The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) and Cosmoprof North America (CPNA) have announced the return of Beauty Pitch, a one-of-a-kind beauty-centric competition that debuted in 2015. Hosted during CPNA, Beauty Pitch will be held in Las Vegas Saturday, July 23, 2016 during PBA Beauty Week. This event provides entrepreneurs from all sectors of the beauty industry a way to connect with qualified investors, major national retailers and the industry-at-large.
“The Professional Beauty Association is proud to be hosting Beauty Pitch 2016. Helping beauty businesses grow and fostering the entrepreneurial spirit is at the core of our association. This competition allows us to add a new dimension to our efforts,” said Steve Sleeper, Executive Director of PBA. “Beauty Pitch is a unique event for our industry – the only event of its kind focused on connecting beauty companies with qualified investors. We encourage all interested beauty companies to consider applying.” In addition to acquiring potential investments, applicants have the opportunity to secure distribution at major national retailers as well as cash prizes. Leading investment groups CircleUp, Main Post Partners, North Castle Partners, TSG Consumer Partners, and VMG Partners are partners in this unique, one-of-a-kind initiative.
The 2016 Beauty Pitch competition is open to entrepreneurs representing beauty and technology companies from all industry sectors including prestige, mass, clinical, organic/natural and the professional salon/spa market. New this year, the competition allows entrepreneurs to apply in one of two categories: Startup, for small business ‘seeding’ stage investment candidates seeking angel or venture capital with an annual revenue between $100,000 to $5 million; or, Established, for businesses with annual revenues exceeding $5 million. Businesses interested in applying in the Established category need to be willing to work with private equity investment groups.
In order to apply, Beauty Pitch entrants will need to complete an online application and submit a one-page executive summary and a two-minute video. Three finalist companies from both the Startup and Established stages will pitch their businesses to an audience and panel of judges at a live industry event on Saturday, July 23, 2016. Enrollment period ends April 29, 2016; registration is $350 for CPNA exhibitors and PBA members and $600 for other entrants. Applications can be submitted at www.beautypitch.com.
Beauty Pitch 2015
The inaugural competition attracted a “Who’s Who List” of attendees, drawing industry executives representing retailers, distributors, investors, and well over 350 members of the media. In total, more than 1,400 attendees attended this unprecedented event. Five beauty entrepreneurs pitched their products to high-profile judges consisting of Mark Cuban, John Paul DeJoria, and editors from Martha Stewart Living and INC.com
100% Pure, the 2015 Beauty Pitch grand prize winner, received a one-year mentorship with Mark Cuban along with a $10,000 cash infusion from TSG Consumer Partners. Additionally, 2015 Beauty Pitch finalist, 18.21 Man Made took home the Audience Choice Award, which included a complimentary booth at CPNA 2016, and a one-year PBA membership.
About the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) Beauty Week
Professional Beauty Association (PBA) Beauty Week (July 23-26, 2016) is North America’s largest, most inclusive beauty event, offering unlimited networking, education and professional growth opportunities to all sectors of the beauty industry. This week of beauty features the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA), PBA Business Forum, PBA Beacon and City of Hope. PBA Beauty Week is produced by the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) and hosted by Cosmoprof North America. To learn more, please visit probeauty.org/beautyweek.
Show Organizer: Cosmoprof North America is organized by North American Beauty Events LLC, a joint-venture company between BolognaFiere Group and the Professional Beauty Association. To learn more, please visit www.cosmoprofnorthamerica.com
