Kenya-based Uncover Raises $1M to Expand Skincare Enterprise Across Africa • TechCrunch

Africa’s beauty and personal-care market growIt was accelerated due to a younger, fashion-conscious population growth, increased spending power and urbanization. Major brands have been attracted to the market in recent years, including Fenty Beauty by Rihanna as well as LVMH.

Niche local brands are also starting to emerge to offer customized skin care and beauty products. Based in Kenya Reveal skincareShe is one of these women and seeks revolution in the sector through data driven manufacturing that is in line to the needs modern African women.

Uncover has received $1 million in seed funding to expand its operations in Kenya and Nigeria. This is after Uncover launched a new line in skin care products, and plans to launch more in 2019. Its products can be purchased through online platformAnd in the markets, and in partner brand store.

“We use funding to launch more products, enter additional markets, and also amplify our technology and data to effectively produce, reach, and market our audience.” Sneha MehtaTell TechCrunch.

FirstCheck Africa, Samata Capital and Future Africa participated in the round. Patricia Ithau, former CEO of L’Oreal and current CEO at WPP Scangroup was also present. Uncover has now raised $1.225 million since its inception in 2020.

Mehta cofounded Uncover Jade Oyatero(COO). Katherine Lee(Consultant) She was inspired to build a digital-first, data-driven health and wellness brand for African women using her experience and expertise.

Mehta is an economist with over 10 years’ experience in Africa. Oyatero has a background as a nutritionist and FMCG specialist. Lee is an economist who has become a filmmaker.

After Incubation at Antler, Uncover launched. It uses African botanicals, and outsources its manufacturing and design to original Korean designers. They claim that their products are “healthy and safe, affordable, effective, and affordable.”

“Our productions were made in Korea, one of the largest beauty market in the world. We use the best technology, labs, and scientists who know stability testing, safe ingredient and formulations. We are able to deliver because the women in our community have kindly provided information and tried our products, to help us formulate these market specifically,” Mehta said.

The startup also offers Virtual consultingThrough an in-house esthetician she produces Skin TighteningIt recently launched a skin test to provide personalized recommendations and reach more users.

“I experienced the lack of product safety firsthand, the lack of information and the feeling of being stuck. That’s part of the reason we built these tools for people to get personal information and advice including diet advice.”

Mehta claims that the startup’s revenue has increased 20-fold since it was launched. This is due to the growing demand for its products as well as the continued growth of its community.

“We’ve been incredibly empowered since then, and our community has grown from zero to about 60,000 women in Kenya in two years… We’ve built brand awareness, loyalty, and our values ​​of education, knowledge, and empowerment have been cemented in the marketplace,” she said.

Uncover plans to continue building and strengthening the community, starting with Kenyan and Nigeria, the next major beauty markets and personal brands on the continent, after South Africa.