Esther Uzodinma has won ₦5 million for her beauty brand, EsteBare, at the Beauty in the Motherland (BITML) 2026 Business Pitch Competition, which concluded on October 7 alongside the final day of the three-day BITML exhibition at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos.
The Lagos-based brand focuses on hair removal and body confidence for melanin-rich skin, with Uzodinma building EsteBare around the idea that women should not have to choose between looking good and feeling comfortable. The brand says its mission is to change how women experience hair removal while creating more open conversations around body confidence.
That focus on solving a specific beauty need also formed part of the business Uzodinma presented during the pitch competition, which was organised in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC). Beyond the final pitch, participating businesses received training, mentorship and business development support before shortlisted founders presented their brands to a panel of judges and the BITML audience.
The ₦5 million prize now gives EsteBare capital to take the business further, while the training and mentorship provided through the programme offer additional support as the brand grows. For an early-stage beauty business, that combination can be particularly significant, especially in a sector where many women-led brands depend heavily on personal funds to develop products and reach more customers.
Uzodinma’s win therefore gives EsteBare more than a moment in the spotlight. It provides the brand with funding and business support at a stage when access to both can determine how quickly a young beauty company moves from building its foundation to expanding its reach.
