MUSE Accelerator Beauty Brand Grant by Ulta Beauty

Grant Overview

$50,000 Funding for BIPOC Entrepreneurs

Donor: Ulta Beauty

About: The MUSE (Magnify, Uplift, Support, and Empower) Accelerator Program represents a groundbreaking initiative by Ulta Beauty to transform the landscape of the beauty industry through empowering BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) beauty entrepreneurs. This comprehensive program combines substantial financial support with intensive business development resources, creating a unique opportunity for emerging beauty brands to achieve retail success.

The program demonstrates Ulta Beauty’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in the beauty industry by providing selected participants with essential tools for retail success. Eight promising BIPOC-owned beauty brands receive dedicated support through a carefully structured 10-week curriculum that covers crucial aspects of retail business development, from brand strategy to financial management.

What sets this program apart is its holistic approach to brand development. Beyond the substantial $50,000 grant funding, participants gain invaluable insights through mentorship from successful BIPOC beauty founders and Ulta Beauty merchandising experts. Additionally, through a partnership with the Fifteen Percent Pledge, one exceptional participant will receive an additional $10,000 in financial support, further amplifying their growth potential.

Need professional assistance with your MUSE Accelerator application? Grantaura’s expert team specializes in grant applications, offering comprehensive support from initial research through final submission. Our services include business plan development, financial projections, and pitch deck creation to help maximize your chances of selection.

Focus: Beauty brands, Cosmetics, Skincare, Haircare, Personal care products, Retail readiness, Business development, BIPOC entrepreneurship, Beauty industry innovation, Sustainable beauty, Clean beauty, Inclusive beauty

Region: United States, Canada

Eligibility:
-Must be at least 18 years old
-Must be a U.S. or Canadian citizen
-Must currently reside in the United States or Canada
-Must be a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color) founder
-Must own a beauty brand in its early stages
-Brand must be working toward retail readiness
-Products must align with beauty, skincare, haircare, or personal care categories
-Business must demonstrate potential for scaling in retail environment

Benefits:
-$50,000 in grant funding for business acceleration
-Opportunity for an additional $10,000 through Fifteen Percent Pledge selection
-10-week comprehensive retail readiness curriculum
-Mentorship from successful BIPOC beauty founders
-Guidance from Ulta Beauty merchandising partners
-Opportunity to pitch to Ulta Beauty merchants
-Access to industry experts and networking opportunities
-Brand development and retail strategy training
-Financial management education
-Product development guidance

Deadline: June 2025

Terms:
-MUSE: Magnify, Uplift, Support, and Empower – Ulta Beauty’s initiative to support underrepresented founders
-BIPOC: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color – refers to non-white racial or ethnic minorities
-Retail Readiness: The state of a brand being prepared for large-scale retail distribution
-Fifteen Percent Pledge: A nonprofit organization advocating for increased representation of Black-owned businesses in retail
-Omni-channel: A retail strategy integrating various shopping methods (online, in-store, mobile)
-P&L: Profit and Loss statement – a financial document summarizing revenues, costs, and expenses