As the beauty industry moves toward more accessible pathways for entry, whether through investing in entrepreneurs, incubators, or accelerator programs, Sephora is continuing its commitment to helping emerging brand founders build long-term success.
This week, Sephora North America announced the 12 beauty brands selected for its 2026 Sephora Accelerate program, which aims to champion new voices in prestige beauty. The program includes mentorships, access to Sephora’s resources, and a curriculum covering every stage of building a successful brand, from launch to scaling and long-term sustainability, led by industry experts and Sephora executives.
Participants will have opportunities to network and access mentorship, including one-on-one sessions designed to provide personalized support for professional growth and help transform early-stage concepts into fully developed brand identities.
“Since we launched Accelerate [in 2016], every year we’ve been introduced to a talented group of emerging founders with strong visions, differentiated products, and fresh perspectives that will shape the future of beauty,” Priya Venkatesh, Global Chief Merchandising Officer at Sephora, said in a press release. Members of the cohort will also have access to the Sephora Impact Summit, the opportunity to apply for the Sephora Beauty Grant (a $100,000 award), the chance of being carried in Sephora, and other extended Sephora initiatives.
While the accelerator is now in its tenth year, it reflects a broader trend of companies becoming more intentional about supporting emerging talent. From Iced Media and Cosmoprof North America’s Open Fellowship to L’Oréal’s L’AcceleratOR program, these initiatives serve as incubators that elevate new voices while equipping founders with the skills and knowledge needed to both enter and succeed in the beauty industry.
The selected brands were chosen in part because they are not yet widely distributed through major retailers, while also meeting criteria centered on innovation, a strong brand vision, and their stage of product development. This year’s founders and brands span skincare, makeup, haircare, and fragrance:
“We are excited to welcome this latest cohort of brand visionaries and help them build the community, confidence, and capabilities needed to successfully navigate the complex journey of growing a brand in the prestige beauty industry,” Venkatesh said.
Past Sephora Accelerate alumni include Sephora brands EADEM, Fara Homidi, and Topicals.