India’s Beauty Startups Get Global Boost with DPIIT–L’Oréal India Pact

In a significant push to catalyze innovation in the beauty and personal care segment, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has joined hands with L’Oréal India through a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The collaboration aims to nurture high-potential startups operating in key areas such as beauty tech, sustainable packaging, inclusive beauty, and anti-counterfeiting technologies.

The partnership underscores a broader ambition to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem by aligning global corporate expertise with local entrepreneurial energy. Under this MoU, L’Oréal India will launch the Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program on the Startup India platform, providing select startups access to mentorship, market access, and opportunities to pilot their solutions in real-world settings.

The initiative is expected to significantly elevate India’s positioning in the global beauty-tech value chain while supporting the government’s larger “Make in India” and “Startup India” agendas.

Enabling a New Wave of Beauty-Tech Innovation

Speaking on the collaboration, Sanjiv, Joint Secretary at DPIIT, emphasized the value of cross-sectoral partnerships:

“Industry partnerships like this are vital for driving innovation-led growth. DPIIT remains committed to fostering impactful engagement between global corporates and Indian startups.”

The program will serve as a launchpad for startups that are reimagining how consumers experience personal care, from advanced beauty technology to sustainable and inclusive products.

Aseem Kaushik, Managing Director of L’Oréal India, also expressed enthusiasm about the initiative:

“Innovation is central to L’Oréal’s DNA. We are excited to co-create solutions with India’s startup talent and reinforce our commitment to the Make in India vision.”

Ministerial Backing and Strategic Alignment

Highlighting the strategic importance of the partnership, Union Minister Piyush Goyal recently met with Aseem Kaushik and Krishna Vilasini Bharadwaj, Director – Corporate Affairs & Engagement at L’Oréal India. The meeting focused on the company’s expansion roadmap in India, with a special emphasis on enhancing exports, investing in skill development, and nurturing a future-ready talent pipeline for the beauty and personal care industry.

This engagement marks yet another instance of DPIIT’s proactive approach to enabling innovation-driven collaborations between startups and multinational corporations.

What It Means for Startups

The MoU opens new doors for startups in the beauty space to gain visibility, receive corporate mentorship, and even co-develop products with L’Oréal India. By bridging innovation with execution, the partnership aims to accelerate the growth of scalable, impact-driven solutions that cater to both domestic and international markets.

From eco-friendly packaging to AI-driven beauty diagnostics, the Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program is expected to attract a new wave of founders committed to reshaping the future of personal care.

This partnership is more than just an MoU—it’s a strategic signal of India’s rising potential in niche innovation verticals. As DPIIT continues to champion startup growth across sectors, initiatives like this reaffirm the Startup India mission: empowering Indian entrepreneurs to lead global transformation through innovation, sustainability, and collaboration.