India’s health-tech and D2C wellness ecosystem is witnessing a new wave of innovation as science-led startups address deeply underserved medical needs. Adding to the latest D2C startup news India, xSTEP, a health-tech startup focused on restoring mobility for people with paralysis and movement disorders, has secured funding on Shark Tank India to accelerate its expansion across the country.
Founded by Dr. Parag Gad, a neuroscientist and UCLA alumnus, xSTEP is building a breakthrough non-invasive neuromodulation solution designed to help patients with Spinal Cord Injuries, Cerebral Palsy, Stroke, and Multiple Sclerosis regain movement—without surgery. The startup’s flagship device works by stimulating neural pathways to activate dormant motor functions, positioning xSTEP at the intersection of deep science, medical technology, and impact-driven D2C healthcare innovation in India.
During its Shark Tank India appearance, xSTEP delivered one of the most compelling live demonstrations of the season. The product showcased a strong responder rate in mobility trials, highlighting its real-world effectiveness and reinforcing confidence in the brand’s clinical foundation. The Sharks closely examined the technology’s validation, scalability, and potential to move beyond hospitals into home-care settings—an increasingly important trend in India’s D2C ecosystem India, especially within healthcare and wellness.
A key differentiator for xSTEP is its regulatory credibility. The device has already received approval from India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and has been granted the FDA Breakthrough Device Designation in the United States. This combination of Indian and global regulatory validation places xSTEP among a rare group of Indian D2C health-tech startups with internationally recognised clinical backing, strengthening its long-term growth story.
Dr. Gad also highlighted the massive unmet need the brand is addressing. India alone has an estimated 2.5 million children living with Cerebral Palsy, many of whom have limited access to advanced mobility treatments. By offering a non-invasive, repeatable, and clinic-to-home compatible solution, xSTEP aims to make neuromodulation therapy more accessible, affordable, and scalable—an approach aligned with emerging D2C business India models in healthcare.
The pitch strongly resonated with the Sharks. Kunal Bahl, Namita Thapar, and Vineeta Singh expressed particular interest in the product’s clinical depth, regulatory clearances, and its potential to scale through a hybrid clinic and home-use distribution strategy. After detailed discussions, xSTEP secured ₹1 crore in funding for 10 percent equity, valuing the startup at ₹10 crore. In addition to equity, the deal includes a royalty component that will continue until the investors recover their capital, reflecting confidence in sustained revenue generation rather than short-term exits.
The fresh capital will be deployed to expand xSTEP’s footprint across hospitals, rehabilitation centres, and home-care networks in India. The startup also plans to invest in awareness, clinician partnerships, and operational scale-up—critical levers for growth in D2C wellness startups and health-tech categories.
As Indian D2C updates increasingly feature science-backed healthcare brands, xSTEP stands out as a powerful example of how deep-tech innovation, regulatory rigour, and a patient-first mindset can converge. With Shark Tank backing, strong clinical validation, and a clear expansion roadmap, xSTEP is now positioned to become a category-defining player in India’s evolving D2C health-tech and mobility care ecosystem.
