Ulta Beauty, the largest beauty retailer in the United States, has announced the 2024 cohort of its Muse Accelerator program. The program is designed to support and mentor emerging beauty brands that are focused on being inclusive and serving diverse communities.
Ulta's 2024 MUSE Accelerator cohorts includes:
Jamie Melbourne & Tony Lecy-Siewert, Apostle
- A men’s cosmetic brand that provides clean and affordable alternatives to traditionally marketed beauty products.
Audrey Ajakaye, Audaja
- This brand was born from founder Ajakaye’s lifelong battle with chronic eczema. Audaja is a professional-grade skin care brand for all skin types and tones, with skin color in mind.
Amy Roe, Byroe
- Upcycled superfood-infused skin care crafted with vegan and cruelty-free ingredients.
Amara Onwukaeme, Femigist
- A feminine care brand that provides plant-powered hormonal support and feminine wellness products along with educational resources.
Mia Fiona Kut, Luna Nectar
- A line of sustainable, waterless hair care products rooted in adaptogen theory, from Eastern rituals, combined with clinical actives.
Nicol Varona Cancelmo & Cory Varona, Ocoa
- Clean curl care inspired by the Dominican Republic and created to simplify curly hair routines with ingredients claimed to uplift natural beauty while representing the Hispanic and Latino community.
Elimar Depaula, Queen Cosmetics
- The brand claims to create products that “liberate artistic expression for everyone.” Queen Cosmetics, a Latina-owned venture, focuses on high-quality formulas, enriched with skin-loving ingredients.
Dana Roberts, Jarrod Shaw and Monica Williams, MD, Reddrop
- Created by an educator and a doctor to ensure that girls are prepared when their period begins, RedDrop offers products and empowering content to help support powerful women.
The Muse Accelerator program awards the participating brands with a variety of resources, including mentorship, education and funding. Mentors from Ulta Beauty and the larger beauty industry will educate the participants on topics including product development, marketing and business strategy. The brands will also have access to educational workshops and networking opportunities.
In addition to mentorship and education, the program provides the participating brands with a cash investment, along with in-kind support from Ulta.
Ulta Beauty has developed a robust 10-week curriculum for the program that is focused on overall brand development, including:
- Brand Strategy & Positioning: A 360-degree planning session that provides tools, support, and resources needed for long-term success.
- Retail 101: Expert training on how to successfully launch, grow and thrive in a national, omni-channel retail environment.
- Supply Chain & Logistics: A critical course on planning for and navigating distribution channels to ensure optimal customer experiences.
- Demo Week & Celebration: An opportunity to pitch to Ulta Beauty retail merchants and network with investors.
“We are excited to announce the 2024 Muse Accelerator cohort,” said vice president of merchandising at Ulta Beauty. “These brands are doing amazing things to make the beauty industry more inclusive and accessible. We are proud to support them on their journey to success.”
