Overview

The Estée Lauder Companies, in partnership with Nykaa and Startup India – an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry – announced the winners of the BEAUTY&YOU India 2026 programme, the country’s premier beauty‑entrepreneurship platform. The programme, launched in 2022, celebrates its fifth anniversary and has, since inception, supported founders and innovators through funding, mentorship, beauty‑industry expertise, distribution assistance and strategic opportunities.

Winners and Categories

  • GROW – Best in‑market beauty brand: Laani, founded by Nirja Bhatt (Founder & CEO), offers high‑performance sweat and odor‑control products tailored for Indian heat, humidity and skin, featuring a water‑based clear deodorant stick that dries instantly, leaves no residue and addresses under‑arm pigmentation.
  • IMAGINE – Best early‑stage beauty concept: Boldpurity, led by Khatija Shabana (CEO) and Syed Mohammad Fouzan (Director), is a scientist‑led skincare concept developing proprietary formulation technologies to enhance delivery and performance of established active ingredients.
  • BREAKTHROUGH – Best innovation in fragrance (presented by The Estée Lauder Companies’ Fragrance Atelier in Paris): Goyam Green Tech, directed by Ajaykumar Mehta, Shriya Rambhia and Dheer Rambhia, provides a green‑chemistry platform that uses biobased materials to create high‑performing fragrance solutions across formulation, format and consumer experience.
  • DESIGN – Creative talent collaboration award: De Icebreaker Creative Studio, founded by Pankti Sheth (Founder & Creative Director), delivers culturally aware and commercially relevant packaging and brand design for consumer categories, helping brands build meaningful, locally resonant experiences.
  • VISIONARY WOMEN’S AWARD – Outstanding woman entrepreneur (presented with Startup India, DPIIT): Agapi Sikkim, founded by Rinzing Choden Bhutia, is a Himalayan skincare and lifestyle brand that creates employment and training opportunities for women in Sikkim, fostering economic participation and financial independence in India’s Northeast.

Program Milestones

The 2026 edition introduced the DESIGN category, underscoring the role of creative expression in shaping consumer discovery and engagement with beauty. The BREAKTHROUGH category focused on fragrance innovation and was anchored by The Estée Lauder Companies’ Fragrance Atelier in Paris, linking India’s fragrance heritage with a global innovation ecosystem.

Event Details

The winners were announced at an event in Mumbai. Remarks were delivered by senior Estée Lauder leaders including Stéphane de La Faverie (President and CEO), Nadine Graf (President, EUKEM – Europe, UK&I and Emerging Markets), Akhil Shrivastava (Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer), Aude Gandon (Chief Digital & Marketing Officer) and René Lammers (Executive Vice President, Chief Research & Innovation Officer). Anchit Nayar, Executive Director & CEO of Nykaa Beauty, highlighted the rapid evolution of India’s beauty ecosystem and the importance of founder‑driven innovation. Shri Ateesh Kumar Singh, Additional Secretary, Startup India, DPIIT, praised the programme’s contribution to India’s startup engine and its focus on women founders. Industry designer Gaurav Gupta also participated as a judge.

Quotes

  • Stéphane de La Faverie: “India is one of the most exciting and inspiring forces in global beauty… We are proud to recognize this year’s winners and celebrate the ideas that will define beauty in India and beyond.”
  • Nadine Graf: “From emerging founders in smaller cities to women entrepreneurs building businesses with real impact, India is showing us how much innovation can come from understanding local consumers, culture, and needs.”
  • Anchit Nayar: “Through BEAUTY&YOU India, we’re proud to partner with The Estée Lauder Companies in supporting entrepreneurs who are bringing new ideas to life and contributing to the next phase of growth in India’s beauty industry.”

Significance

Marking five years, the programme continues to build a community of founders whose ideas are shaping the future of beauty globally, while reinforcing The Estée Lauder Companies’ long‑term commitment to nurturing Indian talent and innovation.