BASF and StitchCrew have opened applications for cohort two of their Inclusive Beauty Accelerator, which provides business coaching and non-dilutive capital to entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds developing products for traditionally underserved markets.
Selected participants will receive a $10,000 non-dilutive grant and gain hands-on coaching from beauty and personal care executives. At the end of the program, participants will have the opportunity to showcase their products to consumer packaged goods investors, StitchCrew and BASF extended networks.
To be considered, applicants must come from an underrepresented background and/or be at least 50% minority owned. Applicants must be 18 years or older, reside in the United States and have a physical product available to sell.
Applications will close on April 16, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
"The Inclusive Beauty Accelerator demonstrates BASF’s firm commitment to advance inclusion and diversity in the personal care industry,” said Marcelo Lu, senior vice president, Care Chemicals North America. “BASF is investing heavily in R&D to create new products that are effective for diverse skin and hair types. With the Inclusive Beauty Accelerator, we are taking our commitment to the next level by supporting tomorrow’s inclusive beauty innovators who will launch products and services that will advance our industry.”
“We are proud to continue our collaboration with BASF to support indie-led brands expanding inclusion in the personal care space,” said Erika Lucas, co-founder of StitchCrew.