Who can apply for BEAUTY&YOU India 2026?

Founders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and creatives aged 18 or above who are building for the Indian beauty market can apply. This includes individuals with pre-launch ideas to established brands.

Is BEAUTY&YOU India 2026 only for existing beauty startups?

No, the program is designed to support a wide range of applicants. It is open to pre-launch and early-stage founders seeking initial funding through categories like 'IMAGINE', as well as revenue-generating brands looking for growth capital via the 'GROW' category.

What categories are available?

The program features five distinct award categories: GROW (for revenue-generating brands seeking growth capital), IMAGINE (for pre-launch and early-stage founders), DESIGN (for creative founders in design and visual arts for beauty), and BREAKTHROUGH (for innovators in beauty technologies, ingredients, or business models).

What is the total prize money?

BEAUTY&YOU India 2026 offers a substantial total prize pool of ₹4 crore across its five award categories.

Do I need to have sales to apply?

No, having sales is not a universal requirement. The IMAGINE category specifically caters to pre-revenue applicants or those with up to USD 100,000 in sales. However, the GROW category is for brands that are already revenue-generating with sales exceeding USD 100,000.

Can Indian founders living outside India apply?

Yes, Indian founders based outside India are eligible to apply, provided their business concept or plan is specifically designed for the Indian market and consumers.

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline for BEAUTY&YOU India 2026 is 25 August 2026.

Is a pitch video required?

Yes, a pitch video is a mandatory component of the application for all categories. Specific details regarding its length and format are provided within the application itself.

BEAUTY&YOU India 2026 – Up to ₹4 Cr

क्या मैं यह ग्रांट जीत सकता/सकती हूँ — और क्यों?

आपके स्टार्टअप की प्रोफ़ाइल के आधार पर पांच-आयामी विश्लेषण — इस ग्रांट में आप कहाँ जीतते हैं और कहाँ पीछे रह जाते हैं, ताकि आवेदन करने से पहले आपको पता हो।

आवेदन प्रक्रिया

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Review Eligibility
Applicants review eligibility criteria and select the most suitable award category.
आप
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आवेदन कैसे करें

ड्राफ़्ट से वितरण तक चार चरण — हर चरण में एक कार्रवाई।

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आधिकारिक पोर्टल पर जमा करें
आधिकारिक आवेदन लिंक का उपयोग करें और अंतिम रूप से जमा करने से पहले सभी विवरण सत्यापित करें।
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फ़ॉलो अप करें
जमा करने के 5–7 दिन बाद प्राप्ति की पुष्टि और समीक्षा समयरेखा के बारे में पूछने के लिए संपर्क करें।

BEAUTY&YOU India 2026 is a premier beauty entrepreneurship and innovation program launched by The Estée Lauder Companies, in collaboration with Nykaa and supported by Startup India, DPIIT. This initiative is designed to discover and empower the next generation of founders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and creatives who are shaping the future of beauty for Indian consumers.

The program is inclusive, welcoming applications across various stages of development—from nascent pre-launch concepts and early-stage ideas to established beauty brands, pioneering creative projects, and breakthrough technologies. It encourages participants to apply across a broad spectrum of beauty categories, including skincare, hair care, fragrance, makeup, wellness, and beauty-adjacent areas. Additionally, the program fosters innovation in technology, ingredients, formulations, business models, design, and unique creative experiences, aiming to support diverse contributions to the Indian beauty landscape.

BEAUTY&YOU India 2026 features a total prize pool of ₹4 crore distributed across five distinct award categories: GROW, IMAGINE, DESIGN, and BREAKTHROUGH, with a fifth implied category for overall excellence. Alongside financial backing, winners receive invaluable strategic mentorship from industry leaders, potential distribution opportunities via Nykaa, national ecosystem support through Startup India, and global amplification, ensuring significant visibility and growth prospects.

Applications will undergo an initial screening based on eligibility criteria, category fit, and the completeness of the submission, including the mandatory pitch video. Shortlisted applicants will then be rigorously evaluated based on the strength of their market opportunity, the clarity of their problem-solution fit, the innovation inherent in their brand concept or technology, and their potential for significant impact within the dynamic Indian beauty market. Finalists will be invited to pitch their concepts live to a distinguished judging panel in October 2026. This panel typically comprises prominent beauty industry leaders, investors, and senior representatives from The Estée Lauder Companies and Nykaa. Winners will be ultimately selected based on the quality of their pitch, the commercial viability of their venture, the degree of innovation, and overall alignment with the program's strategic objectives.

BEAUTY&YOU India 2026

BEAUTY&YOU India 2026

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