Glossier brings back scheme to support black beauty business founders
Glossier's inaugural UK Black Beauty Grant Programme, in partnership with Black Girl Fest Studios, is returning to continue creating change and providing support for black beauty founders.
Glossier’s vision is "to change how the world sees beauty, and that means changing the beauty industry itself". The UK programme builds off Glossier’s US Grant Programme which began in 2020. Since then, Glossier has partnered with over 30 founders, giving them funding and tailored business support.
Last year, five founders graduated through the Glossier Black Beauty Programme, including Roshanne Dorsett from The Glowcery, which uses enabled AI technologies to develop a range of plant-based, superfood, and sustainably focused skincare.
Created by Black Girl Fest (BGF) and powered by Glossier, the 2024 programme will offer black beauty founders personal and professional growth through a tailored 12-week learning programme and £10K equity-free grant, as well as industry connections, brand exposure and mentoring. Together, BGF and Glossier hope to "amplify the voices of Black Beauty Founders, celebrate their unique perspectives, and work towards a more inclusive and equitable future for the industry."
Research shows that just 0.24% of UK venture capital investment went to Black founders between 2009 and 2019, a total of just 38 entrepreneurs – with only 0.02% of venture capital investment going to Black female founders. Glossier and Black Girl Fest are eager to play a role in correcting this imbalance by spotlighting Black beauty founders.
Kleo Mack, Chief Marketing Officer at Glossier, said: "We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Black Girl Fest Studios to bring the Glossier Grant Programme to the UK for another year. The Black Beauty landscape in the UK is incredibly dynamic and vibrant — our 2023 Grantees are innovators inspiring us all, and we can’t wait to welcome a new cohort this year."
Nicole Crentsil, Founder and CEO of Black Girl Fest Studios, added: "For the second year working with Glossier on our Black beauty grant programme we’re eager to support early-stage founders. Whether it’s understanding how to work with influencers and press to learning about retail and getting your products on shelves, this year we’re dedicated to supporting founders to deliver the most impact early in their careers."
Applications are open now until 10 May — after this period the team will take on a thorough 3-step process and narrow the group down to five black-women-led beauty businesses.
