Unilever has invested in a newly established skincare brand | CBO FM

The head office is located in Mumbai, founded by an Indian female entrepreneur in March of this year, it is a rapidly emerging skincare brand. Recently, the brand received its first external investment through Series A financing from Unilever Ventures. This investment will be used to enrich the product line, strengthen brand promotion, aid recruitment, and support operation funds. Among Sugarbox's customers, women play a significant role, while many male customers often order products for their family members or spouses. Especially during holidays, gift boxes become a popular choice for giving to friends and relatives. Having come from a business family, Niharika has been deeply interested in entrepreneurship from a young age. She stated, “Entering the entrepreneurial world was a natural progression for me.” She looks forward to expanding Sugarbox's services to more Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Meanwhile, Niharika has a strong interest in dance and cultures around the world, which has planted a seed for her other brand.

However, the report also emphasizes that entering the Indian market is "full of challenges". Unlike other Asian countries, India's vast territory and diverse ethnic groups result in widely varying consumer preferences across the country. To succeed in the Indian market, brands must develop a series of strategies targeting specific regions (even specific cities) rather than relying on a generic or single market strategy.

Supported by Unilever Ventures, ClayCo is preparing to scale up its business and launch new products, including a Moroccan-style body care series. These funds will also be used to support marketing campaigns, expand customer engagement, and drive research and innovation.

Founder Niharika stated: “We are excited to partner with industry pioneer Unilever Ventures. Their support is perfectly aligned with our long-term goals. This funding will enable us to increase brand awareness, launch new products, invest in R&D, and drive our growth.”

“As consumers’ awareness increases regarding global ingredients like fermented rice, ginseng, and CICA (Centella Asiatica), they are willing to invest in high-quality, effective skincare products.” she added.

Unilever continues its strong support for the Indian beauty market, having earlier invested in Indian dermacosmetic skincare brand SkinInspired and the Indian beauty and personal care brand WishCare, which promotes fermented rice water.

Pawan Chaturvedi, Asia Partner at Unilever Ventures, stated: “Unilever Ventures is thrilled to support Clayco in its mission to elevate India’s beauty landscape by introducing global beauty rituals that celebrate individuality and innovation.”