Kenyan skincare startup Uncover has secured $1.4 million in funding to accelerate its expansion plans. This latest round of investment follows $1 million in seed funding raised in 2022 to scale operations and expand into Nigeria, and $100,000 in pre-seed funding in 2021.
Founded in 2021 by Sneha Mehta (CEO), Jade Oyateru (COO), and Catherine Lee, Uncover leverages a data-driven approach to create personalised skincare products, utilising K-Beauty technology and innovation. The company’s CEO attributes its growth to these data-driven products and its digital platform with personalisation integration. She emphasised the brand’s commitment to prioritising “women of colour” who have been marginalised by the beauty industry, noting that Uncover is one of the first brands testing on women in Africa.
“What’s exciting is that we are starting in Africa but seeing global demand and opportunity for our solution,” she added.
Uncover has steadily nurtured a social media following of more than 200,000 women from Kenya, Nigeria, and within the diaspora. The startup also noted that it had recorded tremendous growth in its revenues last year, which it attributed to entry into the Nigerian market and the introduction of some new data products.
In this case, the company is both growing its internet and physical presence as it aims to construct a consumer platform that would encompass products, information, and services for prospective buyers. It also partners with retailers, distributing through its eCommerce platform, and has retail partnerships with pharmaceutical chains like Goodlife and Medplus in Kenya and Nigeria.
COO Jade Oyateru said that the new funding will enable the company to bring out the next level of development, add to its product range, upgrade technology, and appeal to more customers.
Uncover is one of the emerging African beauty firms that is receiving funding and considering mergers and expansion across the continent and globally.
