The Estée Lauder Companies, together with Indian beauty retailer Nykaa and the government initiative Startup India, has selected 14 finalists for the 2026 edition of Beauty&You India. Held for the fifth time, the entrepreneurship programme aims to support the next generation of Indian beauty businesses and cosmetics innovations. The finalists compete in four categories: “Grow” for established beauty brands, “Imagine” for early-stage concepts, “Breakthrough” for innovations and, for the first time, “Design” for creative beauty ideas. This year’s programme places a particular focus on fragrance innovation. The “Breakthrough” category is hosted in collaboration with Estée Lauder Paris’ Fragrance Atelier, the group’s global innovation centre. The award is intended to honour India’s long heritage of fragrance craftsmanship and connect Indian innovators with The Estée Lauder Companies’ ecosystem.

Biotechnology for fragrances

Among the finalists is startup Ananthara Biotech, which uses bioengineered yeast to produce aroma molecules and focuses on santalols. Goyam Green Tech is developing more sustainable fragrance ingredients, including solutions made from glycerine bio-waste. Baboski is working on a biodegradable platform designed to protect fragrance and active ingredients and release them in a controlled manner, while La SerentiQa Innovations combines various delivery systems. Concepts for the Indian market are also at the centre of developments in skincare and haircare – a market regarded as one of the most dynamic worldwide. 3TENX, for example, develops professional care products for Indian hair types, while The Curl Co. offers affordable products for Indian curl and wave patterns. Laani focuses on combating sweat and odour under Indian conditions with a water-based deodorant stick, while Evove develops skincare products for women going through menopause.

US$500,000 in support

Three applicants have reached the final in the new “Design” category. De Icebreaker Creative Studio develops packaging and brand designs, while Guerrilla Art & Design combines packaging and illustration with Indian craft and visual traditions. Rhevan transfers traditional craft techniques and handmade objects into contemporary beauty concepts. The finalists will present their ideas to a jury in Mumbai. The winners will receive support from a prize pool of up to US$500,000, as well as mentoring, distribution support and further opportunities through Estée Lauder, Nykaa and Startup India. A fifth award, the “Visionary Women’s Award”, honours a female entrepreneur whose leadership has made a significant impact on her community.

Source: The Estée Lauder Companies