04.02.18
Sephora has selected 13 Sephora Accelerate Cohort members. In its third year, the program has now expanded to include the largest number of entrepreneurs to-date from seven countries, including the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and now, France, Switzerland and China.
As an Accelerate cohort in 2018, the female founders will receive months-long programming, allowing them to acquire the necessary skills to create and evolve into successful businesses. Specifically, they will receive in-depth instruction and feedback during a one-week bootcamp with expert guidance from Sephora and program partners. In addition, each entrepreneur will have the opportunity to tackle their business challenges through one-on-one mentoring from Sephora leaders and beauty industry experts, such as Pamela Baxter, former CEO and president of Christian Dior Couture and Nancy Twine, founder and CEO of Briogeo Hair Care. The cohort members also receive monetary grants to support their business endeavors.
To conclude the 2018 program later this fall, each member will participate in the Sephora Accelerate Demo Day, giving them a platform to present their companies to industry experts, venture partners and senior Sephora leaders with the goal of future business growth, programming and networking.
The Sephora Accelerate Cohort members for 2018 are: Ming Zhao, CEO of Proven, a US-based beauty startup that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to create personalized skin care products for consumers; Nelly Pitt, CEO of BeautyMix, a DIY multi-functional hardware appliance that creates homemade cosmetics; Erika Milczek, CEO of Curie Co, a US-based life science company that engineers biomaterials to replace chemicals banned by the FDA in consumer products; Laure Bouguen, CEO, Ho Karan, a company that touts cannabis-infused skin care products that are natural, vegan, and gender-free; Shuting Hu, CEO of SkinData, a Chinese start-up startup dedicated to the discovery of naturally-sourced pharmaceutical-grade compounds that maintain and improve skin health; Cathy Han, CEO of 42 Technologies, a B2B turn-key analytics and reporting solution built for omni-channel retailers; Kylee Guenther, CEO, Spectalite, which specializes in creating bamboo fiber composite materials, including a biodegradable product that is durable and lightweight, creating an eco-friendly plastic alternative for beauty/retail rigid packaging; Cat Chen, CEO of Skylar Body, a natural direct-to-consumer fragrance brand offering high-quality ingredients at an attainable price point; KJ Miller, co-CEO of Mented Cosmetics, an upscale beauty brand for women of color. Brandi Leifso, CEO of Evelyn Iona Cosmetics, a Canadian company with green beauty products that fill the gap of hard-to-find color cosmetics that are good for your skin, planet and your community; Iliana Loza, CEO of Ahal, which creates 100% organic cosmetic products in Mexico; Heather Ridout, CEO of Okira, a Brazilian based a range of indulgent, yet responsible, personal care products and fine fragrance infused with natural ingredients, including essential oils and responsibly sourced raw honey; and Anju Rupal, CEO of Abhati Suisse (Switzerland), which touts skin care beauty products using the therapeutic virtues of Swiss botanicals with Himalayan plants from organic farms, and sends girls in India to school.
As an Accelerate cohort in 2018, the female founders will receive months-long programming, allowing them to acquire the necessary skills to create and evolve into successful businesses. Specifically, they will receive in-depth instruction and feedback during a one-week bootcamp with expert guidance from Sephora and program partners. In addition, each entrepreneur will have the opportunity to tackle their business challenges through one-on-one mentoring from Sephora leaders and beauty industry experts, such as Pamela Baxter, former CEO and president of Christian Dior Couture and Nancy Twine, founder and CEO of Briogeo Hair Care. The cohort members also receive monetary grants to support their business endeavors.
To conclude the 2018 program later this fall, each member will participate in the Sephora Accelerate Demo Day, giving them a platform to present their companies to industry experts, venture partners and senior Sephora leaders with the goal of future business growth, programming and networking.
The Sephora Accelerate Cohort members for 2018 are: Ming Zhao, CEO of Proven, a US-based beauty startup that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to create personalized skin care products for consumers; Nelly Pitt, CEO of BeautyMix, a DIY multi-functional hardware appliance that creates homemade cosmetics; Erika Milczek, CEO of Curie Co, a US-based life science company that engineers biomaterials to replace chemicals banned by the FDA in consumer products; Laure Bouguen, CEO, Ho Karan, a company that touts cannabis-infused skin care products that are natural, vegan, and gender-free; Shuting Hu, CEO of SkinData, a Chinese start-up startup dedicated to the discovery of naturally-sourced pharmaceutical-grade compounds that maintain and improve skin health; Cathy Han, CEO of 42 Technologies, a B2B turn-key analytics and reporting solution built for omni-channel retailers; Kylee Guenther, CEO, Spectalite, which specializes in creating bamboo fiber composite materials, including a biodegradable product that is durable and lightweight, creating an eco-friendly plastic alternative for beauty/retail rigid packaging; Cat Chen, CEO of Skylar Body, a natural direct-to-consumer fragrance brand offering high-quality ingredients at an attainable price point; KJ Miller, co-CEO of Mented Cosmetics, an upscale beauty brand for women of color. Brandi Leifso, CEO of Evelyn Iona Cosmetics, a Canadian company with green beauty products that fill the gap of hard-to-find color cosmetics that are good for your skin, planet and your community; Iliana Loza, CEO of Ahal, which creates 100% organic cosmetic products in Mexico; Heather Ridout, CEO of Okira, a Brazilian based a range of indulgent, yet responsible, personal care products and fine fragrance infused with natural ingredients, including essential oils and responsibly sourced raw honey; and Anju Rupal, CEO of Abhati Suisse (Switzerland), which touts skin care beauty products using the therapeutic virtues of Swiss botanicals with Himalayan plants from organic farms, and sends girls in India to school.