Minimalist
Company History
Minimalist History: Founding, Growth & Key Milestones
Founded 2020 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
When was Minimalist founded?
Minimalist was founded in 2020 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India by Mohit Yadav and Rahul Yadav, making it 6 years old.
- Founded
- 2020
- Founding place
- Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
- Founders
- Mohit Yadav and Rahul Yadav
- Headquarters today
- Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
- Milestones documented
- 6 (2020–2026)
- Current CEO
- Mohit Yadav
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Minimalist Launches from Jaipur |
| 2021 | Raises ₹110 crore ($15 million) Series A led by Peak XV Partners (then Sequoia Capital... |
| 2023 | FY23 Revenue |
| 2024 | FY24 Revenue and Profit |
| 2025 | HUL agrees in January to buy 90.5% at a ~$343 million (₹2,955 crore) valuation; CCI clears the deal in... |
| 2026 | FY26 consolidated revenue rises 36% to ~$80.1 million (₹690.2 crore) with ~$3 million (₹25.9 crore) profit after tax;... |
- Where was Minimalist founded?
- Minimalist was founded in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India in 2020.
- Who founded Minimalist?
- Minimalist was founded by Mohit Yadav and Rahul Yadav.
- When did Minimalist start?
- Minimalist was founded in 2020.
- How old is Minimalist?
- Minimalist is 6 years old as of 2026.
Founding Story
Mohit Yadav, a chartered accountant who had worked at Deloitte and as an AVP at Credit Suisse, and his brother Rahul Yadav, an IIT Roorkee chemical engineer, began as entrepreneurs in 2008 with Scopial Fashion, an online T-shirt store that later became kids' fashion brand Mangostreet. After two ventures that did not work out, they launched Minimalist from Jaipur in October 2020. Mohit has said he raised ~$116,000 (₹1 crore) by mortgaging the family home to fund the start.
Founders
Mohit Yadav
Mohit Yadav is co-founder and CEO of Minimalist. Raised in Jaipur, he left a finance career to start businesses with his brother Rahul. After two earlier ventures, they launched Minimalist in 2020; HUL bought 90.5% of it in 2025 at a ~$343 million (₹2,955 crore) valuation. He is a judge on Shark Tank India Season 5. (Exact birth year remains publicly undisclosed).
Rahul Yadav
Rahul Yadav co-founded Minimalist in 2020 alongside Mohit Yadav. Recognizing that the Indian skincare market was completely saturated with 'ayurvedic' and 'natural' brands making vague, unscientific claims, he launched Minimalist to provide absolute, clinical transparency. By clearly stating the exact percentage of active chemicals (like Niacinamide or Salicylic Acid) on the front of the bottle, he completely revolutionized how Indian millennials buy skincare. (Exact birth year remains publicly undisclosed).
Key Milestones
Minimalist Launches from Jaipur
Mohit and Rahul Yadav launch Minimalist from Jaipur in October.
Source: forbesindia.comRaises ₹110 crore ($15 million) Series A led by Peak XV Partners (then Sequoia Capital...
Raises ₹110 crore ($15 million) Series A led by Peak XV Partners (then Sequoia Capital India) with Unilever Ventures.
Source: inc42.comFY24 Revenue and Profit
FY24 revenue reaches ~$40.3 million (₹347.4 crore) and profit doubles to ~$1.25 million (₹10.8 crore).
Source: entrackr.comHUL agrees in January to buy 90.5% at a ~$343 million (₹2,955 crore) valuation; CCI clears the deal in...
HUL agrees in January to buy 90.5% at a ~$343 million (₹2,955 crore) valuation; CCI clears the deal in March and it closes in April for ~$314 million (₹2,706.44 crore).
Source: inc42.comFY26 consolidated revenue rises 36% to ~$80.1 million (₹690.2 crore) with ~$3 million (₹25.9 crore) profit after tax;...
FY26 consolidated revenue rises 36% to ~$80.1 million (₹690.2 crore) with ~$3 million (₹25.9 crore) profit after tax; Mohit Yadav appears as a Shark Tank India Season 5 judge.
Source: entrackr.comKeep researching Minimalist
Minimalist Company History FAQ
When was Minimalist launched?
Minimalist launched in October 2020 in Jaipur, founded by Mohit and Rahul Yadav.
How fast did Minimalist grow?
Revenue from operations went from ~$12.5 million (₹108 crore) in FY22 to ~$21.3 million (₹184 crore) in FY23, ~$40.3 million (₹347.4 crore) in FY24, about $59.7 million (₹515 crore) in FY25 and ~$80.1 million (₹690.2 crore) in FY26.
When did Minimalist raise venture funding?
In July 2021 it raised a ₹110 crore ($15 million) Series A led by Peak XV Partners with Unilever Ventures.
When did HUL acquire Minimalist?
HUL announced the 90.5% acquisition on 23 January 2025, received CCI approval in March 2025 and completed it in April 2025.
How was Minimalist founded in Jaipur in 2020?
Minimalist (branded as "Be Minimalist") was founded in October 2020 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, by brothers Mohit Yadav and Rahul Yadav under parent entity Uprising Science Pvt Ltd. Disillusioned by Indian cosmetics brands marketing misleading "all-natural" herbal claims while concealing ineffective active dosages, the founders launched Minimalist with bold, transparent labels stating the exact percentages of clinical actives (such as Niacinamide 10%, Salicylic Acid 2%, and Alpha Arbutin 2%).
How did Minimalist achieve rapid viral growth during COVID-19?
Minimalist launched directly to consumers during the 2020 lockdown, gaining instant organic advocacy on Reddit (r/IndianSkincareAddicts) and Instagram. Skincare enthusiasts appreciated its medical-grade dropper bottles, fragrance-free formulations, and transparent pH and active disclosures, quickly positioning it as India's answer to international clinical brands like The Ordinary at accessible domestic price points.
Who funded Minimalist during its growth phases?
In July 2021, Minimalist secured a $15 million Series A funding round led by Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia Capital India) and Unilever Ventures. This investment allowed the brand to build advanced in-house R&D and manufacturing facilities in Jaipur, expand into hair care and suncare, and enter global export markets including the Middle East, UK, and US.
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