Sephora North America has announced 12 emerging beauty brands selected for its 2026 Sephora Accelerate program, a decade-old initiative designed to support the next generation of cosmetic, skin care, hair care, and fragrance brands.
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The chosen brands are Forta Cosmetics, Dealbodies, Mowe Beauty, Base-K, Pepper Pout, Reference, Omora Beauty Lab, Everyday Chemist, Moré, Eauso Vert, Manuscript, and Innae Beauty. This program provides founders with access to industry experts, Sephora executives, and one-on-one mentorship to help them navigate growth.
Sephora Accelerate aims to foster the development of prestige beauty brands by selecting participants based on their stage of product development, innovation, and overall vision. Members of this year's cohort will also attend the Sephora Impact Summit and can apply for the $100,000 Sephora Beauty Grant.
Priya Venkatesh, Sephora's global chief merchandising officer, stated that each year brings forth talented emerging founders with strong visions and unique products that could shape the future of the beauty industry. Many previous program participants have successfully launched their products at Sephora.
Moreover, Sephora has introduced various enhancements to the Accelerate program over the years. In 2021, the retailer focused on founders of color, and in 2023, it collaborated with TikTok to connect content creators with its participants.
In addition to supporting new brands, Sephora is evolving its retail operations. Earlier this year, the company incorporated its app with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, allowing shoppers to receive tailored advice and product recommendations. Last month, Sephora also implemented quiet hours in stores globally, reducing music and screen displays during specified times.