Science-led skin health startup Neothera has raised ₹9 crore in a pre-seed funding round led by Blume Ventures, marking a significant step in its mission to build a comprehensive care model for chronic skin conditions.
The round also saw participation from Barbershop Fund, the investment syndicate led by Bombay Shaving Company Founder Shantanu Deshpande, along with Consumer Collective and Veltis Capital. Angel investors including Arjun Purkayastha, Malika Sadani, Mukul Rastogi and Diksha Pandey also participated.
Founded by Radhika Agarwal, a former consumer-tech investor at Blume Ventures and a Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2023 honouree, Neothera is building a differentiated approach to skin health. Rather than focusing only on short-term or topical solutions, the startup aims to address the underlying causes of chronic skin conditions.
Neothera combines diagnostics, behavioural science, nutrition, technology, expert consultation and clinically validated formulations to create acne care programmes designed for long-term outcomes. The model reflects a broader shift in India’s beauty and personal care market, where science-led and personalised solutions are emerging as an important opportunity within the growing skin health and derma-care segment.
The startup spent nearly 20 months on research, product formulation, testing and beta trials before its official launch. This process involved collaboration with dermatologists, nutrition experts and formulators. Its initial product portfolio has been developed entirely in-house, while treatment protocols were refined through pilot programmes involving early users.
With the fresh capital, Neothera plans to strengthen its technology platform, expand its product portfolio and invest further in research and development. The company will also build its clinical and scientific teams while accelerating customer acquisition across India.
The funding highlights growing investor interest in consumer healthcare models that go beyond conventional beauty products. Neothera’s approach brings multiple elements of skin health into a single ecosystem, combining scientific products with diagnostics, behavioural interventions, technology and expert-led care.
As India’s skin health market evolves, the startup is positioning itself within an underserved segment focused on chronic conditions and long-term outcomes. Backed by experienced consumer investors and operators, Neothera is now preparing to scale its technology and scientific capabilities while making comprehensive skin health solutions more accessible across India.
