Nykaa

Nykaa was founded by Falguni Nayar, in 2012 with a vision to create a comprehensive and convenient shopping experience for beauty enthusiasts. The company started as an online platform and later expanded to an omnichannel model in 2015.

The name "Nykaa" originated from the Sanskrit word "Nayaka," meaning one in the spotlight.

Nykaa's working model revolves around its user-friendly website and app, giving customers easy access to browse and purchase their preferred beauty products. The platform provides comprehensive product descriptions, expert reviews, and beauty tips, to help customers make well-informed decisions.

In 2020, Nykaa became the first Indian unicorn to be headed by a solo woman founder.

Over the years, Nykaa has raised over $215 million in funding across 15 rounds from marquee investors like Steadview Capital, Morgan Stanley, and Fidelity, among others.

In October 2021, FSN E-commerce Ventures, Nykaa’s parent company, opened up its IPO, raising more than Rs 5,000 crore. In November, the stock was listed at an 80% premium, making Nayar the richest self-made billionaire in the country.

Today, Nykaa has several brands under its wing—Nykaa Naturals, Nykaa Cosmetics, Kay Beauty, 20 Dresses, and others. Since 2019, it has also made several strategic acquisitions.