The accelerate program was initially started to close the gender gap within the beauty industry, where women are still underrepresented. Sephora’s goal for the initiative is to support more than 50 female-led businesses by 2020.

This year’s Sephora Accelerate Cohort includes Cathy Han, ceo of 42 Technologies; Ming Zhao, ceo of Proven; Nelly Pitt, ceo of BeautyMix; Erika Milczek, ceo of Curie Co.; Kylee Guenther, ceo of Spectalite; Cat Chen, ceo of Skyler Body; KJ Miller, Co-ceo of Mented Cosmetics; Brandi Leifso, ceo of Evelyn Iona Cosmetics; Iliana Loza, ceo of Ahal; Heather Ridout, ceo of Okira; Anju Rupal, ceo of Abhati Suisse; Laure Bouguen, ceo of Ho Karan, and Shuting Hu, ceo of SkinData. These women represent the U.S., France, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Switzerland and China.

Read more here.