The Sephora Accelerate Program is a month-long global initiative which can open up the way for budding female beauty entrepreneurs and help them thrive in the beauty industry through the help of this exclusive incubator-like business program.
The beauty industry is predominantly female, but the majority of female brand founders are underrepresented and this programme aims to reverse that trend by encourage more women and enabling them with new skills to succeed in the beauty community.
“Australia is home to so many beauty brands that are known both here and around the world,” said Sephora Australia Country General Manager Libby Amelia. “We’ve been crusading to have Australia a part of this global initiative, and are so proud that in 2018/19 we can. This is the opportunity of a lifetime and we can’t wait to see who we discover.”
The 2018/19 applications will focus on:
- Merchandising: makeup, hair, skin product
- Technology: digital, retail tech, and apps
- Sustainability: green packaging, biodegradable
The head of social impact and sustainability for Sephora US, Corrie Conrad, said “One of the key elements of the Accelerate program is that these businesses are committed to the greater good in some way. That can be through responsible sourcing through the supply side and the way these companies are using their strengths for the greater good.”
Applications are open to candidates from Canada, US, Mexico, France, Brazil, China, and Australia.
For those who are invited to take part the initiation starts with an expenses-paid “boot camp” in San Francisco that will last for a week. Participants will attend market analysis, business structuring, growth plans, and funding strategies seminars.
The following week will teach each founder to tackle business challenges and growth through six months one-on-one mentoring with the experts. Expect a second trip to SanFo for “Demo Day,” which is a pitch presentation day where entrepreneurs will present their company to the experts and potential investors for the chance to take their ventures to the next level.
Aside from the trip, all founders will receive an amount of $5,000USD with the chance to unlock all additional grants and funding.
Conrad emphasised that the Accelerate Program isn’t a competition–no winners, and no losers–as everyone will be learning something from the experience.
Applications are now open until November 10th, 2018. The final global cohort shall be announced on 8th March 2019 to celebrate the International Women’s Day.
If you’re interested, apply here: www.sephorastands.com/accelerate
