Los Angeles – September 24, 2026 -- Thirteen Lune has launched Studio 13, a bi-annual accelerator program developed with strategic investment firm Helios & Partners, offering selected beauty brands up to $100,000 in seed funding per $1 million in annual revenue.
Program targets brands generating $1.5 million or more in annual revenue
Helios & Partners and Thirteen Lune will jointly evaluate applicants, selecting 13 high-potential beauty brands per 13-week cohort. Cohorts run twice yearly, in January and June, with participants receiving direct seed capital, retail integration across Thirteen Lune's digital platform and Los Angeles flagship store, and enterprise commerce support.
Selected brands gain shelf space, mentorship and trade show access
The commercial support package includes dedicated physical and digital shelf space, an expanded brand page on thirteenlune.com, and retail-readiness onboarding. Brands also receive weekly one-on-one executive mentorship, a full audit of media, paid, social and influencer spend, and inclusion in Thirteen Lune's loyalty rewards program. Participants will co-attend major industry trade shows within a dedicated Thirteen Lune Pavilion, pursue travel retail pitch opportunities, and host three live consumer events inside the flagship store.
Three 'Standout Brands' per cohort will secure dedicated press features
Nyakio Grieco, founder and CEO of Thirteen Lune, said the partnership extends the company's ecosystem for founders beyond its existing expansion into South Africa through Takealot, adding direct capital access, strategic mentorship and retail media scale. Humphrey Ho, President & Managing Partner at Helios & Partners, said Studio 13 addresses the structural hurdles emerging founders face moving from digital shelf space to scalable brick-and-mortar retail, combining Thirteen Lune's retail influence with Helios's capital deployment to build toward operational profitability.
Applications for the inaugural January cohort open through Nov. 13
Applications for the first cohort are free to submit and opened Sept. 21, running through Nov. 13, 2026. Final selection interviews are scheduled for late November, with program execution beginning Jan. 11, 2027. Founders can apply through Thirteen Lune's website.