Breakout Beauty UK is an intensive six-week programme to find the next breakout beauty brands.
This accelerator is for market-ready founders who have the ambition and talent to build multi-million pound brands, scale into major retail, and become the names everyone's talking about.
Backed by Boots, TikTok Shop, British Beauty Council, Venrex and FDD International plus expert guidance from beauty legends Trinny Woodall and Mitchell Halliday.
We'll help you nail your retail strategy, grow your community and sales and get media and investor attention.
Over six intensive weeks, you'll access top-tier business development, investment opportunities, retail partnerships, and award-winning growth support that typically takes years to build. At the end, you'll pitch to a panel of experts and two brands will win the grand prize worth over £350,000 combined.
And the best news? It’s fully funded, so you pay nothing.
We’re looking for:
Applications have now closed but join our founder community for exclusive webinars, resources, and first access when we run future programmes.
Winners will benefit from a twelve-month online listing on boots.com and in-store activation in 10 of its biggest stores. Plus, access to its beauty business experts, free event space at the new Boots Beauty store at Battersea Power Station, as well as PR and marketing support. *Ts & Cs apply
Unlock the power of social commerce with support from TikTok Shop including account management, reduced platform fees, subsidised advertising and LIVE shopping training, promotional features on TikTok Shop platform channels, and access to creator matchmaking and fulfilment support. *Ts & Cs apply.
Join the heart of the UK’s beauty community with an annual Events Plus Membership to the British Beauty Council. Join brand founders, industry leaders and innovators shaping the future of beauty at exclusive in-person events including British Beauty Week 2025. Gain full access to expert-led webinars from partners like Circana and stay ahead with regular data insights and trend reports designed to support your brand’s commercial growth.
Fast-track your growth with curated introductions to leading investors in the beauty and wellness space, including Venrex Capital and our wider network of venture partners.
Be inspired by a masterclass with multi-millionaire beauty entrepreneur and founder of Trinny London, transforming the beauty industry with her innovative approach to personalised cosmetics.
Be inspired and learn from TikTok beauty sensation and founder of Made by Mitchell, available at Boots, known for accessible luxury beauty products and authentic founder storytelling.
Join Go Places for an interactive session on how to supercharge your TikTok presence. We’ll walk you through the essentials of TikTok Shop and TikTok LIVE, share tips on how to grow your audience, and give you the chance to go LIVE in our state-of-the-art studios. Whether you’re new to going LIVE or looking to level up, this is your opportunity to learn, experiment, and take your socials to the next level.
Ambassadors who’ve built their own cult followings know exactly what speaks to consumers - and how to scale. They’ll champion your brand with insider expertise, showcasing product efficacy and growth-focused mentorship to your community.
Leverage the insider clout of retail-buyer ambassadors who understand shelf-ready appeal. They’ll provide invaluable feedback on merchandising and ensure your messaging resonates with both store buyers and end customers.
Our investor ambassadors bring strategic vision and market credibility. They’ll advocate for your brand story in high-impact settings, unlock valuable introductions, and reinforce your proposition with a seal of financial confidence.
Partner with creators who know the grind of building a business organically. They’ll authentically integrate your products into their content, share real-world results, and inspire their followers to become your next loyal customers.
Master what it takes to get stocked in major retailers from people in the know.
Put in place a best-in-class TikTok Shop scale and growth strategy.
You'll learn how to raise money from Venrex, the Venture Capital firm who backed Charlotte Tilbury.
Get seen, heard and remembered, and build your profile in the consumer and industry press.
Well known beauty founders, investors and buyers will share their unique expertise - what works (and what things you shouldn't do) when growing your business.
From Growth Studio - award-winning startup experts who'll help you become an expert, confident presenter.
The beauty industry is thriving; in fact, it's growing four times faster than the wider economy. That's why I am so excited to be involved in finding the freshest brands that are driving this growth and the future of the industry. Over the last nearly ten years, I have built Trinny London and understand the determination it takes to build a successful brand and I can't wait to share my insights with the Breakout Beauty founders.
We know what it takes to fast-track founder success. Our programmes have supported over 1,500 startups, driven millions in new investment, and opened doors to the biggest names in retail. With Breakout Beauty UK, we’re bringing that same expertise to the beauty sector, creating the most powerful accelerator of its kind in the UK.
UK beauty founders are serving creativity like no one else – the ideas, the passion, the edge? Unreal. But let’s be real, talent needs backing to blow up properly. That’s why I’m thrilled to be an Ambassador for Breakout Beauty UK. We’re hunting for the next big name – the ones with vision, fire, and the guts to go all the way. If that’s you, let’s make it happen.
At Boots, we’re committed to bringing the very best of beauty to our customers. Breakout Beauty UK gives us a unique opportunity to nurture emerging brands and empower the next generation of British beauty founders, whilst also bringing fresh innovation and exciting new products to the UK high street. As the nation’s favourite beauty retailer, we’re proud to play a role in shaping the future of beauty, making it more inclusive, inspiring, and accessible to all.
