rooted in growth
grant program
powered by innovation studio
amika rooted in growth
amika’s rooted in growth startup grant + mentorship program powered by Innovation Studio allows us to support emerging professional hair brand founders and play our part in increasing equity in the beauty + hair industry. amika has always championed diversity and inclusivity—but as we grew increasingly aware of the inequities within the beauty industry, we knew we needed to do even more to close the gap in the beauty and professional hair business and beyond. that’s why we launched the rooted in growth startup grant program in 2023.
dates
applications
open
july 22, 2024
applications close
august 16, 2024
winners announced
september 30, 2024
program kickoff october 30, 2024
GRANT PROGRAM BENEFITS
four month Mentorship program to support brands in areas such as professional distribution, marketing, finance, and more.
Grants of $50,000 to provide both longevity and sustainability in your businesses.
networking opportunites with the amika team, plus hair + beauty industry experts.
travel and accommodations to brooklyn, ny for the program kickoff meeting in october 2024 + industry tradeshow in february 2025.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
BRand
companies and brands focused on hair and hair care, including but not limited to tools, wigs, color, extensions and products.
STage
The company must have clearly articulated Minimum Value Proposition (MVP) with demonstrated sales. Founders should have a business plan or at minumum a working draft of a business plan.
Revenue
amika seeks to support emerging professional hair brands with less than $2M in revenue and no funding beyond series a.
Goals
brands who aspire to be in the professional channel or seeking support to expand within professional distribution.
LOCATIOn
applications are being accepted from us based companies. participants will be required to travel to amika's headquarters in brooklyn, ny for the kickoff meeting on wednesday, october 30th 2024 + february 2025.
time commitment
participants must be able to commit to participation in monthly meetings, mentorship activities + travel.
about amika
amika means friend. we’re a fearless, Brooklyn-born, salon-raised haircare brand + a friend to all hair, hairstylists, the planet + you. amika is a fun, accessible and affordable-luxury haircare brand that’s re-writing the narrative of the professional hair industry.
We’re rooted in clinical results. Each product is infused with our intoxicating scent + powered by our superfruit soul, sea buckthorn. Known as one of earth’s most omega-rich plant sources, this potent berry nourishes your skin, scalp + strands. We’re a proud pal to the planet + certified B-Corp. From sustainably sourced ingredients + recyclable packaging to our energy-saving production processes, we pledge to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, waste + energy to reach Net Zero by 2030. Having grown up in salons, we know better than anyone how important stylists are—they’re our confidantes + community. Think of us as your at-home hairapist, here to empower self-expression + bring joy to your haircare experience. all hair is welcome.
Meet our 2023 amika Rooted in Growth grant Winners
ocoa Beauty
founders: hermanas cory and nicol varona (sisters!)
high-end curly haircare brand inspired by our beautiful homeland of the Dominican Republic
nappstar
founders: melissa and annette roche (sisters!)
trailblazing the loc industry for the last 14 years with products and styling tools
rebundle
founder: ciara imani ray
first plant-based hair extensions made in the U.S. to reduce the health and environmental disparities in the hair extensions industry
halo braid
founder: yinka ogunbiyi
automated hair braider that reduces the time it takes to braid hair from hours to minutes and helps stylists triple their business.
