate itself in the crowded specialty beverage space.
Learn more here.