Sugar Cosmetics CEO Vineeta Singh opens event at LPU

The 5th Edition of the Indian Entrepreneurship Conclave 2025 (IECON’25) kicked off at Lovely Professional University (LPU) with Vineeta Singh, CEO of Sugar Cosmetics and Shark Tank India judge, as the inaugural speaker. Sugar Cosmetics, an Indian brand valued at Rs 4,100 crore, drew significant attention to the event, with Vineeta’s participation resonating with students, entrepreneurs and industry experts alike.

Vineeta shared her inspiring journey, detailing how she co-founded Sugar Cosmetics in 2015 and grew it into a brand with over 40,000 retail stores across India. She highlighted the importance of resilience, drawing from her own experience of facing 100 rejections early in her career. She urged LPU students to focus on finding the right product-market fit and to embrace challenges as part of the entrepreneurial journey.

Her address also served as a powerful call to action for women entrepreneurs. Vineeta noted 45 per cent of entrepreneurs on Shark Tank India are women-led ventures, reflecting a positive shift in India’s entrepreneurial landscape. She praised LPU’s Incubator Programme, which supports early-stage startups with mentorship, funding and resources, and pointed out that over 250 startups have been incubated at the university.

Dr Ashok Kumar Mittal, MP and founder-chancellor of LPU, underscored the importance of practical experience in entrepreneurship, highlighting the university’s hands-on ecosystem. He emphasised the significance of live interactions with top entrepreneurs such as Vineeta, which offer invaluable insights and inspire students to become innovators of tomorrow.

Vineeta also participated in a live Q&A session with students, where she discussed key business strategies, innovation and leadership. The session proved to be an eye-opener for many aspiring entrepreneurs, as she answered questions on investment opportunities and team management.