DPIIT and Estée Lauder Companies Partner to Boost India’s Beauty Startup Ecosystem

With India’s beauty and personal care industry projected to grow rapidly over the next decade, this partnership is poised to create a supportive ecosystem for homegrown brands.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (ELC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and growth in India’s booming beauty and personal care sector. This strategic partnership is set to provide emerging beauty brands with critical funding, mentorship, industry knowledge, and access to a global network of beauty and business experts.

A key highlight of this collaboration is the integration of Startup India’s national platform with ELC’s flagship entrepreneurial program, BEAUTY&YOU India, aimed at nurturing and scaling innovative beauty startups. Recognizing the significant role of women entrepreneurs in the industry, ELC has also announced a dedicated category within the program to support women-founded startups, reinforcing its commitment to gender equality and business leadership.

Strengthening India’s Beauty Startup Ecosystem

The MoU, signed by Dr. Sumeet Jarangal, Director, DPIIT, and Mr. Rohan Vaziralli, General Manager, The Estée Lauder Companies India, marks a significant step in supporting the next generation of beauty entrepreneurs in India. The initiative will provide startups with:

• Funding opportunities to fuel business expansion.
• Mentorship from industry veterans to guide product development, branding, and business strategy.
• Market insights and networking access to help startups navigate India’s dynamic beauty landscape.
• Global exposure through ELC’s international ecosystem of beauty and personal care leaders.

Leaders Speak on the Collaboration

Speaking on the partnership, Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, emphasized the transformative potential of the initiative:

“India’s beauty industry is undergoing remarkable growth and innovation. This collaboration with The Estée Lauder Companies is a crucial step in equipping emerging beauty startups with the tools they need to thrive. By fostering entrepreneurship, we aim to create a strong and globally competitive beauty sector in India.”

Mr. Rohan Vaziralli, General Manager, The Estée Lauder Companies India, highlighted ELC’s vision for the program:

“Through BEAUTY&YOU India, we have been at the forefront of supporting founders and innovations that are shaping the future of beauty in India. The introduction of a dedicated category for women-founded startups is a testament to our ongoing mission to promote women’s leadership and empowerment across our business, industry, and communities in India.”

A Step Toward a Thriving Beauty Industry in India

With India’s beauty and personal care industry projected to grow rapidly over the next decade, this partnership is poised to create a supportive ecosystem for homegrown brands. By combining government initiatives with private sector expertise, the DPIIT-ELC collaboration will accelerate startup growth, encourage product innovation, and strengthen India’s presence in the global beauty market.

The signing ceremony, attended by senior officials from both organizations, marked the beginning of what is expected to be a game-changing initiative for the Indian beauty startup ecosystem.