5 days ago
Meet girl who started business at 17, lives in Rs 4250000000 mansion, now challenging Mukesh Ambani's daughter Isha Ambani in...
Ananya Birla (File)
Isha Ambani, the only daughter of Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani, has emerged as a successful businesswoman in her own right, and transformed Reliance Retail into India's largest retailer, which has brought several top global brands to the country. But now, Isha is facing a major challenge in the beauty and personal care (BPC) sector from another billionaire heiress, Ananya Birla, the stylish and multi-talented daughter of business tycoon Kumar Mangalam Birla.
Earlier this year, Ananya Birla, who started her first startup at the age of 17, announced a new venture in the BPC sector, which pitted her against market leaders like Tata, HUL, L'Oreal, and Tira– a beauty platform led by Isha Ambani. In a statement, an Ananya Birla-led company announced it will roll out a wide range of beauty and personal care brands, such as makeup, fragrances and other products in a phased manner in 2025 under the Lovetc brand. Who is Ananya Birla?
Ananya Birla is the daughter of Kumar Mangalam Birla, the Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group conglomerate, who started her first business venture, Svatantra Microfin — a company which promotes financial independence and entrepreneurship among rural women by providing them accessible microfinance services — at the age of 17.
Recently, Ananya launched the beta version of AI platform, ' at IIT Bombay, with plans of a nationwide roll-out in place. Ananya Birla also serves as a director on the board of ABMCPL, the strategic body of the Aditya Birla Group, apart from holding key positions on the boards of other Aditya Birla Group companies, including Hindalco, Grasim, and ABFRL. Entrepreneur, platinum artist
Notably, in addition to her business accolades, Ananya Birla is also a well-known singer-songwriter, and has collaborated with top global artistes such as Sean Kingston, Afrojack, and Mood Melodies. She is the first Indian artist with an English-language single to go platinum in India, with five of her singles having achieved platinum or double platinum status.
In 2020, she became the first Indian to sign with Maverick Management in Los Angeles and released 'Let There Be Love' and 'Everybody's Lost', becoming the first Indian artist to be featured on American national top 40 pop radio show, Sirius XM Hits.
Ananya Birla has received several awards that have recognized her work and entrepreneurial ventures, including T Panache Trendsetters of 2016 award for Young Business Person. In 2018, GQ named her in its list of Most Influential Indians of 2018.
The 30-year-old multi-talented entrepreneur is also known for philanthropic ventures, and runs Ananya Birla Foundation, a charitable organization she launched in 2020, that works to support mental health, equality, education, financial inclusion, climate change and humanitarian relief efforts. Ananya Birla to challenge Isha Ambani
Now, Ananya Birla has ventured into the beauty and personal care market, reportedly under Birla Cosmetics, a company established in July 2023, as per a filing in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
According to reports, Ananya Birla's Lovetc has roped in Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor of the beauty care brand, with Birla stating that her new venture is eyeing to cater to the surging demand for home-grown cosmetic brands in India.
'With greater exposure to global products and knowledge, Indian consumers now demand more from home-grown brands—this venture aims to meet those expectations with authenticity and innovation and bring world class products to the Indian marketplace,' Ananya Birla said, adding that her brand aims to appeal to a global consumer base.
'Our brands are built for the new age—from brand identity to go-to-market strategy, every element is designed to challenge conventions and redefine the consumer experience,' she added.
Notably, Ananya Birla is also the brand ambassador of Loreal's Maybelline line of cosmetics. Ananya Birla net worth
As per media reports, Ananya Birla owns assets worth Rs 1.75 lakh crore, and lives in the Jatia House, the family's lavish three-storey sea-facing mansion in Mumbai's exotic Malabar Hill. The palatial bungalow is spread over 3,000 square meters, and is estimated to be worth Rs 425 crore.
Ananya's father, Kumar Mangalam Birla is one of the wealthiest men in India, boasting a net worth of $21.9 billion, making him the 95th richest individual globally, according to Forbes.
