What: Thirteen Lune, the inclusive beauty platform founded by Nyakio Grieco and Patrick Herning, has raised $8 million in a seed plus investment round, with new participation from The BrainTrust Fund.

Why it is important: Last year, IADS interviewed Grieco to understand more about the inclusive e-commerce beauty marketplace. She created her first beauty brand 20 years ago to celebrate the sophistication of Africa in premium beauty. During the racial reckoning of 2020, she found herself and many other founders of colour on various lists celebrating Black beauty founders.

Alongside an initial Seed round led by Fearless Fund, the new capital means that Thirteen Lune has $12.5 million in total funds raised, which should help it reach profitability this year, according to the company.

While the company declined to disclose a revenue figure, it said that the business has seen 2,000 percent plus sales growth year-over-year. The capital raise will drive its omnichannel approach, supporting brick-and-mortar, experiential retail and Relevant: Your Skin Seen brand expansion. It will also continue expanding into 600 JCPenney locations nationwide and open its own flagship store, a 1,700-square-foot space in Larchmont Village in Los Angeles later this year.

Thirteen Lune raises more capital