Nykaa
Nykaa, operated by FSN E-Commerce Ventures Ltd, is an Indian e-commerce company headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Founded in 2012 by Falguni Nayar, it specializes in beauty, wellness, and fashion products, offering over 2,000 brands and 200,000 products across its online platforms and more than 100 physical stores. Nykaa transitioned from an online-only model to an omnichannel retailer in 2015, integrating physical retail with its digital presence. The company is known for its curated product offerings, technology-driven personalization, and content platforms like Nykaa TV and Beauty Book. In 2020, it became the first Indian unicorn startup led by a woman. Nykaa’s initial public offering (IPO) in 2021 valued the company at nearly US$13 billion, cementing its position as a leading player in India’s beauty and fashion e-commerce market.[1][2]
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Company type | Public |
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BSE: 543384 NSE: NYKAA | |
Industry | E-commerce, Retail |
Founded | April 2012 |
Founder | Falguni Nayar |
Headquarters | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
Key people |
|
Products | Beauty, wellness, and fashion products |
Services | Online retail, physical stores, content platforms |
Revenue | ₹5,143.8 crore (FY 2023) |
₹21 crore (FY 2023) | |
Number of employees | 7,027 (2025) |
Website | www |
Founders & Leadership
Nykaa was founded by Falguni Nayar, who serves as the Executive Chairperson, Managing Director, and CEO. Nayar, a graduate of IIM Ahmedabad with a post-graduate diploma in management, has nearly three decades of experience in investment banking, including 18 years at Kotak Mahindra Capital Company, where she was a managing director. She founded Nykaa at age 49, inspired by the success of Sephora and the untapped potential of India’s online beauty market. Nayar has received numerous accolades, including the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2019 and Businesswoman of the Year by The Economic Times in 2019.[3][4]
Other key leaders include:
- Anchit Nayar, CEO of Beauty E-Commerce, holds a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University and has over 10 years of experience in e-commerce and banking, previously serving as Vice President at Morgan Stanley.[5]
- Adwaita Nayar, CEO of Nykaa Fashion, is an Executive Director and co-founder, recognized as a 2024 Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.[6]
- P Ganesh, CFO, is a qualified Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary with 27 years of experience in financial reporting and mergers.[7]
- Vishal Gupta, CEO of Superstore, holds degrees from IIT Delhi and IIM Bangalore, with 27 years at Unilever.[8]
Timeline
Year | Milestone |
---|---|
2012 | Nykaa founded by Falguni Nayar as an e-commerce platform for beauty and wellness products.[9] |
2013 | Website launched commercially around Diwali.[10] |
2015 | Expanded to omnichannel model with physical stores.[11] |
2018 | Launched Nykaa Fashion and Nykaa PRO.[12] |
2019 | Partnered with Katrina Kaif to launch Kay Beauty.[13] |
2020 | Became India’s first woman-led unicorn startup; launched Nykaa Man.[14] |
2021 | IPO raised ₹5,352 crore, listed on BSE and NSE.[15] |
2022 | Acquired 18.51% stake in Earth Rhythm and 100% of Little Black Book (LBB).[16] |
2023 | Reported revenue of ₹5,143.8 crore and net profit of ₹21 crore.[17] |
2024 | Acquired majority stake in Earth Rhythm; expanded to 1900+ brands.[18] |
Funding
Date | Round | Amount | Investors |
---|---|---|---|
2015 | Series B | ₹20 crore | TVS Shriram Growth Fund[19] |
2016 | Series C | ₹67 crore | TVS Shriram Growth Fund[20] |
2018 | Series D | ₹165 crore | Existing investors[21] |
April 2020 | Private Equity | US$13 million | Steadview Capital[22] |
May 2020 | Private Equity | ₹67 crore | Steadview Capital[23] |
November 2020 | Secondary Sale | Undisclosed | Fidelity Management & Research Company[24] |
October 2021 | Anchor Investment | ₹2,396 crore | Anchor investors[25] |
October 2021 | IPO | ₹5,352 crore | Public investors[26] |
Business Model
Nykaa operates an inventory-based e-commerce model for its beauty and wellness segment, sourcing products directly from manufacturers to ensure authenticity. Its fashion segment, Nykaa Fashion, functions as a curated marketplace. The company generates revenue through:
- Product Sales: Primary revenue from selling beauty, wellness, and fashion products, including in-house brands like Nykaa Cosmetics and Kay Beauty.
- Marketplace Commissions: Earned from third-party sellers on Nykaa Fashion.
- Advertising: Banner ads and sponsored content on its platforms.
- Miscellaneous Income: Includes discounts and promotional campaigns.[27][28]
Nykaa targets diverse customer segments, including women, men, and children, across beauty, wellness, and fashion categories. It leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning for personalized recommendations, enhancing customer experience. The company also operates B2B platform Superstore by Nykaa, serving offline beauty stores and salons.[29]
Products / Services
Nykaa offers a wide range of products and services:
- Beauty and Wellness: Includes cosmetics, skincare, haircare, fragrances, bath and body products, and wellness items from over 2,000 brands, including Nykaa Cosmetics, Nykaa Naturals, Kay Beauty, and Dot & Key.
- Fashion: Nykaa Fashion offers clothing, accessories, footwear, and home decor across women, men, kids, and home categories, with 1,500+ brands and 1.8 million products.
