The Estée Lauder Companies, in collaboration with Nykaa and Startup India, has announced the 14 finalists for the BEAUTY&YOU India 2026 program. This initiative aims to discover and support emerging Indian beauty entrepreneurs. The program, now in its fifth year, reflects The Estée Lauder Companies’ commitment to nurturing innovation in the beauty sector within India.
The finalists were selected from a competitive pool of applicants across four categories: GROW for established beauty brands, IMAGINE for early-stage concepts, DESIGN for creative talent, and BREAKTHROUGH for innovation. The BREAKTHROUGH category, in partnership with The Estée Lauder Companies’ Fragrance Atelier in Paris, specifically seeks to connect Indian innovators with global fragrance expertise.
BEAUTY&YOU India Finalists Announced
The 14 selected finalists represent a diverse range of businesses and concepts poised to redefine the beauty landscape in India. In the GROW category, 3TENX offers professional hair care solutions for Indian hair, Laani provides sweat and odor control products tailored for Indian climates, and The Curl Co. focuses on textured haircare. These brands are already in the market, addressing specific consumer needs.
The IMAGINE category highlights early-stage concepts with significant potential. Hyeglo Beauty is developing a makeup-meets-skincare line, Neothera offers an acne care program integrating skincare with nutrition, Boldpurity is working on scientist-led skincare with proprietary formulation technologies, and Evove is creating skincare for women experiencing menopausal hormonal shifts.
Innovation in fragrance is a key focus for the BREAKTHROUGH category. Ananthara Biotech is bio-engineering yeast to produce aroma molecules, Goyam Green Tech is developing greener fragrance ingredients using advanced chemistry, BABOSKI is creating a biodegradable delivery platform for fragrances, and La SerentiQa Innovations is developing a biomimetic platform for cosmetic actives. These finalists are exploring novel approaches to ingredient creation and delivery.
The DESIGN category recognizes creative talent with the potential for brand collaboration. De Icebreaker Creative Studio specializes in packaging and brand design, Guerrilla Art & Design Pvt. Ltd. is a multidisciplinary studio interested in Indian craft, and Rhevan reimagines beauty through Indian artistry and traditional techniques. These finalists bring a unique artistic perspective to the beauty industry.
Supporting Entrepreneurial Growth
Winners of the BEAUTY&YOU India 2026 program will receive financial support from a prize pool of up to $500,000. Additionally, they will benefit from mentorship, distribution support, and strategic opportunities facilitated by The Estée Lauder Companies, Nykaa, and Startup India. This comprehensive support system is designed to accelerate the growth of these burgeoning businesses.
A fifth honor, the Visionary Women’s Award, will be presented in partnership with Startup India. This award will recognize an outstanding woman entrepreneur whose leadership is making a significant community impact, inspired by The Estée Lauder Companies’ own founding by a trailblazing woman. The finalists will present their ventures to a distinguished panel of judges in Mumbai, with winners announced at the BEAUTY&YOU India 2026 Awards.
The jury panel comprises experts from The Estée Lauder Companies, including Akhil Shrivastava, Aude Gandon, and René Lammers, alongside industry leaders such as Anchit Nayar of Nykaa Beauty, Katrina Kaif, Masaba Gupta, and various other specialists. This diverse group will evaluate the finalists’ presentations and business potential.
The BEAUTY&YOU India program underscores The Estée Lauder Companies’ dedication to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation within the dynamic Indian beauty market. The initiative aims to cultivate the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of beauty in the region.