Calling All BIPOC Beauty Founders
Want your brand to succeed in the retail space and see your products on our shelves? The 2024 Launchpad is now accepting submissions. Submit your applications online before January 5, 2024 to be considered.
Meet the Launchpad grads
NAKESAKE
Former Google executive turned beauty founder, Davlyn Mosley, harnessed her mother's dermatologist career expertise in melanin-rich skin as inspiration to create a simple yet effective skincare collection for all skin tones and types.
Kiss Kiss Goodnight
When her son developed severe eczema, Shelly Ann Winokur leaned on her expertise in chemical engineering and her MBA to develop sensitivity-approved, dermatologist-tested body care designed specifically for children.
Everly
Motivated by the alarming rates of household waste, mother-daughter duo Alejandra and Charo Guerra set out to create sustainable alternatives to scented candles. Together, they embarked on a mission to redefine the candle industry by creating zero-waste, refillable alternatives.
Maua
Maua, meaning flower, was founded as a celebration of Flower Nutakor's African heritage, combining her passion for natural products and organic ingredients with her studies in Business Communication, leading her to start her own skincare business.
Kambiio
With a background in pharmaceuticals, founder Maryann Okoro used her knowledge of effective African ingredients to create her plant-based skincare line. The brand's name, derived from an African Igbo word meaning restoration and radiance, reflects Maryann's passions with a portion of proceeds supporting autism services.
Aralea
Inspired by her father’s battle with Parkinson’s Disease, founder Christina Louey developed vitamin D-infused lip care as an innovative solution for nutrient intake, particularly beneficial for those who are homebound or reside in northern climates.
Meet the Class of 2022
Salwa Petersen
Lawyer-turned-clean-beauty-entrepreneur, Salwa developed her eponymous haircare line to blend African beauty traditions, like Chébé, with modern technology and science-backed formulas for healthy, luscious strands.
Plantkos
After her daughter was diagnosed with Pigmentary Mosaicism, pharmacist Sejal Patel developed Plantkos using Ayurvedic herbs and actives that target skin’s deepest dermal layers, where many common concerns of people with melanin-rich skin begin.
Evrēdā
Aromatherapist Kavisha Mirza’s own minimal skincare routine prioritized skin health. With that as her guide, she decided to share her approach with the world, developing a skincare line packed with highly concentrated ingredients that are gentle enough to use daily.
Skwálwen Botanicals
Ethnobotanist Leigh Joseph’s collection of plant medicine for healthier skin honours cultural plant knowledge, Indigenous science and self-care rituals, and is made with sustainably harvested and sourced botanicals.
Meet the Class of 2021
Frigg
With everyday stressors taking a toll on her hair and skin, Kimberly Dillon harnessed the healing properties of cannabinoids and adaptogenic herbs to create her plant-powered wellness collection.
Holy Curls
Aiming to empower women to embrace their natural texture, Badria Ahmed formulated her inclusive line of clean haircare with all curl patterns in mind—spiral, tight, kinky, and everything in between.
Clean Rebellion
After learning that not all soap is created equal, Teju Owoye crafted her blend of castile soap using 100% organic olive oil that’s safe for all skin types, making the centuries-old cleanser cool again.
The Veddas
Jacinta Kanakaratnam pulled inspiration from Ayurveda to create her line of self-care staples after she noticed a gap in the market for natural and affordable men’s grooming products.