- Content Platforms: Nykaa TV (YouTube channel), Beauty Book (magazine), and Nykaa Network (online community) provide beauty and fashion content, including tutorials and reviews.
- Physical Retail: Operates over 100 stores under Nykaa Luxe, Nykaa On Trend, and Nykaa Kiosks formats.
- B2B Services: Superstore by Nykaa distributes beauty products to offline retailers.[30]
Growth & Metrics
As of 2025, Nykaa has a user base of over 23 million monthly active users in its beauty and personal care segment. The company reported a gross merchandise value (GMV) of ₹9,743.3 crore and revenue of ₹5,143.8 crore in FY 2023, with a net profit of ₹21 crore. Nykaa’s e-commerce platforms attract 7.4 million unique visitors monthly, with 50% of 12.6 million total visits driven by organic search and direct traffic. The company operates over 100 physical stores and occupies 5 million square feet of warehouse space. Nykaa employs 7,027 people as of 2025.[31][32][33]
Legal Entity Information
Field | Details |
---|---|
Legal Name | FSN E-Commerce Ventures Ltd |
Foundation Date | April 2012 |
Registrar of Companies (ROC) | ROC Mumbai |
Corporate Identification Number (CIN) | L52600MH2012PLC230136 |
Registered Address | 104, Vasan Udyog Bhavan, Sun Mill Compound, Tulsi Pipe Road, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
Company Status | Active |
Directors |
|
Authorized Share Capital | ₹325 crore |
Paid-up Capital | ₹285.7 crore |
Acquisitions and Investments
Nykaa has pursued strategic acquisitions and investments to expand its portfolio:
Media & Public Recognition
Nykaa has received significant recognition:
- Awards: Falguni Nayar won EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2019, Businesswoman of the Year (Economic Times, 2019), EY World Entrepreneur of the Year 2022, and DNA Women Achievers Award 2023. Adwaita Nayar was named a 2024 Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.[39]
- Media Coverage: Featured in Forbes, The Economic Times, and The Times of India for its innovative business model and growth.[40][41]
- Campaigns: Notable campaigns include #BreakTheHashtag with Taapsee Pannu and #WhatMakesYourBeautiful with Laxmi Agarwal.[42]
FAQs
- What is Nykaa?
- Nykaa is an Indian e-commerce company specializing in beauty, wellness, and fashion products, operating both online and through over 100 physical stores.[43]
- Who founded Nykaa?
- Nykaa was founded by Falguni Nayar in 2012, a former investment banker with Kotak Mahindra Capital Company.[44]
- What is Nykaa’s business model?
- Nykaa operates an inventory-based model for beauty and wellness and a marketplace model for fashion, earning through product sales, commissions, and advertising.[45]
- How many products does Nykaa offer?
- Nykaa retails over 2,000 brands and 200,000 products in beauty and wellness, and 1,500+ brands with 1.8 million products in fashion.[46]
- What are Nykaa’s in-house brands?
- Nykaa’s in-house brands include Nykaa Cosmetics, Nykaa Naturals, Kay Beauty, and Dot & Key.[47]
External Links
Related Startups
References
- ↑ "Nykaa - Wikipedia". Wikipedia. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa Success Story". StartupTalky. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Key Management Personnel". Nykaa. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ Gooptu, Biswarup (8 March 2021). "Nykaa's Founder Looks Set To Become A Billionaire". Forbes. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Key Management Personnel". Nykaa. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa Fashion - Company Profile". Tracxn. 4 January 2025. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Key Management Personnel". Nykaa. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Key Management Personnel". Nykaa. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa - Crunchbase Company Profile & Funding". Crunchbase. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa - Wikipedia". Wikipedia. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa Business Model". StartupTalky. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa Fashion - Company Profile". Tracxn. 4 January 2025. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ Gooptu, Biswarup (8 March 2021). "Nykaa's Founder Looks Set To Become A Billionaire". Forbes. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa - Wikipedia". Wikipedia. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa Success Story". StartupTalky. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa - Wikipedia". Wikipedia. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa's Financials in FY23". X. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa Success Story". StartupTalky. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
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- ↑ "Who Are We". Nykaa. 10 August 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Who Are We". Nykaa. 10 August 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "The Success Story of Nykaa". Analytics Steps. 26 November 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa - Wikipedia". Wikipedia. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa - Wikipedia". Wikipedia. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
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- ↑ "Nykaa Success Story". StartupTalky. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa Business Model". StartupTalky. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa Company Analysis". FinShiksha. 27 April 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa Business Model". GrowthX. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa - Wikipedia". Wikipedia. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa's Financials in FY23". X. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa Business Model". GrowthX. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa 2025 Company Profile". PitchBook. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa Company Profile". Zauba Corp. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa Success Story". StartupTalky. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa - Wikipedia". Wikipedia. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa Business Model". GrowthX. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa - Company Profile". Business ABC. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa - Wikipedia". Wikipedia. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ Gooptu, Biswarup (8 March 2021). "Nykaa's Founder Looks Set To Become A Billionaire". Forbes. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ Laghaate, Gaurav (10 August 2022). "Nykaa expects to turn profitable in FY19". The Economic Times. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa - Wikipedia". Wikipedia. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Who Are We". Nykaa. 10 August 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa - Crunchbase Company Profile & Funding". Crunchbase. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa Business Model". StartupTalky. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa - Wikipedia". Wikipedia. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ "Nykaa - Company Profile". Business ABC. Retrieved 25 May 2025.