Applications have now been opened for She Leads Africa’s Dark and Lovely x SLA Beauty Accelerator. The accelerator is a 10-week entrepreneurship program that supports entrepreneurs in their early stages who are particularly building their businesses in the beauty industry.
Only 5 startups will be shortlisted for the event. These 5 startups will gain access to a boot camp which will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa. During this time, they will also receive access to experienced business coaches that will teach them the skills entrepreneurs need to succeed.
Applications will be closing soon, with the deadline date on September 1st.
Beauty businesses will be taken to the next level through the accelerator program. The beauty businesses will be introduced to major beauty industry stakeholders while given an opportunity for their strategy and management skills to improve. They will also be provided $5,000 USD in funding by the program.
A spokesperson of She Leads Africa said, “Entrepreneurs in the program will focus on business strategy, growth marketing, finance and branding. If selected, you’ll receive intensive support from the SLA team, Dark and Lovely team and industry experts. The program will end with an opportunity to pitch your business to investors and stakeholders in the beauty industry for a chance to win cash to support your growth.”
The program is focused on finding innovative businesses across the beauty industry, including software and services the improve any aspect of the beauty process, platforms that simplify beauty techniques for women, and businesses that discover new styles and connect with their customers.
Startups based in Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa are all able to apply for the event. Specifications for the business must include one woman owner or founder between the ages 18 and 35, having operated for 3 years or less, and having received less than $50,000 USD in external funding so far.
