DPIIT and Estée Lauder Join Hands, A Boost To Beauty Startup Ecosystem

India’s beauty and personal care industry is witnessing an unprecedented transformation. Once dominated by legacy brands and traditional formulations, the sector is now teeming with homegrown startups that are redefining innovation. Riding on the wave of digital disruption, changing consumer preferences, and a growing appetite for high-quality, homegrown products, Indian beauty startups are making their mark globally.

Recognizing this momentum, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has joined forces with The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (ELC) in a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to propel the country’s beauty startup ecosystem to new heights. This first-of-its-kind collaboration aims to bridge the gap between emerging beauty entrepreneurs and global industry expertise, offering them an unparalleled opportunity to grow and scale. Read more about it in this TICE startup story.

The Power of Partnership: What’s in Store?

At the heart of this initiative is a shared vision—fostering innovation, providing financial and strategic support, and creating an inclusive platform for beauty startups to flourish. Through the partnership, DPIIT’s flagship Startup India initiative will integrate with ELC’s BEAUTY&YOU India program to provide funding, mentorship, industry insights, and access to a global network of beauty experts.

For budding beauty entrepreneurs, this MoU unlocks a treasure trove of opportunities. From financial backing to strategic guidance, emerging brands will now have access to a robust ecosystem designed to nurture and scale their businesses. Notably, the partnership also introduces a dedicated category for women-founded beauty startups, reinforcing a commitment to gender inclusivity in the industry.

Why This Matters: A Booming Market with Untapped Potential

The Indian beauty industry is not just growing—it’s exploding. According to industry estimates, India’s beauty and personal care market is projected to reach $30 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of over 10%. With increasing disposable incomes, rising awareness about skincare, and a digitally savvy consumer base, the demand for high-quality, innovative beauty products has never been higher.

Local startups are at the forefront of this revolution, blending Ayurvedic traditions with cutting-edge formulations, sustainability-driven products, and technology-driven personalization. However, scaling these businesses requires more than just passion and product innovation—it demands access to capital, mentorship, and global networks, which is exactly what this collaboration seeks to provide.

The significance of this partnership was underscored by industry leaders and government officials.

Speaking on the occasion, Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, emphasized, “India’s beauty industry is undergoing a major transformation, and collaborations like this play a pivotal role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. We are excited to work with The Estée Lauder Companies to create new opportunities for emerging beauty brands in India.”

Adding to this, Sumeet Jarangal, Director, Startup India, DPIIT, echoed the sentiment, highlighting that the beauty and personal care industry in India is at an inflection point, and global collaborations will serve as catalysts for further growth and innovation.

On the industry front, Guillaume de La Faverie, Global President, Estée Lauder & AERIN Beauty, and Executive Group President, ELC, shared his excitement about the initiative. He remarked, “We are honored to be the first global beauty company to partner with Startup India to help reimagine the future of beauty by nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs—especially women, who have long been the backbone of our industry.”

Highlighting India’s growing influence in the global beauty market, he added, “India is a key strategic market for ELC, with a rapidly evolving prestige beauty industry and a vibrant, tech-driven startup ecosystem redefining innovation.”

A Special Focus on Women Entrepreneurs

One of the most significant aspects of this partnership is its emphasis on women entrepreneurs. From time immemorial, women have played a defining role in shaping the beauty industry, both as consumers and creators. The introduction of a dedicated category for women-led beauty startups under the BEAUTY&YOU India initiative marks a crucial step toward gender inclusivity and empowerment.

Rohan Vaziralli, General Manager, The Estée Lauder Companies India, reaffirmed this commitment, stating, “Through BEAUTY&YOU India, ELC has established a record of supporting founders and innovations that are shaping the future of beauty in India. We are proud to add a dedicated category for female-founded startups, which reflects our longstanding mission to promote women’s advancement and leadership in our business, industry, and communities in India.”

Setting the Stage for a New Era of Beauty Entrepreneurship

The signing of this MoU signifies more than just a strategic collaboration—it marks the beginning of a new era for Indian beauty entrepreneurs. With DPIIT’s policy expertise and ELC’s global industry leadership, startups will now have access to resources that were previously out of reach. This initiative is expected to create new growth avenues, facilitate global partnerships, and further cement India’s position as a rising hub for beauty innovation.

For ambitious beauty founders looking to make a mark in the industry, the message is clear—there has never been a better time to build, innovate, and scale. As this partnership unfolds, the Indian beauty startup ecosystem is set to undergo a transformation that could very well redefine its global standing.

With the perfect blend of policy support, financial aid, mentorship, and global exposure, the next generation of Indian beauty brands is poised to shine on the world stage. This is not just a makeover for the industry—it’s a revolution in the making.