Looking to grow, Gallinée receives a series A round of investment from Unilever Ventures representing a minority stake in the brand.
WHO: Launched in 2016, Gallinée was founded by French pharmacist Marie Drago, who has 15 years of experience working with skincare brands. The brand was inspired by her history with autoimmune diseases and her desire to create products for sensitive skin that support the skin’s good bacteria. The innovative skincare range focuses on the skin’s microbiome and claims to be the first personal care brand to focus exclusively on the growing science of the human bacterial ecosystem. The products are based on a patented combination of probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics.
Unilever Ventures is the venture capital and private-equity arm of consumer packaged goods conglomerate Unilever PLC. They invest in young, promising companies, accelerating growth by providing access to Unilever’s global ecosystem, assets, and expertise. Unilever Ventures has poured an estimated €450 million into some 40 start-ups since its establishment in 2002. It concentrates on digital and beauty companies in the US, Europe, and Asia, with investments ranging from 5 percent to controlling shares.
WHY: Drago said she is planning to develop the range, increase online sales in particular, and extend to new markets, with the US being a priority.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS: “We are really looking to unlock growth, and aim to grow tenfold this year,” Marie Drago told WWD. “This investment is a great opportunity. We have plans to bring a revolution in beauty, starting with skin care, and this will help us do it quicker and better. Look out for the new products coming in 2018.”
“The brand has two patents to its name and we are planning to file more in the coming year,” said Drago. “The investment will also allow us to extend clinical validation for our current and future products. Many customers report a beneficial effect on atopic or acne-prone skin, and we want to explore further.”
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