Estée Lauder, Startup India partner to boost beauty innovations in India

INDIA – The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) has collaborated with Startup India, an initiative under the Indian government,  to elevate beauty innovation and support Indian entrepreneurs in the personal care industry.

This collaboration was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding between Estée Lauder’s Indian subsidiary and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Stéphane de La Faverie, president and CEO at ELC, stated, “India is a key strategic market for ELC, with a rapidly evolving prestige beauty industry and a vibrant, tech-driven start-up ecosystem redefining innovation.” 

“As the prestige beauty leader in India, ELC remains deeply committed to shaping the future of beauty in this dynamic landscape.” 

Through initiatives like Beauty & You India and ELC’s entrepreneurial programs, the company will leverage Startup India’s national platform, insights, and expertise to drive growth and innovation in the Indian beauty sector.

The initiative aims to identify and support emerging India-focused beauty brands by offering them grants, mentorship, and access to industry networks to foster their growth and success.

Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, said, “India’s beauty industry is undergoing a major transformation, and collaborations like this play a pivotal role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.”

The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) has introduced 14 new brands in India, spanning the categories of makeup, skincare, haircare, and fragrance, over the last two decades.

Previously, the company invested in Mountain Valley Springs India, the parent company of Forest Essentials, a renowned Indian luxury Ayurvedic skincare brand.

ELC is also strengthening its research in nighttime skincare.

Recently, the company appointed Dr. Matthew Walker as its inaugural Global Sleep Science Advisor to deepen its understanding of the relationship between sleep and skin health.

Dr. Walker, a University of California professor of Neuroscience and Psychology, will provide cutting-edge insights, research, and resources to help Estée Lauder develop solutions addressing the effects of poor sleep on skin health.

In addition, Estée Lauder will serve as the exclusive beauty partner of Dr. Walker’s newly launched Global Sleep Education Foundation, which aims to combat the global sleep-loss crisis through free educational programs and by supporting sleep science research.

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