Backstage Capital

Healthy Roots is a toy company that creates dolls and storybooks aimed to teach natural hair care to young girls of color. It aims to empower girls through education, diversity, and positive representation by utilizing a doll, book, and app to teach natural hair care to young girls. The dolls come in different skin tones, facial features, and hair textures to represent the diversity of the African diaspora. Its first Black doll, Zoe, was launched in 2019, which combines educational play experience with curly hair care. The doll's hair can be styled in a variety of ways with the guidance of the Big Book of Hair. The Big Book of Hair is an illustrated manual for natural hair care. Healthy Roots Dolls' app allows users to track their hair health and get curated content for their specific hair needs to be based on the data they input. Yelitsa Jean-Charles founded the Detroit, Michigan-based company in 2015.

Trim-It is a tech-enabled mobile barbershop that simplifies the process of booking hair and beauty appointments for men. Through its innovative application, Trim-It allows users to schedule on-demand mobile barbershops to arrive at their preferred location, such as their home, office, or gym. The service not only offers convenience but also provides an opportunity for barbers to earn higher wages than the average barber. Additionally, Trim-It offers a subscription model, enabling customers to save time while ensuring access to quality haircuts at their doorstep.

Founded in 2013, Naturalicious specializes in manufacturing non-toxic, vegan hair care products designed specifically for women with curly, kinky, coily, or coarse hair. Its multi-tasking products aim to reduce hair routine time while providing superior results.

ShearShare is a SaaS platform that connects beauty industry professionals with empty salon suites and booths on demand. It serves cosmetologists, barbers, nail technicians, and other beauty specialists, helping them find workspaces and offering usage-based liability insurance.

Healthy Roots is a toy company that creates dolls and storybooks aimed to teach natural hair care to young girls of color. It aims to empower girls through education, diversity, and positive representation by utilizing a doll, book, and app to teach natural hair care to young girls. The dolls come in different skin tones, facial features, and hair textures to represent the diversity of the African diaspora. Its first Black doll, Zoe, was launched in 2019, which combines educational play experience with curly hair care. The doll's hair can be styled in a variety of ways with the guidance of the Big Book of Hair. The Big Book of Hair is an illustrated manual for natural hair care. Healthy Roots Dolls' app allows users to track their hair health and get curated content for their specific hair needs to be based on the data they input. Yelitsa Jean-Charles founded the Detroit, Michigan-based company in 2015.

Swivel is a mobile application designed to assist black women in locating the ideal hairdresser. The platform enables users to discover and book stylists based on their unique hair types and desired styles, addressing a specific need for personalized hair care solutions. By providing a tailored resource for finding the right salon or stylist, Swivel empowers women of color to meet their hair care requirements more effectively.

CurlMix is a haircare brand focused on products for curly hair. It operates a subscription service that delivers natural, toxin-free ingredients and ready-made products to help customers define, moisturize, and manage frizz-free curls. Offerings include DIY kits with step-by-step instructions and explainer videos, as well as ready-made items such as flaxseed gel, moisturizers, regrowth serums, and hair and body butters, with bundles and wash-and-go sets. The company sells through stores and online channels. It was founded in 2015 and is based in Chicago.

TresseNoire, LLC is a beauty service company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that specializes in providing on-location beauty services for women of color, primarily in New York City and Philadelphia. Established in 2014, TresseNoire offers an online platform that allows clients to easily book and pay for appointments. The company provides a diverse range of services, including natural hair styling, precision cuts, and custom healthy hair care regimens. TresseNoire aims to support its clients through various life events such as promotions, graduations, engagements, and other celebrations by offering personalized beauty consultations and services tailored to individual hair, skin, and lifestyle needs.