In a groundbreaking move, beauty retail giant Sephora announces the eight exceptional BIPOC brand founders selected for its highly anticipated 2024 Accelerate program. Now in its ninth year, this program stands as a key incubator for emerging beauty businesses, offering an immersive curriculum, mentorship, merchandising support, grants, and invaluable investor connections.
The 2024 Accelerate class represents diversity across the entire beauty spectrum, spanning haircare, makeup, skincare, and fragrance categories. Among the standout founders are Roz Samimi of banuskin, Hannah Diop, the visionary behind Sienna Naturals, Yasmin Zeinab with the innovative skincare brand ABI AMÉ, and Diipa Buller-Khosla, the driving force behind indē wild.
Other noteworthy members include Katini Yamaoka showcasing Katini Skin, Teri Johnson, founder of Harlem Perfume Co., Denise Vasi of Maed Beauty, and Quani Burnett, the creative mind behind Soft Rows.
Kristin Odegaard, Senior Director of Merchandising Strategy and Business Development at Sephora, expressed immense enthusiasm about welcoming the 2024 finalists. She highlighted the record-setting number of applications received this year, underscoring the Accelerate program’s unique curriculum and robust community support.
The dedicated advisory team includes investment experts like Alicia Sontag from Prelude Growth Partners and influential brand founders such as Danessa Myricks and Wende Zomnir. The program’s weekly content and curriculum sessions cover vital topics such as Financial Readiness, Brand and Assortment Strategy, Social Media and Community, and Marketing, ensuring that these brands are well-prepared for sustainable, long-term success.
“We are thrilled to reveal the 2024 finalists of the Accelerate program and officially welcome them to the Sephora family,” Odegaard stated. “Accelerate continues to serve as a vehicle for discovering, cultivating, and launching these amazing brands that represent so many of our clients and the world today, while providing meaningful support for growing brands to continue to succeed well beyond the program’s completion.”
