Brands
Simply Nam secures fresh funding to scale up beauty play for Indian women
MUMBAI: Simply Nam, the homegrown beauty brand led by celebrity makeup artist Namrata Soni and entrepreneur Hanna Stromgren Khan, has secured a strategic investment from the Bhaane Group to power its next phase of growth. The fundraise will enable the company to double its monthly recurring revenue (MRR), expand its product portfolio and grow its omnichannel presence across India.
Founded in 2020, Simply Nam has doubled its customer base in the past year and clocked a 40 per cent returning customer rate, with its current MRR averaging Rs 2 crore. The brand is currently live across platforms including Nykaa, Amazon, Myntra, Tira Beauty, Zepto and Blinkit.
What sets Simply Nam apart is its founder-led formulation approach: no off-the-shelf white-labelling, no shortcuts. Namrata Soni brings over 25 years of hands-on experience to the lab, combining her deep understanding of Indian skin tones, textures and climates with skincare-forward, vegan and cruelty-free innovation.
“Simply Nam is more than just a makeup brand — it’s a reflection of my life’s work and a deep understanding of the beauty needs of Indian women”, said Simply Nam co-founder Soni. “Having worked with Sonam for over 17 years, it’s incredibly meaningful to now build this brand alongside her and Anand… Their trust at such a pivotal stage fills me with renewed confidence”.
The Bhaane Group’s investment signals confidence in Simply Nam’s vision of clean, inclusive and professional-grade beauty. The partnership also reflects a commitment to scaling quality-first Indian beauty brands. “With Bhaane Group, we’ve found that rare alignment. This strategic investment is a launchpad for what comes next”, added CEO & co-founder Khan.
The brand’s hero products, like the Ultimate Kajal (with 100,000 units sold in just three months), the Sweet Kisses Lip Balm, and the Magic Tinted Lip Oil, have already found favour with Indian consumers and influencers alike. Simply Nam has also bagged accolades at the Elle Beauty Awards 2023 and the Grazia Indie Beauty Superstars 2024, with nominations at the upcoming Vogue Beauty & Wellness Awards 2025.
Bhaane Group CEO Anand S Ahuja remarked, “Simply Nam represents the next chapter in clean, inclusive beauty for India, and we’re incredibly proud to support their journey”.
The funding will be used to:
● Launch new, innovative product lines
● Expand its educational content
● Strengthen physical and digital reach
● Reinforce its made-in-India ethos across all touchpoints
As India’s first celebrity makeup artist-owned beauty brand, Simply Nam now sets its sights on building a globally resonant identity that remains proudly Indian at its core.
Brands
Kingfisher signs three-year IPL partnership
Packaged water brand signs on as ‘good times partner’ for 2026–28 cycle
MUMBAI: Kingfisher Premium Packaged Drinking Water is betting big on cricket’s biggest stage, sealing a three-year partnership with the Board of Control for Cricket in India to sharpen fan engagement at the TATA Indian Premier League.
The brand, owned by United Breweries, will serve as the official “good times partner” for the men’s IPL from 2026 to 2028, extending a relationship that began with the Women’s Premier League. The move signals a broader push to embed itself deeper into live sport, with a focus on immersive, consumer-led experiences rather than conventional sponsorship visibility.
At the heart of the tie-up is a suite of fan-first activations spanning broadcast, stadiums and digital channels. These include the “Kingfisher Bird Cam”, offering a branded spider-cam perspective during live matches, and the “Good Times Zone”, an in-stadium entertainment hub during play-offs aimed at amplifying match-day buzz. The brand will also back IPL fan parks, elevate public screening experiences and run digital contests tied to key moments through the season.
Vikram Bahl, chief marketing officer, United Breweries, said cricket in India “is more than a sport, it is a shared cultural moment”, adding that the IPL brings that energy alive at scale. “For Kingfisher Premium Packaged Drinking Water, being present at the heart of these moments, in partnership with the BCCI, is a natural extension of what we stand for. Through this association, we aim to enrich how fans experience the game… making every match more immersive, social and memorable,” Bahl said.
Devajit Saikia, honorary secretary, BCCI, said the IPL “has always been at the forefront of redefining sports entertainment and fan engagement”. He added that the collaboration would fuse cricket fandom with “innovative fan experiences that extend beyond the stadium”, helping create memorable moments for audiences nationwide.
For United Breweries, part of the HEINEKEN group, the play is clear: move from passive branding to active participation in the fan journey—on screens, in stands and across social spaces. With millions tuning in and turning up each season, the IPL remains the country’s most potent marketing theatre. The question now is whether “good times” can translate into lasting brand recall in a market where visibility is easy, but engagement is hard-won.
