Mumbai, October 2026: The Estée Lauder Companies has announced the winners of BEAUTY&YOU India 2026.
The company runs the programme 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. Five winners emerged across in-market brands, early-stage concepts, fragrance innovation, creative design and women’s entrepreneurship.
Five Years of Backing India’s Beauty Entrepreneurs
BEAUTY&YOU India launched in 2022 to find and support emerging beauty founders. Since then, it has given them funding, mentorship, industry expertise, distribution support and strategic opportunities.
Stéphane de La Faverie, President and CEO of The Estée Lauder Companies, called India one of the most exciting forces in global beauty. He said the fifth year reflects the company’s long-term commitment to the next generation of beauty entrepreneurs.
Nadine Graf, President of EUKEM (Europe, UK&I and Emerging Markets), highlighted the creativity she sees across the country. She pointed to founders in smaller cities and women building impact-led businesses. In addition, she said the company wants to connect Indian talent with global expertise, mentorship and opportunities.
The 2026 BEAUTY&YOU India Winners
GROW (Best In-Market Beauty Brand): Laani
Nirja Bhatt founded Laani to make sweat and odour control products for Indian heat, humidity and skin. Its lead product is a water-based clear deodorant stick. It dries instantly, leaves no residue and targets underarm pigmentation.
IMAGINE (Best Early-Stage Beauty Concept): Boldpurity
CEO Khatija Shabana and Director Syed Mohammad Fouzan lead Boldpurity, a scientist-led skincare concept. The team is developing proprietary formulation technologies. These aim to improve how established active ingredients perform on the skin.
BREAKTHROUGH (Best Innovation in Fragrance): Goyam Green Tech
Directors Ajaykumar Mehta, Shriya Rambhia and Dheer Rambhia run Goyam Green Tech, a green chemistry platform. It uses biobased materials to create high-performing fragrance solutions across formulation, format and consumer experience. The Estée Lauder Companies’ Fragrance Atelier in Paris presented this category.
DESIGN: De Icebreaker Creative Studio
Founder and Creative Director Pankti Sheth runs this packaging and brand design studio. Her team creates culturally aware, commercially relevant designs. As a result, brands can connect locally and compete globally. The award recognises creative talent that could collaborate with a brand from The Estée Lauder Companies.
VISIONARY WOMEN’S AWARD: Agapi Sikkim
Rinzing Choden Bhutia founded Agapi Sikkim, a Himalayan skincare and lifestyle brand. The brand trains and employs women in Sikkim. Consequently, it supports their economic participation and financial independence in India’s Northeast. Startup India, DPIIT, presented the award with the company.
What’s New This Year
The 2026 edition introduced the DESIGN category. It recognises creative talent that reimagines how beauty reaches consumers through packaging, retail and experiences.
Meanwhile, the BREAKTHROUGH category focused on fragrance innovation, with the Fragrance Atelier leading it. Therefore, the category links India’s fragrance craftsmanship with the company’s global innovation network.
The Visionary Women’s Award returned for a second year. It reflects a shared commitment by The Estée Lauder Companies and Startup India to advance women founders.
Government and Industry Voices
Shri Ateesh Kumar Singh, Additional Secretary at Startup India, DPIIT, called the programme an important platform for the next generation of beauty founders. He also praised the Visionary Women’s Award for recognising women who drive impact through innovation and leadership.
Anchit Nayar, Executive Director and CEO of Nykaa Beauty, said India’s beauty ecosystem is evolving quickly. According to him, a new generation of founders brings fresh ideas and a deeper understanding of Indian consumers. He added that Nykaa is proud to partner with The Estée Lauder Companies in supporting these entrepreneurs.
Winners Announced at Mumbai Event
The company revealed the winners at an event in Mumbai. Speakers from The Estée Lauder Companies included Akhil Shrivastava (Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer), Aude Gandon (Chief Digital and Marketing Officer), René Lammers (Executive Vice President and Chief Research and Innovation Officer) and Nadine Graf. Nykaa’s Anchit Nayar, Shri Ateesh Kumar Singh of Startup India, DPIIT, and couturier Gaurav Gupta of Gaurav Gupta Studio also spoke.
A Long-Term Commitment to India
BEAUTY&YOU India is part of The Estée Lauder Companies’ broader commitment to India. That commitment spans more than two decades of serving consumers and partnering across the country’s beauty ecosystem. Going forward, the company will keep supporting the talent and innovation that will shape the industry’s next chapter.