Thirteen Lune founder Nyakio Grieco buys back her beauty platform, plans South Africa launch
What's the deal? Nyakio Grieco has reacquired inclusive beauty retail platform Thirteen Lune from SNR CapitalDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, alongside returning investors. Terms were not disclosed.
What's the backstory? Grieco cofounded the company with Patrick Herning in 2020. When Thirteen Lune sold to SNR in 2024, she became chief executive officer and Herning left the business.
Why now? The buyback follows the November 2025 dismissal of a lawsuit against Grieco and Thirteen Lune. Plaintiff Relevance VenturesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → withdrew claims of fund misappropriation, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty, attributing the case to "an unfortunate misunderstanding" over information "inadvertently not provided," said chairman Dean Newton.
Who's backing it? Grieco said the same early investors returned, including Brain TrustDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and Fearless FundDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. "It's the same VCs that have been riding with me since Day One," she told WWD.
What's the endgame? The reacquisition coincides with Thirteen Lune's first international expansion, via a partnership with TakealotDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, South Africa's largest online retailer. The tie-up will bring a curated portfolio of beauty brands to South African consumers late in the fourth quarter of 2026, including Grieco's skin care line, Relevant BeautyDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →.
Why South Africa? Grieco framed the move as personal. "My father dedicated years of his life's work to South Africa," she said, adding that the platform aims to create "a direct pipeline for South African consumers to discover leading US and global beauty brands."
The signal: Founder buybacks remain rare, and Grieco's return signals investor conviction in inclusive beauty even after restructuring and litigation. Pairing the ownership reset with an overseas debut suggests the platform is betting its next chapter lies beyond the US market.
Read more: wwd.com
Image credit: stockmanngroup
