Benefits of FDI-certified skincare

Rinzing Choden Bhutia and Varsha Shrestha, visionary entrepreneurs from Gangtok, have made history as Sikkim’s first FDI-certified businesswomen, leading the organic skincare brand Agapi.

In a groundbreaking achievement for India’s North-Eastern region, Agapi, an indigenous-forward vegan skincare brand utilizing locally grown Himalayan ingredients, achieved a $1 million valuation through equity infusion from prominent investors.

Focused on environmental consciousness and women’s empowerment, Bhutia and Shrestha’s mission with Agapi is to redefine skincare while preserving Sikkim’s unique heritage. The duo expressed excitement about realizing their vision with the recent funding milestone.

Agapi has expanded its footprint, establishing stores across West Bengal and India’s northeastern states. Contracts with renowned investors like Arun Seed, Ahaana Ventures, and Alsisar Impact underscore the brand’s growing influence.

Anuj Sharma, founder of Alsisar Impact, praised Agapi’s journey as an inspiring example of sustainable entrepreneurship from the Himalayas, driven by locals for global markets.

The brand, named after the Greek word for love, originated in 2019 when Bhutia returned to Sikkim from Delhi, seeking a healthier environment for her child. Drawing on ancestral knowledge, Agapi blends sustainability with science, incorporating locally passed-down indigenous ingredients.

Bhutia and Shrestha ensured Agapi was a women-run business, providing vocational training and employment opportunities for Sikkim’s women. Through free-of-cost training for hundreds of tribal women and rehabilitation center inmates, Agapi aims to empower women with sustainable skills.

The co-founders’ dedication to a clean environment and sustainable practices is evident in their commitment to cultivating a future that aligns with Sikkim’s rich heritage. Agapi’s success story reflects the potency of local entrepreneurship in making a global impact.

Rinzing Choden Bhutia and Varsha Shrestha’s Agapi Sikkim stands as a testament to the fusion of tradition and innovation, symbolizing the potential for eco-conscious businesses led by women to thrive on a global stage.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The shethepeople