Accelerator Program
The global licensing industry is committed to attracting, developing and retaining the best and brightest from all backgrounds to achieve superior business goals. To that end, Licensing International’s mission is to help its members and the broader licensing community build diverse and inclusive workplaces. We are working to bridge the gap between underrepresented, diverse entrepreneurs around the globe and the resources they need to build profitable, high-growth companies within the licensing industry. We execute programs and establish partnerships that foster diverse, equitable, and inclusive cultures.
Licensing International is looking to help transform the existing entrepreneur licensing ecosystem into a more authentically inclusive environment. Through our efforts, we hope to inspire, empower and enable underrepresented founders to build successful businesses.
Applications for the 2024 Accelerator Program
are closed.
Program Participants Receive Benefits Valued at Over $100,000
Monthly mentoring meetings with licensing industry leaders for one year
Enrollment in 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).
A one-year Licensing International membership, which includes consultation services, networking & matchmaking resources, access to exclusive research, business savings and more.
Criteria for Selection
The company can be for-profit or non-profit
Applicants must be diverse (whether diversity along the lines of race, gender, sexual orientation, age or physical attributes)
Must be in the brand licensing business
2024 Program Participants
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 on beautifulcurlyme.com, a doll is donated. Beautiful Curly Me has been featured on platforms including Good Morning America, Forbes, and The Kelly Clarkson Show. Zoe, now 12, runs the company alongside her mom Evana, as CEO. She is a published author, a Time & Nickelodeon Kid of the Year finalist, and the youngest Black TEDx speaker.
BLACK PAPER PARTY 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. The team combines 15 years of corporate retail experience in design, planning, buying, product development, and sourcing, with award-winning illustrations to design, manufacture, and license culturally relevant seasonal products. Black Paper Party’s commitment is to provide trend relevant, high-quality products that provide authentic representation for all holidays and occasions. Black Paper Party has been nominated for multiple licensing awards and can be found in over 9,000 big box retail stores.
BLANK TAG CO, the cutest stickers ever. After starting the collectible sticker company in 2017, The Blank Tag team decided to enter the licensing space in 2023. Since then, it has partnered with companies like WildBrain, Paramount, Sesame Workshop, and Hasbro, launching multiple licensed sticker collections featuring some of the most loved properties in pop culture. Moving forward, Blank Tag Co is excited to continue learning more about the licensing industry and discover additional opportunities for growth.
EPIC EVERYDAY Bridging community, culture, and creativity in an EPIC way, EPIC Everyday is a visual affirmation brand that fills a void to reflect, represent, and inspire 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. Vibrant, joy-centric character designs cultivate confidence and serve as fun, functional, and fashionable essentials. The team instills a sense of self-love in children to help them feel empowered, positive, innovative, and creative. The company is focused on igniting hope so that the next generation feels valued, visible, and “proud to be ME!”
HUSTLE & HOPE Founded by Ashley Sutton, Hustle & Hope is the first 2in-1 motivational greeting card company to embed free digital guides with every card, helping people get inspired in their mindset, spirit, and career. Simply grab a card, scan the QR code on the back, and download your freebie. A certified minority- and woman-owned business, Hustle & Hope now has retail placement at all 240 World Market stores across the U.S., in select HomeGoods (U.S.) and Marshall’s/Winners/HomeSense (Canada) locations, and through Amazon. Ashley is an alum of the highly coveted Target Accelerators program, was named one of Ally Bank’s women entrepreneurs Daring to Disrupt, is a 2023 Black Entrepreneur’s Day grant recipient, and has been featured on ABC News, Glamour Magazine, Katie Couric Media, Essence, and more.
IGL NAILS is working to bring customers’ favorite characters, entertainment titles, sports logos, and celebrities to their fingertips through nail-bed size inclusive press-on nails. The team is working to learn the ins and outs of licensing and apply that knowledge to the brand and the licensing education and mentorship received through this accelerator program will help set IGL Nails on a path for success through brand licensing.
LITTLE REBELS is where imagination meets inspiration. The award-winning plush doll collection 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. Little Rebels ignites curiosity and empowers young minds to dream, learn, and explore the extraordinary legacies of history’s trailblazing women.