She Leads Africa in partnership with Dark & Lovely Africa has just opened applications for the 2017 Dark & Lovely x SLA Beauty Accelerator. The Accelerator program is a 10 week-long entrepreneurship development program to support early stage entrepreneurs who are building businesses in the beauty industry.

 

The 2017 Dark & Lovely x SLA Beauty Accelerator will kick off with a 1 week business skills bootcamp in Johannesburg, South Africa where entrepreneurs will receive training on business strategy, growth, marketing, finance and distribution. Throughout the program entrepreneurs will have access to industry mentors and online training. At the close of the ten weeks, the entrepreneurs will pitch their businesses to a host of industry stakeholders, media and investors.

 

Caitlin Craig, Head of Community at She Leads Africa said, “We are extremely excited about the launch of the beauty accelerator in partnership with Dark & Lovely Africa. This is an incredible opportunity to bring together women from across the African continent who highlight innovation in the African beauty industry.”

 

“We are delighted to partner with She Leads Africa on this amazing project to support young women in business across Africa. Supporting women empowerment programs like this is a key pillar of the brand’s sustainability platform.” says Nneka Keshi, Digital Marketing Director, L’Oréal Consumer Products Division for Sub-Saharan Africa.

 

Eligible companies include:

  • Media: Platforms that make it easier for women to learn beauty techniques and discover new styles
  • Products: Physical products that enhance the beauty process
  • Technology: Software and services that support the beauty industry
  • Retail: Platforms that simplify the buying process for consumer

 

The accelerator is open to businesses based in South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire and

Kenya.

 

Entrepreneurs interested in applying should visit sheleadsafrica.org/beauty for more information and to apply. Submissions close on 1 September at 11:59pm WAT.

 

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About She Leads Africa:

 

She Leads Africa is a community that helps young women achieve their professional dreams by providing expert advice, opportunities for networking and global growth opportunities. SLA reaches more than 350,000 women across 35+ countries and 5 continents and has been featured in the Financial Times, BBC, CNN, Forbes, CNBC Africa, Fast Company, Black Enterprise and Huffington Post. In December 2016, SLA was the first African startup to ring the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

 

For more information about She Leads Africa, visit sheleadsafrica.org or follow on:

  • Instagram.com/sheleadsafrica
  • Facebook.com/sheleadsafrica
  • Twitter.com/sheleadsafrica
  • YouTube.com/sheleadsafrica

 

 

About Dark & Lovely:

 

For more than 45 years Dark and Lovely has been dedicated to providing superior hair care and styling products for African women. Dark and Lovely continues to unveil breakthrough hair innovations for African women, including the most recent launch of Dark and Lovely Au Naturale, a range specifically designed for natural African hair.

For more information about Dark and Lovely, visit darkandlovely.co.za or follow on:

  • Instagram: @darkandlovelyafrica
  • YouTube/Darkandlovelyafrica
  • Facebook/Darkandlovelysa

 

 

For interviews with the She Leads Africa team or previous SLA Pitch and 2016 SLA Accelerator participants, email press@sheleadsafrica.org.