The Business of Beauty Global Awards Are Back – Apply Now for 2026

The Business of Beauty Global Awards, now in its third year, provides founders with unparalleled exposure and networking opportunities at our annual gathering, The Business of Beauty Global Forum 2026. With over 150 hand-selected senior executives, entrepreneurs and creatives from around the world, founders are able to meet and learn from the best in the industry.

The Global Awards aim to elevate exciting businesses, brands and founders by creating a space to honour and platform some of the new voices shaping the future of beauty and wellness. This year, by popular demand, we’re introducing The Established Track to recognise beauty founders further along in their entrepreneurial journey. Find out more about our criteria and reasons to apply below.

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We’re also excited to welcome a new jury of experts assembled from different corners of the beauty industry, including Sephora chief merchandising officer Priya Venkatesh, Rare Beauty chief executive Scott Friedman, Raymond James managing director Vennette Ho, Kayali founder Mona Kattan, Amouage chief creative officer Renaud Salmon and founder and makeup artist Danessa Myricks.

Last year, we selected from over 100 applicants from 17 countries and five continents to spotlight six exceptional businesses representing a diverse range of innovative companies and products.

Winners of the Global Awards have gone on to scale their businesses via new opportunities and institutional support. Soon after winning in 2024, the makeup artist-led cosmetic label Fara Homidi Beauty launched into Sephora stores and announced its first major fundraise, while 2025 winners like hair care brand Ruka and body care line Akt have inked soon-to-be-announced partnerships vaulting them to their next growth stages.

The award marked a step-change for Ruka, from major US retail to deeper investment and category-level visibility.

—  Tendai Moyo, founder of Ruka Hair

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The Global Awards tracks, spanning from Emerging to Established, are organised according to a brand’s annual revenue and total funding to help the jury understand a brand’s current growth stage and trajectory.

Founders who have not raised external funding are still eligible to apply for any track. If you conduct business in a currency other than USD, please convert your revenue to the equivalent amount. Thresholds apply regardless of currency.

Applications will be assessed using the following criteria:

• CREATIVE EXECUTION: Entrepreneurs with brands that combine distinctive products, packaging and marketing that demonstrate tangible social or environmental impact.
• BUSINESS INNOVATION: Entrepreneurs with lean, sophisticated or innovative business models that showcase strong financials, whilst contributing to sustainability, social good or community benefit.

Eligibility: Applications are open to founders of consumer beauty brands selling products in at least one of the following categories: Makeup; Skincare (including devices); Hair care (including scalp care, tools and devices); Body care (including sexual wellness, tools and devices), and Fragrance.

Ingestibles, services, digital products or products administered in clinical settings and professional machines are not eligible for admission.

Market Stage: Your company must already be selling products in at least one active distribution channel: DTC through your company’s website; in your company’s own retail store(s); or through wholesale accounts.

Deadlines to apply:

February 27 — Early bird deadline ($499 application fee)

March 27 — Final deadline ($699 application fee)

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