Thirteen Lune Launches 'Studio 13' in Partnership with Helios & Partners to Accelerate Emerging Brands

The bi-annual, 13-week accelerator program offers mentorship, investment, commercialization, and industry press recognition

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Thirteen Lune, the leading retail platform designed to inspire global beauty discovery, today announced the official launch of Studio 13. Developed in partnership with strategic investment firm Helios & Partners, the accelerator program runs twice a year (January and June cohorts) for 13 weeks to select 13 high-potential beauty brands to receive direct seed funding, retail integration across its digital platform and L.A. flagship store, and enterprise commerce support. Helios & Partners and Thirteen Lune will jointly evaluate applications from brands generating $1.5M+ in annual revenue. Selected finalists qualify for up to $100,000 per $1 million in revenue.

"Our mission has always been to build an ecosystem that gives founders the resources and visibility required for lasting retail success, both domestically and globally through milestones like our expansion into South Africa with Takealot," said Nyakio Grieco, founder and CEO of Thirteen Lune. "Partnering with Helios & Partners allows us to extend that footprint by backing early-stage founders with direct access to capital, strategic mentorship, and retail media scale."

Participating brands receive a comprehensive commercial support package, including:

• Retail & Digital Commercialization: Dedicated physical and digital shelf space, an expanded brand page on thirteenlune.com, retail-readiness resources and onboarding support.
• Investment & Advisory: Seed-stage venture investment opportunities, weekly one-on-one executive mentorship, and a full audit covering media, paid, social, and influencer spend.
• Marketing & Loyalty Acceleration: Featured inclusion in Thirteen Lune's reward loyalty program as well as organic social media and earned media promotion.
• Trade Events & Physical Retail: Co-attendance at major industry trade shows within the Thirteen Lune Pavilion, travel retail pitch opportunities, and hosting three live consumer events inside the Thirteen Lune flagship store.

"Emerging beauty founders often face structural hurdles when transitioning from digital shelf space to scalable brick-and-mortar retail," said Humphrey Ho, President & Managing Partner at Helios & Partners. "By combining Thirteen Lune's retail influence with our strategic capital deployment, Studio 13 provides participating brands with the immediate infrastructure needed to achieve operational profitability and long-term enterprise value."

Each cohort will highlight three "Standout Brands" that will receive dedicated press features in major industry publications.

Applications for the inaugural January cohort are free to submit and open today, Sept. 21, through Nov. 13. Final selection interviews will take place in late November, with program execution beginning Jan. 11, 2027. Founders can apply at thirteenlune.com/studio-13.

About Thirteen Lune

Founded in 2020, Thirteen Lune is a global beauty discovery platform and destination for innovative, high-performance skincare, makeup, haircare, fragrance, and wellness brands. Dedicated to amplifying founder-led stories often overlooked by the beauty industry, Thirteen Lune curates products from around the world that pair regional heritage and distinct ingredients with proven efficacy. The company champions inclusive beauty that reflects the true diversity of all skin tones, hair textures, and beauty needs—driven by a core belief in the beauty of inclusion. For more information, visit ThirteenLune.com or follow @thirteenlune on Instagram.

About Helios & Partners
Helios & Partners is a GFM Awarded Family Office built on the principle of Consumer Ecosystem Investing™, funding and building: growth capital, brand experience, talent, and revenue for consumer brands. The firm serves as a long-term partner to brands, growth stage companies, and marketers, through capital investment and operational support. It takes a stake in the entire consumer journey across AI & Cybersecurity, Media & Publications, Fashion, Luxury, Beauty, and Lifestyle.

Its operating arm, Helios Worldwide, unites media, creative, technology, and communications teams to deliver integrated, results-driven solutions across the consumer journey. Together, they offer a new model for building brands with shared success at the core. Learn more at heliospartnership.com

Media Contacts:

Thirteen Lune:
Auris Communications
[email protected]

Helios & Partners
Dora Williams
[email protected]

SOURCE Thirteen Lune