Sephora names participants for 2022 Accelerate incubator program

By

Jennifer Braun

Published
Dec 12, 2021

Sephora announced on Friday the participants for its 2022 Accelerate brand incubator program. 

The program, which provides a robust curriculum, mentorship, merchandising support, potential funding and investor connections, will give all participants the opportunity to launch at Sephora upon completion of the program. 

Now in its seventh year, Sephora has reshaped the brand incubator program to focus on mentoring founders of color solely. The shift reflects Sephora’s commitment to increasing BIPOC representation in prestige beauty and in its own assortment. 

“We are committed to ensuring that the brands and products found at Sephora represent all the colors, races, and ethnicities that make up America, effectively building a beauty community to which everyone feels they belong,” said Priya Venkatesh, SVP merchandising, skincare and hair, Sephora. 

“To do so, it’s important that brand founders of all backgrounds have the opportunity and resources they need to grow their businesses and thrive. Through the Accelerate program, Sephora is committed to giving founders the long-term mentorship, access to market and scale they need to truly accelerate growth, with the program serving as a springboard for nascent brands to become visible, viable, stable, and financially solvent.”

This year's cohort boasts 10 brands across skincare, makeup, haircare, and for the first time ever — fragrance. The cohort includes: Basma Beauty, Fara Homidi, House of Foster, Lion Pose, Kempt, Mango People, Miss Rizos, Shaz & Kiks, Sistine and Wonder Curl.  

The program kicks off in March, followed by a bootcamp in April and a final graduation scheduled for late May or early June. 

“We are thrilled to welcome all 2022 finalists to the Accelerate program and into the Sephora family,” added Venkatesh. “We know that business growth in communities of color creates jobs, opportunity, stability and generational wealth – having the potential for decades of positive impact. With the program’s focus on BIPOC-owned brands, Sephora is committed to making a difference.”