Rare Beauty Brands opens accelerator programme for underrepresented beauty brand founders

By Lynsey Barber | Published: 7-Aug-2026 Lynsey Barber
Training & Education Finance

Funding, mentorship and retail opportunities with JCPenney will be offered to three founders with early-stage brands, through the Kate Somerville and Patchology-owner’s LIFT Beauty Accelerator

Rare Beauty Brands opens accelerator programme for underrepresented beauty brand founders

Rare Beauty Brandsd, the owner of Kate Somerville and Patchology, has opened applications for its accelerator programme.

Aimed at supporting underrepresented beauty brand founders, the LIFT Beauty Accelerator provides funding, mentorship and retail access to beauty entrepreneurs, in partnership with US retailer JCPenney.

First launched in 2021, the third iteration of the initiative has been reimagined to “evolve as a platform for early-stage brands to gain traction, scale thoughtfully and build lasting community”, said the brand owner in a statement.

Three founders will be selected for the programme and will receive US$10,000 in grant funding.

They will also get the opportunity to pitch JCPenney for potential in-store and online distribution, as well as mentorship from Rare Beauty Brand and partners.

Winning founders will also receive $20,000 worth of services, including claims testing from The Benchmarking Company, consulting and free product screening from Validated Claims Support, and packaging provided by Consolidated Design West.

“The LIFT Beauty Accelerator program enables JCPenney to discover and champion the next generation of beauty brand founders," said Lisa Green, VP, Division Merchandise Manager for Beauty and Salon at JCPenney. 

“We look forward to learning more about these brands and empowering their founders with the resources, connections, and guidance they need to succeed to help shape the future of the industry.”

Founders must be over 18 and from an underrepresented background in the beauty industry with a US incorporated company.

Their business must be at an early stage with limited distribution, no institutional funding, and less than $1m in revenue, with products that are at least at the product stage.

Applications are open until 21 August at rarebeautybrands.com/lift-beauty-accelerator/.

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