In a major move to scale India’s presence in the global wellness market, Hyderabad-based nutraceutical startup ZeroHarm Sciences has secured ₹65 crore ($7.15 million) in its Series A funding round. The investment was led by Kotak Alternate Asset Managers Limited, via its Kotak Life Sciences Fund I, which contributed ₹40 crore, while Alkemi Growth Capital invested the remaining ₹25 crore. The startup, founded in 2020 by Sachin and Shweta Darbarwar, is set to use the fresh capital to spearhead its international foray into the United States, United Kingdom, and the Middle East.
ZeroHarm Sciences is pioneering what it calls a “Trust over Promise” platform, a science-backed health ecosystem that prioritizes measurable outcomes over traditional marketing. By leveraging proprietary nano-formulation technology, the company converts plant-based nutrients into nano-sized particles. This breakthrough significantly enhances bioavailability, ensuring that supplements are more effective at lower dosages compared to conventional herbal products.
Unlike many D2C brands that rely on third-party manufacturing, ZeroHarm operates a fully integrated model. The company manages everything from sourcing medicinal plants through a network of 10,000+ farmers in the Himalayas and Northeast India to in-house R&D and manufacturing. This vertical control has allowed ZeroHarm to secure multiple patents for nano-formulations in categories like diabetes management, oncology support, and gut health.
Strategic pillars for this growth phase include:
- Outcome-Based Testing: The new platform will allow customers to track health markers through “before-and-after” diagnostic testing to verify product efficacy.
- Expanding Digital Footprint: While currently serving over 300,000 customers via its website, Amazon, and Flipkart, the funds will boost national brand awareness and quick-commerce availability.
- Global Competitiveness: The startup aims to challenge global giants by offering “medicine-grade accountability” in the preventive healthcare space, which is projected to reach $720 billion globally by 2027.
With over 60 SKUs spanning heart health, joint care, and performance nutrition, ZeroHarm is positioning itself at the intersection of Ayurveda and modern biotechnology. “India’s supplement market has a trust deficit,” said Sachin Darbarwar, CEO of ZeroHarm Sciences. “This investment allows us to change that by providing visible proof of health improvements.”
As the company scales its research and manufacturing footprint, it joins an elite group of Indian “clean label” brands like Wellbeing Nutrition and OZiva in reshaping the narrative of Indian-made wellness products for a global audience. The deal, facilitated by Cipher-Plexus as the exclusive financial advisor, marks a pivotal milestone for the Hyderabad-based startup as it prepares to enter high-regulation Western markets.
Key Highlights:
- Series A Funding: ZeroHarm Sciences raised ₹65 crore in a round led by Kotak Life Sciences Fund (₹40 Cr) and Alkemi Growth Capital (₹25 Cr).
- International Expansion: The capital will be used to enter the US, UK, and Middle East markets, targeting regions with high demand for premium plant-based supplements.
- Nano-Tech Innovation: The startup utilizes proprietary nanotechnology to improve the bioavailability of its 60+ plant-based SKUs, ranging from heart health to oncology support.
- Trust-First Platform: ZeroHarm is launching a “Trust over Promise” model that uses diagnostic testing to show customers measurable health results from their supplements.