Nykaa vs Plum Goodness: Founders, CEOs and History
Nykaa was founded in 2012 by Falguni Nayar and is led by Falguni Nayar. Plum Goodness was founded in 2013 by Shankar Prasad and is led by Shankar Prasad.
Company facts
Nykaa
- Founded
- 2012
- Headquarters
- Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Current CEO
- Falguni Nayar
- Employees
- 4,500
Plum Goodness
- Founded
- 2013
- Headquarters
- Thane, Maharashtra, India
- Current CEO
- Shankar Prasad
Founders
Nykaa
Falguni Nayar
Falguni Nayar (born 1963, Mumbai) founded Nykaa in 2012 after a career in investment banking at Kotak Mahindra. She led the company through its 2021 IPO and remains Executive Chairperson, Managing Director and CEO.
Plum Goodness
Shankar Prasad
Shankar Prasad founded Pureplay Skin Sciences, the company behind Plum, in 2013 and has run it as founder and CEO since.
CEOs and their tenures
Nykaa
- Anchit Nayar
Executive Director & CEO, Nykaa Beauty
Leads Nykaa's largest and most profitable business.
Source - Adwaita Nayar
Co-Founder, Executive Director & CEO, Nykaa Fashion
Built Nykaa's second major business beyond beauty.
Source - Falguni Nayar2012–present
Founder, Executive Chairperson & Chief Executive Officer
Built Nykaa into India's largest specialist beauty retailer, with revenue above $1 billion in FY2026.
Source
Plum Goodness
- Shankar Prasad2013–present
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Founded Pureplay Skin Sciences in 2013 and has been CEO throughout. Raised over $50 million, including the 2022 Series C at a $250 million valuation, and steered the company to a ~$2.9 million (₹25 crore) profit in FY25.
Source
Timeline: Nykaa and Plum Goodness side by side
2012Nykaa
Nykaa Founded by Falguni Nayar in Mumbai: Falguni Nayar incorporates FSN E-Commerce Ventures in Mumbai and launches Nykaa.com with an inventory-led beauty model.
2013Plum Goodness
Pureplay Skin Sciences Incorporated in Thane: Shankar Prasad incorporates Pureplay Skin Sciences in Thane, Maharashtra, to launch Plum as India's first 100% vegan beauty brand.
2014Nykaa
First Physical Retail Store Opens at T3 Airport Delhi: Opens its inaugural brick-and-mortar store at Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, initiating its omnichannel strategy.
2014Plum Goodness
Debut of the Green Tea Skincare Range: Plum introduces its well-known Green Tea Clear Face Wash and Alcohol-Free Toner for oily and acne-prone skin, which becomes an enduring cult bestseller.
2015Nykaa
Launch of Nykaa Cosmetics Private Label: Debuts in-house private label beauty collections (Nykaa Cosmetics and Nykaa Naturals), offering premium, affordable nail enamels and lipsticks tailored for Ind…
2017Plum Goodness
Launch of the Plum Empties Recycling Program: Pioneers an eco-friendly recycling initiative, collecting empty plastic bottles and tubs from consumers in exchange for shopping credits.
2018Nykaa
Launch of Nykaa Fashion & Nykaa Man: Diversifies beyond cosmetics by launching dedicated standalone digital destinations for multi-brand fashion apparel and men's grooming.
2018Plum Goodness
Unilever Ventures Backs Plum: Unilever Ventures invests in Plum, later joining the 2020 Series B and 2022 Series C rounds.
2019Nykaa
Launch of Kay Beauty with Katrina Kaif: Launches Kay Beauty with actor Katrina Kaif as an owned makeup brand.
2020Plum Goodness
Launch of Plum BodyLovin' Gourmand Fragrance Line: Introduces Plum BodyLovin', offering whimsical bath and body collections with dessert-inspired fragrances (Vanilla Vibes, Hawaiian Rumba).
2021Nykaa
Bumper Initial Public Offering on NSE & BSE: Lists on the NSE and BSE after a ~$621 million (₹5,352 crore) IPO; shares open 79% above the issue price and the market value crosses ~$11.6 billion (₹1 la…
2022Nykaa
Launch of Superstore by Nykaa (B2B E-Commerce): Scales Superstore by Nykaa, a B2B app supplying small beauty retailers, chemists and salons.
2022Plum Goodness
A91 Partners Leads $35 Million Series C: Raises $35 million in a Series C led by A91 Partners with Unilever Ventures and Faering Capital, valuing Plum at about $250 million.
2024Nykaa
Nysaa launch in the Gulf: Partners with Dubai-based Apparel Group to launch Nysaa, an omnichannel beauty format for the GCC.
2025Plum Goodness
First Full-Year Profit: FY25 revenue rises 23.3% to ~$46.6 million (₹402 crore) and the company posts a ~$2.9 million (₹25 crore) profit after a ~$9.74 million (₹84 crore) FY24 loss.
2026Nykaa
Revenue crosses $1 billion: FY2026 revenue rises 26% to ~$1.16 billion (₹10,022 crore) on GMV of ~$2.32 billion (₹19,963 crore); net profit roughly doubles.
2026Nykaa
FY2030 vision: $5 billion+ GMV: At its June 18, 2026 investor day Nykaa targets $5 billion+ GMV by FY2030 and 4 to 5 times EBITDA growth.
Acquisitions
Nykaa
- Aminu Wellness (51% stake)2026$320M
- Earth Rhythm (staged stake increases)2022$4.2B
- Dot & Key Wellness (majority stake)2021Undisclosed
- Pipa Bella2021Undisclosed
- 20Dresses2019Undisclosed
Plum Goodness
No verified acquisitions are listed.
Questions about Nykaa vs Plum Goodness
Who is the CEO of Nykaa and Plum Goodness?
Nykaa is led by Falguni Nayar and Plum Goodness is led by Shankar Prasad. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Nykaa founded vs Plum Goodness?
Nykaa was founded in 2012 — 1 year before Plum Goodness, which was founded in 2013. Nykaa's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Plum Goodness.
How many employees does Nykaa have compared to Plum Goodness?
Nykaa employs approximately 4,500 people. A verified employee count for Plum Goodness is not currently available.
Where are Nykaa and Plum Goodness headquartered?
Both Nykaa and Plum Goodness are headquartered in India, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded Nykaa and Plum Goodness?
Nykaa was founded by Falguni Nayar. Plum Goodness was founded by Shankar Prasad.
Which company has a longer operating history — Nykaa or Plum Goodness?
Nykaa has been operating for approximately 14 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Plum Goodness has been in operation for around 13 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Nykaa vs Plum Goodness overview