AllAboutLaw

Sponsored by

BPP
AllAboutLaw

Sponsored by

BPP
AllAboutLaw

From start-up to sale: Hailey Bieber's $1bn Rhode exit

Episode #3014 July 2025

Rhode, Hailey Bieber’s skincare brand, is being snapped up by cosmetics giant e.l.f. Beauty for a tidy sum of up to $1 billion, depending on business performance. No longer at risk of being condemned to the celebrity brand abyss, the deal is all the more impressive when you consider Rhode was only founded in 2022. Beneath the gloss, this acquisition shows how legal strategy underpins every stage of a startup’s journey, from formation to final sale.

Beginner summary

Hailey Bieber’s skincare brand, Rhode, is being acquired by e.l.f. Beauty in a deal structured around cash, shares, and a performance-based earn-out. The company’s rapid rise and strong brand identity have made it an attractive target. Hailey Bieber will remain as Chief Creative Officer, helping to preserve the brand’s public appeal. For aspiring lawyers, the deal underscores the pivotal role that legal teams play in shaping complex acquisitions involving intellectual property, brand continuity, and founder involvement.

Intermediate summary
Advanced summary
Full article
Complete beginner, intermediate and advanced breakdowns, plus questions to ponder.

Read the full episode for free

Register to unlock the intermediate and advanced analysis, the full article breakdown, and questions to take into your next interview.

Intermediate analysisAdvanced analysisQuestions to ponderFull article
Related episodes
Cuthbert on trial: how supermarket IP wars make for legal drama
Cuthbert on trial: how supermarket IP wars make for legal drama
Episode #1912 May 2025
BAFTAs, Brands & Celebrities
BAFTAs, Brands & Celebrities
Episode #1114 April 2025
The one dollar lawsuit between Patagonia and Pattie Gonia
The one dollar lawsuit between Patagonia and Pattie Gonia
Episode #7711 June 2026
False endorsement and the multi-million-dollar battle over celebrity likeness
False endorsement and the multi-million-dollar battle over celebrity likeness
Episode #7421 May 2026