Investor And Board Director Nancy Twine Unveils $50K Grant To Empower Early-Stage Women-Led CPG Brands In Health, Beauty, And Wellness

A new grant backed by industry titan Nancy Twine has launched to support women’s consumer brands.

As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Twine is a board director and entrepreneur who launched and scaled Briogeo Hair Care, a clean, natural hair care brand, to $100 million before its acquisition by the Wella Co. in 2022. She stepped down from her role as CEO in 2025 but is still involved with the business, per WWD.

Twine is passionate about championing early-stage consumer packaged goods brands, which is reflected in her next venture, Makers Mindset, as she explained in a LinkedIn post. Makers Mindset provides women founders with resources, best practices, and community to build and scale strategically. According to its website, its support includes an accelerator, workshop, and $50,000 grant in partnership with The Equity Studio, an investment firm founded by Anna Sweeting.

According to WWD, Sweeting and Twine said the grant is “rooted in the shared belief that true impact stems from supporting brands with both capital and community.” They also add it will “fast-track” recipients “towards tangible growth, by giving them the capital, tools, and amplification they need. All without taking a single share of their business.”

The grant will focus on early-stage women-led beauty, health, and wellness consumer brands. Five founders will receive a $10,000 equity-free grant, each with exposure on the Makers Mindset and The Equity Studio platforms as well as mentorship from seasoned leaders.

“At Makers Mindset, we’re deeply committed to bridging the gaps that women founders face — access, funding and real-world insight,” Twine said, according to WWD. “This grant is about showing up for the next generation of entrepreneurs in meaningful, tangible ways. Partnering with The Equity Studio allows us to scale that mission and make a lasting imprint on the consumer industry.”

Sweeting commented:

“At The Equity Studio, empowering bold founders and helping brands grow sustainably is at the heart of what we do. Collaborating with Makers Mindset to bring this grant program to life felt completely natural and now, together, we can double down on our impact and amplify underrepresented voices.”