JCPenney and Rare Beauty Brands, plus other high-profile partners, are teaming up to award five grants of $10K+ to female beauty business founders of color.
The deadline is July 18 to apply for the 2024 LIFT Beauty Accelerator Grants, formerly the National Beauty Pitch Competition. Winners will be announced in late September.
The awards include a minimum $10K grant, plus a 1-year membership to the Black Beauty Collective, retail opportunities with JCPenney, mentorship from founders of Rare Beauty Brands and their partners; and in-kind services that include product testing and registration, retail support software, and more.
Grant criteria are:
- Black and brown female-identifying beauty brand founders;
- Brands with $10K-$1 million in annual revenue;
- Business is past the ideation phase with fully developed product or service, either ready for customers or with existing customers;
- Located in the U.S. and operating in the beauty and/or personal care industry, including but not limited to: skincare, hair care, cosmetics, nail care, fragrance, bath and body care, tools and accessories, or wellness.
Halima Hubbard, first-place winner of the 2023 National Beauty Pitch Competition for her business Bath Notes, says the award provided "invaluable assets to my growth and success" and in preparing her business for the next level.
"The team’s unwavering support, responsiveness, and deep knowledge have made every step of the journey smoother."
Black Beauty Collective and Black Girl Ventures are fellow sponsors, along with The Benchmarking Company, Good Face Project, Coast to Coast Fulfillment, Validated Claim Support, and more.