Neulife, a performance nutrition brand in Mumbai, just got a $1 million seed funding boost. Subhkam Ventures and Singularity Ventures co-led the round, with Sunicon Ventures, Cosma Ventures, and some high-net-worth individuals also participating. This is the first outside investment for Neulife since it started. It shows that investors are confident in the growing D2C wellness and nutrition market in India.
Samit Gupta started Neulife in 2014. It’s known for its research-driven approach, mixing science with products made for consumers’ performance needs. Neulife began as a nutrition retail and formulation company. In 2022, it moved into the direct-to-consumer space in India, becoming a D2C startup. With the new funding, the company plans to develop more products, do more clinical trials, and strengthen its R&D, with an eye toward expanding globally.
Neulife’s success comes from its science-backed innovation. Its products use patented Ketofuel MCT technology, designed for efficient protein absorption. Key launches like Pro Standard Whey in 2023 and Super Isolate in 2024 offer 30% better protein absorption than standard whey and plant-based proteins. The R&D unit has filed five patents, with two approved and three pending, showing its dedication to advanced nutrition.
The funding will enable Neulife to broaden its premium protein offerings and grab more of India’s expanding D2C food and beverage market. The brand wants to have 15% of the premium protein market in India by 2028. This is fueled by rising demand from athletes, fitness fans, and health-conscious consumers. The company also intends to raise an additional $3 million by 2026 to fund new products, D2C growth plans, and entry into international markets, targeting areas with growing health and fitness communities.
Neulife uses an omnichannel D2C strategy, selling through its website and online marketplaces, and using e-commerce, influencer marketing, and direct consumer interaction. This reflects current trends in the Indian D2C world, where data-driven product creation and personalized nutrition are changing consumer behavior.
D2C wellness startups in India are seeing great results and more investor interest. Neulife’s seed funding is part of a trend of VC-backed D2C brands scaling through science, transparency, and tech. It also shows confidence in the D2C model in India, where local brands are becoming strong global competitors in health and fitness.
As Neulife improves its R&D, expands internationally, and introduces new formulations, it’s ready to reshape the performance nutrition segment in India and beyond. The brand’s focus on scientific validation, premium quality, and sustainable growth makes it one of the fastest-growing D2C wellness startups driving consumer innovation and global brand-building in India.