The beauty industry is a certified growth sector and this will only be sustained if the innovative and pioneering brands of tomorrow are given opportunities to scale and develop. This new initiative is an exciting collaboration offering tangible access to capital and business support, I am excited to see the next generations of brands pitch and the breakout businesses grow.
TikTok Shop is the UK’s launchpad for the next generation of beauty businesses. We are proud to see so many innovative, passionate founders with incredible products being discovered in real-time by millions of shoppers. We look forward to working with Breakout Beauty to find the next breakthrough beauty brand in the UK, and helping them to reach new heights on TikTok Shop.
The UK has a long history of creating pioneering beauty brands, that have shaped the industry worldwide. We are excited to meet the next generation of beauty innovators, and to support them to build the future of British beauty on a global stage.
With a track record of supporting businesses in the cosmetics, beauty and fragrance spaces, Bird & Bird is delighted to be the legal partner for Growth Studios and Breakout Beauty UK. The cosmetics, beauty and fragrance sectors are highly competitive and require flexibility and dynamism in light of changing consumer preferences, legal and regulatory developments, sustainability concerns, and technological innovations - and that’s where Bird & Bird comes in. We are expertly placed to provide a full spectrum of legal advice for growing brands - providing strategically specialist solutions through all stages of the product and brand lifecycle.
It’s never been easier to start a beauty brand — but never harder to scale one.
We’ve built Breakout Beauty UK to change that.
Growth Studio has assembled a coalition of mentors, investors, media and buyers to support founders with serious ambition. We want to meet the next generation of breakout, headline and global beauty brands.
The Breakout Beauty UK programme has challenged me to the extreme, but I have learnt an amazing amount and made great contacts, that will be so useful, as I move my business forward. And the support from the Growth Studio team has been amazing – they never seemed to tire of my endless questions. It’s been tough and stressful, but I’m glad that I did it and I’m super grateful for the support the team has given me and Spots & Stripes. I’m going into ’26 really fired up now – with ideas and knowledge. Thank you!
The Breakout Beauty UK programme returned my confidence to myself and my business. I feel like I can conquer the world!
I didn’t know what to expect from the Breakout Beauty UK programme when we signed up, but honestly I was blown away. I found a community of incredible people, and the support has been absolutely incredible from day one.
Really loved working with everyone in the Growth Studio team. You’ve all truly made an impact on us not only as a business but as individuals. Truly appreciate you being part of the journey.
I joined the Breakout Beauty UK programme hoping to up-skill, meet new people and get back into business mode after years of working from home around my kids. What I didn’t expect was just how much it would open my eyes to the potential of my brand. I can now see so many more possibilities than I ever realised before. I’m leaving with a clear plan, bigger ambitions, amazing contacts, heaps of practical insight and even an ongoing conversation with the UK’s biggest beauty retailer. It’s genuinely been a game-changing experience for me.
Thank you for helping me to feel more confident in myself and my brand. Thank you for taking a chance on me and for the connections I’ve made. The connections have been priceless, and every single week has been full of incredible information. Every single person from the Growth Studio team have been so supportive, friendly and have given me the feedback I need to hear in order to grow. I genuinely feel as though I could be a 6-figure brand in 2026, and if it wasn’t for the Breakout Beauty UK programme then I wouldn’t have that belief. Thank you for opening the doors!
I honestly had the best time on Breakout Beauty UK. As a sole small business owner, it was so wonderful to meet other business owners and make some great friendships. It’s a great way to learn about what getting into retail is really like, securing investment and other things from key figures in the space that you perhaps not be able to without a programme like this.
Wow, blown away by the level of support and mentorship. Breakout Beauty UK has impacted us all in ways we never even imagined.
Breakout Beauty UK has been a real step change for our business, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity.
The Breakout Beauty UK programme was probably the most valuable part of my brands journey, from the networking to the insight to what retailers require or look for. I feel the programme has catapulted our brand and vision on retail.
The Breakout Beauty UK programme was extremely helpful, thanks to the Growth Studio team for this amazing opportunity. The mentorship, connections and knowledge gained has been incredible.
You guys are clearly head and shoulders above other accelerators. At my New York pitch, the feedback was insane. All the startups said they learnt so much from how I pitched.
Terms & Conditions of Participation: Breakout Beauty UK Accelerator
Effective Date: 11/08/2026
These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern participation in the Breakout Beauty UK Accelerator programme (“the Programme”) operated by Growth Studio Group Ltd (“Growth Studio”, “we”, “our”, “us”) in partnership with Boots, TikTok Shop, British Beauty Council, Venrex, and other sponsors and delivery partners.
Breakout Beauty UK is a six-week accelerator designed to support high-potential UK beauty brands with growth, media exposure, and investment-readiness. Finalists receive expert support, access to retail opportunities, and exposure across media and partner channels.
Participants (“you”, “the Founder”, “the Brand”) must:
Finalists (maximum 10) will receive:
Participants must:
Two Grand Prize winners will each receive the Breakout Beauty UK Grand Prize, subject to eligibility and compliance with these terms.
