Licensing International has announced the seven companies selected to participate in the 2024 Accelerator Program.
This year at Licensing International, the participants in the 2024 Accelerator Program are:
- Beautiful Curly Me
- Black Paper Party
- Blank Tag Co
- Epic Everyday
- Hustle & Hope
- IGL Nails
- Little Rebels
Beautiful Curly Me is on a mission to inspire the next generation of confident girl leaders through toys and empowering content. Founded by a seven-year-old girl after she overcame self-esteem challenges, the company has a line of diverse dolls, empowering books and puzzles. For every doll purchased, a doll is donated.
Black owned, woman-founded Black Paper Party was born out of a love of Black culture and recognition that the Black family experience is underrepresented during the holidays. Black Paper Party’s commitment is to provide trend relevant, high-quality products that provide authentic representation for all holidays and occasions.
After starting the collectible sticker company in 2017, The Blank Tag Co team decided to enter the licensing space in 2023. Since then, it has launched multiple licensed sticker collections featuring some of the most loved properties in pop culture.
Epic Everyday is a visual affirmation brand that reflects, represents and inspires diversity. Its school, home and travel collection of products are uniquely created for children, from newborn to 10 years old. Epic Everyday empowers kids with versatile accessories, apparel and home goods.
Hustle & Hope is the first 2-in-1 motivational greeting card company to embed free digital guides with every card, helping people get inspired in their mindset, spirit and career. Hustle & Hope is a certified minority- and woman-owned business.
IGL Nails is working to bring customers’ favourite characters, entertainment titles, sports logos and celebrities to their fingertips through nail-bed size inclusive press-on nails. The licensing education and mentorship received through Licensing International’s accelerator program will help set IGL Nails on a path for success through brand licensing.
Little Rebels is the award-winning plush doll collection that celebrates the pioneering spirit of iconic women like Amelia Earhart, Marie Curie, Mary Jackson and Malala Yousafzai, bringing their stories to life through interactive experiences in an innovative app.
“The Accelerator Program is an important part of our work to support the global brand licensing community as it builds diverse and inclusive workplaces,” said Maura Regan, president of Licensing International. “Licensing International is committed to providing resources to the industry as it works to attract, develop, and retain the best and brightest from all backgrounds.”
Each participating company will receive benefits valued at more than $100,000. These benefits include monthly mentoring meetings with industry leaders, as well as a one-year Licensing International membership that includes consultation services, networking resources, access to exclusive research and business savings. Additionally, participating companies will be enrolled in Licensing International’s Coursework in Licensing Studies, an in-depth study of the business of licensing and the industry’s only training ground to become a Qualified Licensing Practitioner (QLP).
The Accelerator Program is sponsored by the NBPA, the NFLPA, Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences and Sony Pictures.
