Science-led skin health startup Neothera has raised ₹9 crore in a pre-seed funding round led by Blume Ventures to accelerate product innovation, strengthen its technology platform, and expand access to evidence-based skin health solutions across India.
The funding round also attracted investments from Barbershop Fund, the investment syndicate led by Bombay Shaving Company Founder Shantanu Deshpande, along with Consumer Collective, Veltis Capital, and several prominent angel investors. These include Arjun Purkayastha, Senior Vice President and Managing Director at Reckitt, Malika Sadani, Founder of The Moms Co., Mukul Rastogi, Founder of Classplus, and Diksha Pandey, Founder of Samosa Party.
Founded by Radhika Agarwal, a former consumer-tech investor at Blume Ventures and a Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2023 honouree, Neothera focuses on addressing the underlying causes of chronic skin conditions instead of simply treating visible symptoms.
By combining diagnostics, behavioural science, nutrition, technology, expert guidance, and clinically validated formulations, the startup develops comprehensive acne care programmes designed to deliver long-term skin health outcomes.
Neothera officially launched after nearly 20 months of research, formulation development, product testing, and beta trials conducted alongside dermatologists, nutrition experts, and formulation specialists. Furthermore, the company developed its initial product portfolio entirely in-house and refined its treatment protocols through pilot programmes with early users before entering the market.
The company will use the newly raised capital to further enhance its technology capabilities, while also expanding its product portfolio, increasing investments in research and development, strengthening its clinical and scientific teams, and accelerating customer acquisition across India.
Commenting on the funding, Radhika Agarwal, Founder of Neothera, said, “We’re building Neothera on the belief that skin conditions cannot be solved through products alone. By combining diagnostics, behavioural interventions, technology, and scientifically formulated products, we’re creating a more effective approach to skin health. We’re grateful to have the backing of Blume Ventures and our investors, whose conviction in this vision will help us accelerate product innovation, strengthen our technology capabilities, and make skin health solutions more accessible.”
Speaking about the investment, Sajith Pai, Partner at Blume Ventures, said, “While the beauty market has seen significant growth, the skin health and derma-care segment remains underserved despite representing one of the largest opportunities in consumer healthcare. Neothera’s vision to move beyond topical products and build a comprehensive care model for chronic skin conditions stood out. Radhika combines deep consumer insight with operational excellence and an unwavering focus on solving this problem.”
With fresh funding from Blume Ventures and leading consumer investors, Neothera aims to reshape India’s skin health market through science-backed, technology-enabled care. By integrating diagnostics, behavioural interventions, clinical expertise, and innovative formulations, the startup is positioning itself to build a comprehensive skin health platform that delivers sustainable outcomes for people managing chronic skin conditions.