The Grand Prize includes:
Retail Launch with Boots: A twelve-month online listing on Boots’ platform and in-store activation in 10 Boots stores, subject to a finalised commercial agreement between Boots and each winner. Additional benefits include marketing support at retail launch and executive mentorship for a six-month period, as agreed with Boots.
TikTok Shop Business Acceleration Package: Support from TikTok Shop including account management, reduced platform fees, subsidised advertising and LIVE shopping training, promotional features on TikTok Shop platform channels, and access to creator matchmaking and fulfilment support. If a winner already receives certain elements (e.g. account management), TikTok Shop may adjust the package accordingly at its discretion.
Additional Benefits: A range of support from programme sponsors, partners, or collaborators, which may include consulting services, software subscriptions, or event invitations. The final composition, value, and delivery of these benefits are subject to change at the organiser’s discretion.
Prize Value and Conditions: The estimated total value of Breakout Beauty UK’s grand prizes is up to £350,000 in combined in-kind benefits, based on current sponsor commitments. The organiser reserves the right to modify, substitute, or cancel any prize element due to circumstances beyond its control (eg. sponsor availability or changes in partner offerings) without liability. No cash alternative will be offered under any circumstances. Prizes are non-transferable and non-assignable unless otherwise agreed by the organiser. Winners must comply with all sponsor requirements and agreements to receive prizes. The organiser’s decisions regarding prize allocation and terms are final.
By participating in the Programme, you agree that:
Growth Studio reserves the right to disqualify any participant who:
These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising under or in connection with these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
Yes. The Breakout Beauty UK programme is completely free for founders to apply, join and participate in.
The programme starts on 27th October 2025 and runs for 6 weeks.
The Breakout Beauty UK programme is a mixture of live face-to-face days, and additional virtual workshops. Selected founders will need to be present in London for 2 days in week 1 of the programme, week 3 and week 6 (total of 6 live days). All other sessions and events will be held virtually.
We are selecting 10 teams to joint the Breakout Beauty UK cohort. Each team will leave with fine-tuned business, expertise on how to scale their businesses, and a plethora of new skills and new industry contacts. The programme will culminate in a final pitch day, where beauty founders get the opportunity to compete for exclusive prizes designed to send their business into the stratosphere.
We’re looking for independent, UK-based beauty brand founders with an existing product in the market—think skincare, haircare, makeup, body, fragrance, beauty tools or adjacent categories. You’ll need to have early traction (some sales, strong engagement, or early press) and be ready to scale.
If you are already stocked in a national beauty retailer, unfortunately this programme is not for you. If you aren’t quite eligible, but want to put your case forward to the judges to be included, apply (but give us a strong reason to consider you!).
We’re selecting 10 founders to take part in the Breakout Beauty UK programme. These will be the brands we believe are most ready to grow, show up, and stand out.
No, but you’ll need to be able to travel to London for six in-person days over the six-week programme. We’ll give you the dates in advance so you can plan around them.
You should expect to commit around 2–3 days per week during the 6-week programme. This includes face-to-face days, virtual workshops, and optional drop-in support sessions.
There’s no guarantee of investment, but as part of the programme you will meet and get support from Venrex. Venrex is an early-stage venture capital fund which was an early investor in Charlotte Tilbury, and has recently launched a Beauty specific investment fund in partnership with the British Beauty Council.
Perfect. This programme is designed with solo and small-team founders in mind. You’ll be surrounded by people who get it, and supported every step of the way.
Two Grand Prize winners will each receive the Breakout Beauty UK Grand Prize, subject to eligibility and compliance with these terms.
The Grand Prize includes:
Retail Launch with Boots: A twelve-month online listing on Boots’ platform and in-store activation in 10 Boots stores, subject to a finalised commercial agreement between Boots and each winner. Additional benefits include marketing support at retail launch and executive mentorship for a six-month period, as agreed with Boots.
TikTok Shop Business Acceleration Package: Support from TikTok Shop including account management, reduced platform fees, subsidised advertising and LIVE shopping training, promotional features on TikTok Shop platform channels, and access to creator matchmaking and fulfilment support. If a winner already receives certain elements (e.g. account management), TikTok Shop may adjust the package accordingly at its discretion.
Additional Benefits: A range of support from programme sponsors, partners, or collaborators, which may include consulting services, software subscriptions, or event invitations. The final composition, value, and delivery of these benefits are subject to change at the organiser’s discretion.
Prize Value and Conditions: The estimated total value of Breakout Beauty UK’s grand prizes is up to £350,000 in combined in-kind benefits, based on current sponsor commitments. The organiser reserves the right to modify, substitute, or cancel any prize element due to circumstances beyond its control (eg. sponsor availability or changes in partner offerings) without liability. No cash alternative will be offered under any circumstances. Prizes are non-transferable and non-assignable unless otherwise agreed by the organiser. Winners must comply with all sponsor requirements and agreements to receive prizes. The organiser’s decisions regarding prize allocation and terms are final.
Participants must:
You must apply here – you can start your application for Breakout Beauty UK 2025 and save it to return to later if need be – please make sure you provide all the information required before you submit the application.
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