MUMBAI: Scentials Beautycare & Wellness Pvt Ltd, co-founded by tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi and Jinesh Mehta, has raised Rs 250 million in a Series A round from Unilever Ventures, the startup investment arm of consumer goods giants Unilever Plc.
Scentials launched Virat Kohli’s one8 brand in the fragrance category in January this year and followed it with launching a line of skin care products – Arias – with Bhupathi’s wife actor Lara Dutta.
The company is centered on designing, developing, manufacturing and distributing products through multiple brands across fragrances, skin-care, makeup and men’s grooming which is shaped by the vision and personalities of various Indian celebrities, the Livemint reports.
“There have been multiple success stories with celebrity beauty brands and licenses in the West. With our product and distribution offering, we feel we are able to offer the celebrity an opportunity to create serious value,” Bhupathi said in a statement.
“Scentials is building a unique beauty brands studio platform that combines fast paced innovations across beauty categories with endorsements from top tier Indian celebrities in sports, films & entertainment. The celebrity partnerships provide massive traditional and social media reach driving brand salience. We look forward to supporting Scentials in their growth journey,” said Pawan Chaturvedi, Investment director at Unilever Ventures.
The company’s products are available in both offline and online stores including Shoppers Stop, Lifestyle, More supermarkets and Amazon.in.
The company reportedly plans to expand its offerings by introducing new lines and limited editions, starting with a makeup line from actor and model Malaika Arora before Diwali.
