07.10.24
Maesa has announced a call for entries to the second cohort of its giveback initiative, the Maesa Magic Incubator program. The program first launched in 2023 to celebrate Maesa’s 25th anniversary and honor the company’s entrepreneurial roots.
According to the Kauffman Foundation, women and/or BIPOC founders collectively receive less than three percent of venture capital funding. Maesa Magic Incubator aims to bridge this gap by amplifying and elevating beauty and wellness entrepreneurs from historically under-represented backgrounds.
This initiative welcomes those identifying as women and/or BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, differently abled, and seniors above 65, and encourages entrepreneurs from low-income households.
Piyush Jain, CEO of Maesa, said,
“Last year, the inaugural Maesa Magic Incubator program identified and worked with three founders who are crafting beautiful brands. We are so proud to have been a part of helping them through their journey. This program is the embodiment of Maesa’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to creating a more inclusive and diverse beauty industry. There are so many budding entrepreneurs working to meet unmet consumer needs and have their voices be heard. We’re looking forward to another opportunity to share some Maesa Magic and help their brands bloom.”
The program is designed to act as a fast-track, practical program. Winners learn both foundational business principles in a core curriculum and can “major” and “minor” in tracks like Finance or Integrated Marketing to work on a project that correlates their business based on their specific goals.
The program will culminate with a pitch deck presentation to an esteemed advisory board comprised of Maesa executives, successful beauty and wellness company founders, and industry thought leaders and investors.
Winners will also receive admission into the “Future of Commerce and Work” program, hosted by the Emerson Group, located on-site at the Harvard Faculty Club.
As an additional benefit this year, winners will receive the opportunity to attend Cosmoprof North America Miami in January 2025 with complimentary admittance to their Entrepreneur Academy.
This year’s advisory board includes Piyush Jain, Scott Kestenbaum, Mindy McKnight, Ashley Tisdale, Liraz Evenor, and Nyakio Greico.
Last year’s Maesa Magic Incubator winners were Nikita Charuza, founder of Ayurvedic beauty brand Squigs Beauty; Keisha Wagner, founder of hair removal skin care brand Fuzz Clinic; and Selah Jael, founder of explorative fragrance brand House of Foster.
All interested, eligible entrepreneurs can apply to the #MaesaMagicIncubator program before August 23rd, 2024, by visiting Maesa’s website.
