Hyderabad-based nutraceutical startup ZeroHarm Sciences has just closed a ₹65 crore Series A funding round, marking a significant milestone in the company’s growth trajectory. The round was led by Kotak Alternate Asset Managers Limited through its Kotak Life Sciences Fund I, which contributed ₹40 crore, with Alkemi Growth Capital adding ₹25 crore.
The fresh capital positions ZeroHarm to expand its footprint across India and enter international markets including the United States, United Kingdom, and the Middle East — regions with large health-conscious populations and strong demand for preventive nutrition products.
Plant-Based Supplements Meet Scientific Rigor
ZeroHarm Sciences describes itself as a plant-based nutraceutical company that uses proprietary nano-formulation technology. This approach converts plant-derived nutrients into nano-sized particles, which can enhance bioavailability and controlled release inside the body — addressing a longstanding challenge in herbal supplement absorption.
The company claims full control over its production value chain. It sources medicinal plants via a network of over 10,000 farmers in Northeast India and the Himalayan regions, conducts its extraction processes at a biotech facility in Guwahati, carries out in-house formulation research, and manufactures products in GMP-certified facilities.
This vertical integration supports quality assurance and helps maintain consistency across offerings — a key differentiator in an industry often criticized for variable standards.
“Trust Over Promise” and Consumer Health Outcomes
ZeroHarm plans to allocate part of the ₹65 crore towards building what it calls a “Trust over Promise” platform. The initiative aims to track measurable health outcomes rather than rely on marketing claims alone. Through diagnostic markers and performance data, the company hopes to demonstrate tangible improvements in consumers’ physiological indicators over time.
The emphasis on outcome-driven evidence reflects growing demand among health-savvy consumers for accountability and transparency in nutraceutical efficacy — an area that has historically lacked rigorous verification.
Strategic Use of Capital: Brand, R&D, and Global Expansion
Beyond building measurement systems, ZeroHarm intends to use the funding in several key areas:
- Brand Building: Strengthen national visibility within India’s growing preventive healthcare market.
- International Expansion: Enter the US, UK, and Middle East, appealing to both global health trends and large Indian diaspora communities.
- R&D Scale-Up: Enhance scientific formulation capabilities and accelerate product innovation.
- Manufacturing Capacity: Increase production throughput to support a broader product lineup and export scale.
This mix of investments aims to position the startup not just as another health brand, but as a science-driven leader in preventive wellness supplements.
Diverse Product Portfolio and Market Reach
ZeroHarm’s portfolio already includes over 60 SKUs across health categories such as diabetes management, heart health, immunity, gut health, women’s wellness, joint care, oncology support, and performance nutrition. These products sell through multiple channels, including the company website and major e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, as well as fast-delivery networks.
The startup claims it has served more than 3 lakh customers so far, a notable milestone in building brand traction within a competitive marketplace.
Growth in Nutraceuticals and Preventive Health
ZeroHarm’s funding arrives at a time when the nutraceutical sector in India is expanding rapidly. The space benefits from rising health awareness, increased focus on preventive care, and growing consumer interest in clean label and scientifically supported nutrition products.
Institutional investors have shown increasing interest in health and wellness startups that combine digital engagement with credible science. ZeroHarm’s positioning intersects both trends.
India’s nutraceutical market is projected to grow significantly in the coming years, with estimates suggesting it could reach substantial valuations as domestic consumption expands and more brands innovate.
Leadership and Company Vision
Co-founders Sachin and Shweta Darbarwar launched ZeroHarm in 2020 with a vision to marry traditional plant-based wellness with modern formulation science. The leadership team emphasizes bridging gaps between product claims and measurable health impact, using technology to elevate consumer trust.
Sachin Darbarwar, the company’s CEO, highlighted that the partnership with Kotak Alts and Alkemi Growth Capital brings not only capital but strategic allies who understand the long-term value of science-led nutraceutical innovation.
Expanding overseas also aligns with ZeroHarm’s belief that the future of wellness products lies in demonstrable outcomes, not just catchy branding.
Competitive Landscape and Challenges
The nutraceutical market remains highly competitive. Legacy Ayurvedic brands, established FMCG players, and digital-first wellness startups all vie for consumer attention. Tools like nano-formulation and outcome-tracking platforms could provide meaningful differentiation if they deliver on their scientific claims.
However, the industry also faces questions around regulation, clinical validation, and long-term efficacy for plant-based supplements — issues that ZeroHarm’s strategy seeks to address head-on.
Looking Ahead
With ₹65 crore in new funding and a clear roadmap for expansion, ZeroHarm Sciences stands at an inflection point. The company’s ability to scale production, enhance scientific credibility, and resonate with global consumers will define its next growth chapter.
This development underscores the increasing investor confidence in science-driven wellness brands emerging from India’s startup ecosystem. As ZeroHarm moves into international markets, the larger question will be whether its innovations can set new benchmarks in a field often criticized for vague claims and inconsistent performance.
Also Read – Why Innovation Often Looks Like Imitation