Accelerate

Brand Incubation Focused on Founders of Color

For the past five years, Sephora Accelerate has been dedicated to building a community of innovative, inspirational founders in beauty. This year we are focused on incubating founders who are people of color. In line with our 15% pledge, and to ensure there are brands representative of the colors, races, and ethnicities that make up America, our commitment this year will be to help bring these brands along. Founders will embark on a six-month journey inclusive of an intensive boot camp where they’ll gain the necessary skills to create a successful business and eventual launch at Sephora, the world’s largest beauty retailer.

The goal of the Accelerate program is to provide consistent, cohesive, and ongoing support backed by digital and in-person resources. Content and curriculum provided is directly correlated to helping founders succeed at Sephora. In addition, brands will have the unique experience of building a heart-and-soul connection to our community and its ecosystem, as well as the opportunity of a lifetime—launching with Sephora.

Apply Now

Thank you for your interest!
Applications for Sephora Accelerate 2021 are now closed.

Advisors and friends of the program

Company Alumni

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  How do I apply to the Sephora Accelerate program?

  • Accelerate holds an open application process for merchandise (makeup, skincare, fragrance, wellness, hair, and accessory) product brands. 

    Please check our website on October 1 for application information and requirements.

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  Who is eligible?

  • Eligible applicants must lead a US-incorporated company, passionate about beauty, founded or co-founded by a person (at least 18 years old), and must be an early-stage brand not yet distributed widely by others. Our interest is to help those who have the most to gain from what Accelerate offers, which means businesses with more than an idea (at least a lab sample or prototype), but probably not much real revenue yet.

    If selected, you must be able to attend the program in its entirety.

    Please check our website on October 1 for application information and requirements.

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  What are the selection criteria?

  • There are a variety of criteria our team uses to make the final selection. Some of the most important are:

     –  Vision: Do you have the passion needed to make your business successful?

     –  Innovation: What is differentiated about your brand or product? What can you offer clients that they currently cannot find elsewhere?

     – Product: Do you have a working prototype that has been iterated on at least once to incorporate user feedback? (I.e., product sample, goop.)

    To view our complete application, please visit our application website by clicking the “Apply Now” button above

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  What’s the background of the Sephora Accelerate program?

  • Accelerate was created as a way to use Sephora’s strengths for an even greater good in our communities. Five years ago, we saw a unique opportunity to draw from our history of working with beauty entrepreneurs to build a supportive community for people who were in the early stages of developing their businesses.

    This year we are paying particular attention to helping incubate founders who are people of color. In line with our 15% pledge, and to ensure there are brands representative of the color, races, and ethnicities that make up America, our focus this year will be to help bring these brands along.

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  If a selected business has two co-founders, do they both get to participate?

  • Unfortunately, only one founder per business may participate.

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  What do Accelerate entrepreneurs receive?

  • The goal of the Accelerate program is to provide consistent, cohesive, and ongoing support backed by digital and in-person resources. Content and curriculum provided is directly correlated to helping founders succeed at Sephora. 

    In addition, brands will have the unique experience of building a heart-and-soul connection to our community and its ecosystem, as well as the opportunity of a lifetime—launching with Sephora.

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  Will Accelerate entrepreneurs’ products be available at Sephora?

  • Beginning 2021, the intention is to launch each brand that participates in the Accelerate program in its entirety.

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  What is the difference between the 15 Percent Pledge and Sephora Accelerate?

  • Accelerate was created to use Sephora’s strengths for even greater good in our communities. We are pivoting our Accelerate program and paying particular attention to helping incubate founders who are people of color. In line with our 15% pledge, and to ensure there are brands representative of the color, races, and ethnicities that make up America, our focus this year will be to help bring these brands along.

    The 15 Percent Pledge is calling on major retailers to commit to a minimum of 15% of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses. Sephora was the first retailer to agree to take the 15% pledge. We are committed to building an ecosystem that will help support Black-owned brands for long-term growth in prestige beauty.