Gangtok, Oct 16: Agapi, a women-led sustainable skincare and lifestyle startup from Sikkim, has won the Visionary Women’s Award at the BEAUTY&YOU India Awards 2026, marking a significant milestone for the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Founded in 2019 by Rinzing Choden, with Varsha Shrestha as co-founder, Agapi was recognised at the awards presented by The Estée Lauder Companies in association with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India, under the Startup India initiative.
According to the Commerce & Industries Department, Government of Sikkim, the award reflects the growing potential of homegrown enterprises from the state to gain national recognition, attract investment and expand into wider markets.
Under the BEAUTY&YOU India Awards 2026, winners across five categories will share a total prize pool of up to US$500,000. The winners will also receive strategic mentorship from leaders at The Estée Lauder Companies and access to the Startup India ecosystem.
Agapi has also achieved another significant milestone by becoming the first startup from Sikkim to secure Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Emphasising the potential of the state’s emerging enterprises to attract investment.
The company specialises in sustainable skincare and lifestyle products, combining indigenous Himalayan knowledge with natural ingredients and responsible production practices. Its product range includes handcrafted soaps, facial cleansers, creams, body oils and other personal-care products made using Himalayan botanicals such as guras (rhododendron) and mugwort.
The startup has participated in several enterprise development initiatives organised by the Commerce & Industries Department, including Sikkim Utsav, which provides local entrepreneurs with opportunities to showcase their products, connect with buyers and explore new market opportunities.
Its founders have also participated in capacity-building and training programmes under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Scheme, aimed at strengthening business capabilities and improving enterprise readiness.
The department continues to support local businesses through initiatives focused on capacity building, market access, enterprise development and investment promotion. Programmes under Sikkim INSPIRES, along with buyer-seller meets, packaging and branding assistance, and e-commerce market linkages, are helping local enterprises improve their competitiveness and explore opportunities for expansion.
The department described Agapi’s achievement as an encouraging example of how entrepreneurial determination, institutional support and access to markets can help homegrown businesses reach new milestones.
It also Emphasised the importance of nurturing women-led enterprises and creating an enabling environment for startups to grow, attract investment and generate economic opportunities within the state.
The Commerce & Industries Department extended its congratulations to Rinzing Choden and Varsha Shrestha, wishing Agapi continued success in its journey of innovation, growth and expansion.
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