Brands
Iis launches digital learning series ‘iis sikhaega’ for athletes
MUMBAI: Bellary is bringing world-class coaching to your screen. The inspire institute of sport (iis), India’s premier high-performance training hub, has launched a new digital content series titled iis sikhaega. The platform is designed to provide aspiring athletes across the country with practical, expert-led lessons at their fingertips.
The series will feature short, easy-to-follow videos released thrice a month on Instagram and Youtube. Content will range from the basics of fitness and nutrition to advanced training, recovery, and rehabilitation techniques, all explained by iis coaches, trainers and young athletes themselves.
“Our mission has always been to nurture the next generation of Indian athletes,” said inspire institute of sport, president, Manisha Malhotra. “Through iis sikhaega, we want to extend our coaching and technical know-how beyond our campus and make it accessible to youngsters everywhere, especially those outside tier 1 cities.”
With a strong focus on athletes from tier 2 and tier 3 regions, the initiative aims to close the gap between raw talent and professional opportunity. By breaking down complex concepts into simple, engaging lessons, iis hopes to make high-performance knowledge available to every aspiring sportsperson.
Brands
Nykaa eyes majority stake in Deepika Padukone’s 82°E brand
Deal could help scale premium label as Nykaa sharpens its beauty play
MUMBAI: Nykaa is in advanced discussions to acquire a majority stake in 82°E, the premium skincare label founded by Deepika Padukone, according to media reports.
The proposed deal signals Nykaa’s intent to deepen its House of Nykaa portfolio while giving 82°E the scale it has struggled to achieve independently. Padukone is expected to retain a minority stake if the transaction goes through.
For Nykaa, the play is both strategic and timely. With a customer base of over 42 million, the company is betting on its strong distribution, logistics, and repeat purchase ecosystem to revive the brand’s momentum. The two sides already share a working relationship, with Padukone serving as Nykaa’s global brand ambassador since September 2025.
Launched in late 2022, 82°E entered the market with a premium positioning but has faced headwinds. The brand reported revenue of Rs 14.7 crore in FY25, down 30 per cent year on year, alongside losses of Rs 12.26 crore. Industry observers have pointed to steep pricing, a somewhat diffused brand identity, and intense competition from digital-first labels as key challenges.
The potential acquisition also reflects a broader shift in India’s beauty and lifestyle space, where celebrity-led brands are increasingly partnering with larger corporates to unlock scale. Alia Bhatt’s Ed-a-Mamma, for instance, sold a majority stake to Reliance Retail, while Katrina Kaif’s Kay Beauty has emerged as a standout success within Nykaa’s portfolio, clocking Rs 132.4 crore in FY25 revenue.
Nykaa itself has been on a strong growth trajectory. Its parent, FSN E-Commerce Ventures, reported a 156 per cent jump in net profit to Rs 68 crore in the December 2025 quarter, with revenue reaching Rs 2,873 crore.
Nykaa has been steadily building its portfolio through acquisitions such as Dot & Key, Earth Rhythm and Nudge Wellness, signalling a clear push to own and scale homegrown brands.
If the 82°E deal materialises, it could mark a fresh chapter for the label, blending celebrity appeal with corporate muscle. For Nykaa, it is another calculated step in staying ahead in an increasingly crowded beauty aisle.
