Draft:Kanika Talwar

Kanika Talwar is an Indian businesswoman, entrepreneur, and co-founder of CosIQ, an intelligent skincare startup company with a focus on using clean ingredients, effective clinical technologies, minimalist formulations and providing real, visible results.

In 2021, Talwar, alongside her husband and co-founder Angad Talwar, appeared on Shark Tank India, where they accepted a deal with Vineeta Singh, the owner of Sugar Cosmetics, and Anupam Mittal, the CEO and founder of Shaadi.com, for Rs 50 Lakhs with an equity stake of 25%.

Education & Early Career

Upon completing her schooling at the Rukmini Devi Public School in Delhi, Talwar went on to attain a Bachelor's Degree in Advertising and Sales Promotion from Delhi University in 2008.

After graduation, Talwar worked worked for a variety of different companies where she garnered valuable experience in management, operations, and IT. She was first exposed to the Skincare Industry when she worked for RI Ayurveda, a global leader in personal care cosmetics and Ayurvedic products. During her time at RI Ayurveda, she was heavily involved in the design and creation of cosmetic products. Realizing the lack of transparency in the Indian cosmetic industry, she came up with the idea of developing an ethical and intelligent skincare brand. As a result, she left RI Ayurveda, and in March 2021, CosIQ was born.

CosIQ and Shark Tank India

Talwar and her husband developed CosIQ with a focus on ethicality, transparency, efficacy, and simplicity. CosIQ offers a variety of products, from cleansers to face serums to sunscreens. Aligning with the company's values, all products are cruelty-free, non-irritant, flavor-free, and unscented. Early on into the company's life, it already set waves amongst the Indian skincare industry, launching India's first sunscreen serum and the first only 2-ingredient Vitamin C Serum. As a result of these innovations and the growing awareness around CosIQ, Anpat and Kanika Talwar were invited onto Shark Tank India merely 4 months after CosIQ's creation.

CosIQ's appearance on Shark Tank India officially aired on December 23, 2021. The sharks were very receptive to and impressed by the company's performance despite its short life, with multiple sharks placing counteroffers to Talwar's initial ask. After substantial deliberation, Talwar and her husband agreed to deal of Rs 50 Lakhs with an equity stake of 25% for Vineeta Singh and Anupam Mittal.

After Shark Tank

CosIQ's episode with Shark Tank further spread awareness of the brand. Shortly after, the Talwars and CosIQ were recognized in various Indian media sources, such as Entrepreneur and The Times of India. Talwar and her husband intend on investing the money from Shark Tank to drive more ethical innovation in the Indian cosmetic market.

The company has seen growing success since its Shark Tank episode, with Talwar even securing a collaboration between CosIQ and popular TV Show Emily in Paris in 2024. The collaboration includes a product line of perfumes, fragrance mists, and moisturizers inspired by characters in the show.