The Dark and Lovely/ She leads Africa Beauty Accelerator has applications open for its 2018 cohort. She leads Africa is an online community working to assist women entrepreneurs through events, programs and content.

The 10-week entrepreneurship development program selects early-stage companies in the beauty industry and provides access to business coaches and other mentors for the selected companies. Entrepreneurs will also receive intense training in business strategy, branding, growth marketing and finance, and will have the chance to network with beauty influencers. The accelerator is looking for businesses across media, technology, retail and more.

Businesses looking to apply must be based in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria or South Africa and must also have at least one female founder. Companies that have received more than $50,000 in funding or have been in business for more than three years are not eligible to apply.

Last year’s cohort included companies like FreshMe, a marketing, branding and distribution platform that connects people to beauty brands and Skin Gourmet, a line of sustainably-made, natural skincare products based in Ghana.

First place winners receive $5,000, while second and third place businesses are awarded $3,000 and $1,000, respectively.

Applications are due September 21.

Dark and Lovely

Sign up for our daily Newsletter.