Ulta Beauty has announced its 2024 MUSE Accelerator cohort—and it includes eight founders of early-stage cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and wellness brands.

Like Sephora's Accelerate program, which accepts applications through September 23rd, Ulta Beauty's MUSE is a brand incubator program for BIPOC beauty entrepreneurs.
 
Monica Arnaudo, Chief merchandising Officer at Ulta Beauty, said, 
 
“As retail leaders and brand builders, we seek to create space and opportunities for all brands to thrive in our industry and nurture an inclusive assortment that reflects the beautifully diverse community we serve. We’re focused on brand amplification, assortment growth, and creating equitable guest and associate experiences so everyone can see themselves reflected in what we offer.”

Ulta's MUSE Accelerator is a 10-week program that begins on September 18th. 

MUSE Accelerator Participants

• Jamie Melbourne & Tony Lecy-Siewert​, Apostle: A cosmetics brand for men with clean, cost-effective, and efficacious products.


• Audrey Ajakaye, Audaja: A professional-grade skincare brand reimagining skincare for all skin types and tones, with skin of color in mind, born from founder Audrey Ajakaye’s lifelong battle with chronic eczema.


• Amy Roe, Byroe: Upcycled superfood-infused skincare crafted with vegan and cruelty-free ingredients.


• Amara Onwukaeme​, Femigist: A purpose-driven feminine care brand that provides plant-powered hormonal support, feminine wellness products, and educational resources.


• Mia Fiona Kut​, Luna Nectar: A line of sustainable, waterless haircare products rooted in adaptogen theory, from Eastern rituals combined with clinical actives. Dermatologist and trichologist-approved, Luna Nectar's mission is to kick the stigma of women’s hair loss through all-natural, vegan, and cruelty-free products.


• Nicol Varona Cancelmo & Cory Varona​, Ocoa: Clean curl care for Hermanas everywhere inspired by the Dominican Republic and created to simplify curly hair routines with clean, nourishing ingredients that uplift natural beauty and represent the Hispanic and Latino community.


• Elimar Depaula​, Queen Cosmetics: More than just a beauty brand, Queen Cosmetics is dedicated to designing products that transcend the ordinary, speak to your inner artist, and encourage self-expression and authenticity.


• Dana Roberts, Jarrod Shaw, and Dr. Monica Williams, RedDrop: Created by an educator and a doctor to ensure that girls are prepared and empowered as their period journey begins, RedDrop offers superior products and empowering content to help grow powerful women. 

More About Ulta's Beauty Incubator

Ulta Beauty's MUSE Accelerator program includes a robust curriculum and mentorship program to prepare the participants' brands for retail distribution.

The curriculum includes:

• An immersive 360-degree planning session
• Retail launch training
• A course on planning and navigating distribution channels
• An opportunity to pitch to Ulta Beauty

Funding to Fuel Growth

Each brand in the 2024 MUSE Accelerator cohort will receive $50,000 in financial support to help accelerate their businesses and valuable resources to establish a foundation for long-term success.

New to the program this year, one cohort member will receive an additional $10K award. Aurora James, founder of Fifteen Percent Pledge and a long-time partner of Ulta's MUSE Accelerator, will present the award at the end of the program. Ulta Beauty and Fifteen Percent Pledge will select this winner.  

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