The Estee Lauder Companies Partners with India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry to Advance Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Beauty
New Delhi, India – The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (ELC) has announced a pioneering partnership through its subsidiary in India with Startup India. This initiative, launched by the Government of India, focuses on strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem and empowering the next generation of Indian entrepreneurs. The collaboration, established via a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, underscores ELC’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within India’s thriving beauty and personal care market.
This partnership is groundbreaking, marking the first collaboration of its kind between a global beauty company and Startup India. It aims to integrate Startup India’s national platform, insights, and expertise into ELC’s prominent entrepreneurial program, BEAUTY&YOU India. The program is dedicated to discovering and promoting the next wave of India-focused beauty brands. In celebration of International Women’s Day, ELC also announced an expansion of BEAUTY&YOU India to feature an initiative designed to recognize and support women entrepreneurs. This initiative pays homage to ELC’s roots as a company founded by a woman entrepreneur and reflects the fact that a significant majority of BEAUTY&YOU India applicants have been women.
To commemorate the official launch of the partnership, key figures including Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, and Stephane de La Faverie, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Estee Lauder Companies, were present. This marked de La Faverie’s inaugural visit to the country since he became President and CEO in January 2025.
“We are honoured 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,” stated de La Faverie. “India is a key strategic market for ELC, with a rapidly evolving prestige beauty industry and a vibrant, tech-driven startup ecosystem redefining innovation. As the prestige beauty leader in India, ELC remains deeply committed to shaping the future of beauty in this dynamic landscape.”
Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary of DPIIT, shared, “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 Estee Lauder Companies to create new opportunities for emerging beauty brands in India.”
Rohan Vaziralli, General Manager at The Estee Lauder Companies, India, commented, “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.”
The Estee Lauder Companies leads as the premier prestige beauty company in India. Over the past two decades, ELC has successfully introduced 14 brands locally, covering makeup, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Their commitment to bolstering rising brands, businesses, and talent in India is further evidenced by strategic investments, such as the one in Mountain Valley Springs India Private Limited, known for Forest Essentials, a luxury Ayurvedic brand based in India. Launched in 2022, BEAUTY&YOU India actively supports India-focused beauty innovators with grants, mentorship, and industry access customized for entrepreneurship at various stages. This initiative has attracted over 1,500 applicants from more than 150 cities, promoting a diverse community of innovators and supporting women-led enterprises.
The expansion of BEAUTY&YOU India enriches ELC’s ongoing efforts to enhance women’s workforce participation, advocate for women’s health, and uplift women and girls across the nation. To uphold this mission, The Estee Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation and M*A*C Cosmetics have significantly contributed, with over $7 million donated in the past decade through nonprofit partnerships. These initiatives include Pratham, Plastics for Change, and Room to Read. Additionally, ELC’s global Breast Cancer Campaign has advanced towards a world free of breast cancer by promoting awareness, funding research, and empowering women to manage their breast health effectively. The campaign continues its impactful work in India through alliances, notably with The Women’s Cancer Initiative-Tata Memorial Hospital, which supports breast health education and treatments.
