Empowering Visionary Beauty Founders
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Program Summary
Introducing LIFT Beauty Accelerator, Rare Beauty Brands’ incubation initiative dedicated to bridging the funding gap for beauty brand entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds.
Participants will have the unique opportunity to forge a deep connection with our vibrant community, fostering a genuine bond that extends beyond business. This support includes non-dilutive cash funding, practical hands-on mentoring from Rare Beauty Brands and partners, and a 1-Year membership in B.B.C. Moreover, winners will gain the invaluable opportunity to present their brands directly to leading national retailer JCPenney for potential distribution.
WHAT WE OFFER
In 2024, the LIFT Beauty Accelerator will offer five early-stage beauty brands from underrepresented communities practical resources, a network, and advice necessary to fulfill their potential.
Non-Dilutive Funding
- Minimum of $10,000 to each of our five program-winning brands.
Retail Opportunities
- Opportunity to pitch JCPenney for potential in-store or online product distribution
- B.B.C. – 1 Year Membership and placement in Chicago & Los Angeles storefronts
Practical Mentorship
- Cross-functional team of industry experts from Rare Beauty Brands and our Partners
- A focus on operational support (i.e. acquiring UPC codes) vs. branding and marketing strategy.
- More of a focus on real-time coaching than an established curriculum
In Kind Services
- Claims support testing Benchmarking Co.
- Product testing Validated Claims Support
- Product registration The Good Face Project
- Retail Support Software & VOB BeautyFluent
- 1-Year Membership Independent Beauty Association
PREVIOUS WINNERS
Kim Roxie
Lamik Lamik“Winning gave me so much confidence to know my customers really want to see us Grow and Expand! The money we won went straight to the production and preparation to launch onto the major retailer’s website without hesitation! To be honest, the best part of winning the competition was having the Rare Beauty Brands team on my side.”
Jordan Karim
Flora & Noor Flora & Noor“The program was amazing and provided incredible support in scaling my business. The Rare Beauty Brands team has continued to be there for me for support and collaboration and I’m so grateful. I couldn’t recommend the program enough!”
Halima Wyatt
Bath Notes Bath Notes“The team at Rare Beauty Brands has been instrumental in preparing my business for the next level. The team’s unwavering support, responsiveness, and deep knowledge have made every step of the journey smoother. Their genuine dedication and expertise have been invaluable assets to my growth and success.”
SPONSORS
TITLE SPONSORS
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
SELECTION CRITERIA
A panel of industry experts and representatives from Rare Beauty Brands, JCPenney, and other sponsors will carefully evaluate each application based on several criteria, including:
Business Concept and Product
Applicants will be assessed on the uniqueness, innovation, and market potential of their beauty brand and product offerings.
Founder's Vision and Passion
The judges will consider the founder’s passion, drive, and commitment to building a successful and impactful beauty brand.
Potential For Future Growth
The judging panel will evaluate the scalability and potential for growth of each applicant’s business model and product line.
FAQs
LIFT Beauty Accelerator is an incubation program designed to support innovative and inspirational beauty brand founders, with a focus on founders from underrepresented communities. Through comprehensive training, resources, and mentorship, the program equips participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to build and sustain successful businesses.
The program is open to people who meet the following criteria:
- Black and Brown Female-Identifying beauty brand founders.
- Represented brands must have a product or service currently for sale in the market with between $10,000 and $1 million in annual revenue.
- Brands must be based and sold in the U.S.
- Founders must be US citizens, aged 18+, and currently residing in the US.
- Have a strong desire to grow their business.
- Previous applicants, excluding winners, are welcome to re-apply.
Applications are currently closed for 2024. Applications were open from June 3, 2024, at 10 am EST to July 18, 2024 at 5 pm EST. Visit this page for our 2025 program information.
A panel of industry experts and representatives from Rare Beauty Brands, JCPenney, and other sponsors will carefully evaluate each application based on several criteria, including:
- Business Concept and Product: Applicants will be assessed on the uniqueness, innovation, and market potential of their beauty brand and product offerings.
- Founder’s Vision and Passion: The judging panel will consider the founder’s passion, drive, and commitment to building a successful and impactful beauty brand.
- Growth Potential: The judging panel will evaluate the scalability and potential for growth of each applicant’s business model and product line.
The selection process aims to identify the most promising and innovative beauty brands led by passionate and dedicated founders who align with the program’s values and objectives.
Round 1: Applications will be open June 3, 2024, 10 am EST, and July 18, 2024, at 5 pm EST.
Round 2: Finalists will be notified in August 2024, and presentations with a live judging panel will take place in September.
The winners will be announced on or around September 23, 2024.
No, there is no cost for participants to submit their application or to participate in the program.
Apart from the application process, the mentoring part of the program is flexible to your unique needs as a brand. We don’t have a set “curriculum” and we will collaborate with you to determine how we can help you the best.
FOLLOW OUR PROGRAM