The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) and Cosmoprof North America (CPNA) recently announced the five finalists for the inaugural Beauty Pitch, debuting at PBA Beauty Week 2015. Finalists were selected by a panel of judges consisting of industry professionals, program hosts and investors. The panel of judges include Scott J Buchanan, Scott J Salon & Spa; Katie Fitzgerald, CircleUp; John Heffner, The Drybar; Harlan Kirschner, The Kirschner Group; Diane Miles, TSG Consumer Partners; Daniela Ciocan, Cosmoprof North America; Charu Siri, Wall Street Journal & CNN; and Steve Sleeper, PBA.
A first of its kind, the Beauty Pitch offers up-and-coming and established companies alike the unique opportunity to present their brand, products or ideas to a panel of top investors including renowned entrepreneurs Mark Cuban and John Paul DeJoria. The Top Five finalists will have the chance to pitch to the panel live as part of PBA's Business Forum on July 12, 2015, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. One winner will receive a one-year mentorship from Mark Cuban and/or another will receive possible funding from a reputable private equity firm.
"We are overwhelmed with the success of the first annual Beauty Pitch," said Steve Sleeper, PBA Executive Director. "There were so many qualified and diverse submissions showcasing the creativity of our industry, which made the judging very difficult, but rewarding. Every one of the companies chosen put their best in their respective presentations. We can't wait to have the final five share their entrepreneurial spirit and creativity during the PBA Business Forum with Mark Cuban and John Paul DeJoria and hear their feedback and advice to these fledging entrepreneurs."
The panel of judges selected five finalists after the prescreening interviews were held on May 15th when each one of the ten semi-finalists was carefully interviewed and reviewed on several criteria including proof of concept, presentation, business health and uniqueness.
All Beauty Pitch applicants will be reviewed by the three participating investor groups: TSG Consumer Group, North Castle and CircleUp; announcements regarding funding will be made at conclusion of the July 12th live event.
The ten semi-finalist companies included Alexandria Professional, LLC, Industrias T.TAIO LLC / Daily Concepts, Lamas Beauty, Inc. Nanokeratin System Inc., Rock Your Hair/O'Rourke Holdings LLC, and the following five finalists:
- 100% Pure
- 18.21 Man Made, LLC
- Hair Construction, Inc.
- LightStim
- Zenagen
Those interested in attending and watching Beauty Pitch live will need to purchase an individual ticket to the PBA Business Forum ($60 for PBA members, $70 for non-members) or a package such as the PBA Beauty Week/CPNA All Access Pass and the Salon Professional Experience, both of which include admission to this event that will kick off with an informal Q&A followed by the live competition. Ticket registration is now open at probeauty.org/beautyweek. Tickets for the PBA Business Forum include a full buffet-style breakfast, which will be served at 7:00 a.m. Cuban and DeJoria will take the stage from 8:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. in the Mandalay Bay Ballroom on July 12, 2015. For official rules and details see beautypitch.com and follow #BeautyPitch for updates.
[Image courtesy of YCC Agency]
