Every day, countless health-conscious Indians struggle with a common dilemma: how to choose supplements without the baggage of additives that often do more harm than good.
Gummies, pills, and strips—these familiar forms promise health benefits but frequently deliver unwanted side effects, leaving you frustrated and bloated. With a growing demand for clean, effective nutrition, the search for a better solution has never been more urgent.
Enter Patch Up, a startup that’s redefining the supplement game by introducing vitamin patches for the first time in India. These innovative transdermal patches bypass the digestive system, delivering essential nutrients directly to the bloodstream—no additives, no fuss. This offers a seamless, on-the-go alternative for those who refuse to compromise on their health.
We did an interview to find out more about this exciting venture and the vision behind it.
What is Patch Up
Patch Up is a pioneering startup that brings vitamin patches to the Indian market for the first time. This innovative approach aims to cater to health-conscious individuals who prioritise clean and convenient nutritional supplements.
You might often find yourself overwhelmed by the plethora of oral supplements laden with additives, which can sometimes lead to unwanted side effects. Patch Up addresses this issue head-on by ensuring that its products contain zero additives.
Patch Up’s transdermal patches deliver essential nutrients directly through the skin, effectively bypassing the digestive system. This method not only promotes enhanced absorption of vital nutrients but also eliminates the unnecessary additives commonly found in pills, gummies, and strips.
What sets Patch Up apart in the growing nutraceuticals market is its commitment to quality and simplicity. Instead of complicating health routines, the patches offer a hassle-free solution for on-the-go lifestyles, allowing you to maintain your wellness without compromise.
This revolutionary approach reflects a significant advancement in the way supplements are consumed and provides a meaningful alternative tailored to modern health needs.
Patch Up Founders
Radhika Rajpal, the visionary founder of Patch Up, leads a team that is passionate about disruptively changing the nutrition landscape in India. Her impressive background as a seasoned entrepreneur, notably as a second-time founder of a successful Fintech company, sets the groundwork for her current venture.
With experience drawn from notable stints at Barclays and Microsoft, Radhika possesses a wealth of expertise that she now channels into the health supplement industry. Her academic achievements from Lady Shri Ram College and INSEAD Business School further solidify her credentials as a leader in this new arena.
The inception of Patch Up stems from Radhika’s personal experiences with conventional supplements. Like many health-conscious individuals, she initially sought wellness through vitamin gummies and pills, only to experience disappointing side effects. Dismayed by findings that many products were laden with artificial ingredients and sugars, she became determined to seek healthier alternatives. Through consultations with doctors and nutritionists, her research led to the discovery of transdermal patches as a viable solution for delivering nutrients effectively.
The challenge of education marked the early days of Patch Up. Radhika realised that consumers were often unaware of the harmful additives present in traditional supplements. She understood the importance of expanding consumer knowledge regarding product ingredients and positioning Patch Up not just as a brand but as an advocate for health awareness. This commitment to transparency and education transformed the startup into a pioneering entity within the nutraceuticals market.
Driven by her passion for health and wellness, Radhika established Patch Up with the goal of creating a cleaner, more effective means of nutrient delivery. By prioritising the elimination of additives and focusing on bioavailability, she is addressing a significant gap in the market. The outcome is a product tailored for modern life—an innovative approach poised to make a profound impact on how individuals prioritise their health while navigating day-to-day challenges.
Interview with Radhika Rajpal, Founder of Patch Up
I had the opportunity to sit down with Radhika Rajpal, the dynamic founder of Patch Up, to delve deeper into her motivations, challenges, and the future of her groundbreaking startup. Our conversation shed light on the unique approach Patch Up is taking to revolutionise how Indians consume nutritional supplements.
Q: Can you please introduce yourself and your role at Patch Up?
A: My name is Radhika Rajpal. I am the Founder of Patch Up.
Q: You’ve had an impressive journey so far. Could you tell us more about Patch Up and its mission?
A: Patch Up brings the concept of vitamin patches to India for the first time. We’re all about making sure that the supplements you consume are the cleanest possible, with zero additives.
Q: Who is your target audience?
A: Our target audience comprises health-conscious Indians who are looking for clean and convenient supplements of superior quality.
Q: What problem does Patch Up primarily aim to solve?
A: Most of the oral supplements we consume are full of additives that can be harmful. We believe Patch Up offers a significant advancement in the Indian supplements market, providing a healthier and more effective alternative to gummies and pills, which are riddled with additives.
Q: How does Patch Up address this problem?
A: At Patch Up, we make sure that the supplements you consume are the cleanest possible, with zero additives. Our transdermal patches deliver essential nutrients directly through the skin, eliminating the need for additives like sugar, flavours, and colours. This offers a healthier and more effective alternative, and our patches can be used on the go, providing a hassle-free supplement intake.
Q: Can you tell us about Patch Up’s founding team?
A: I am the founder of Patch Up. I am a second-time entrepreneur, having previously launched a Fintech company backed by Techstars accelerator. I’ve also had professional stints at Barclays and Microsoft. Academically, I studied at Lady Shri Ram College and INSEAD Business School.
Q: What inspired you to venture into the health supplement industry?
A: My journey towards better health started with a desire to feel better and live healthier. Initially, I turned to vitamin supplements like gummies, strips, and pills. However, instead of feeling energised, I faced challenges like bloating. Upon investigating, I found these supplements contained artificial sugar, colours, and flavours. Additionally, oral supplements have a variable absorption rate. Determined to make a change, I conducted research and consultations, which led to the discovery of transdermal patches. This method requires zero additives and offers maximum bioavailability.
Q: What were the early challenges you faced?
A: The main challenge was educating consumers about the harmful effects of the ingredients in traditional supplements.
Q: How does Patch Up differentiate itself from competitors?
A: Patch Up is pioneering vitamin patches in India, delivering nutrients directly through the skin and eliminating the need for additives. This positions us as a healthier and more effective alternative to traditional supplements.
Q: Has Patch Up received any external funding?
A: No, we have not received external funding.
Q: What are your plans for the future of Patch Up?
A: We plan to expand our product offerings to serve a wider consumer base and cater to more supplement requirements.
Q: Can you share insights into Patch Up’s revenue and customer base?
A: Patch Up was launched just a month ago. We are currently analysing initial performance metrics regarding revenue and customer base.
Q: Do you have any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
A: Prioritise understanding and addressing your customers’ needs and pain points.
Q: Are there any statistics you’d like to share about the industry?
A: The Indian nutraceuticals market size was estimated at USD 26.87 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.5% from 2024 to 2030.
This conversation with Radhika highlights her dedication to innovation and health, reflecting a promising outlook for Patch Up. It’s an exciting development in the nutraceuticals market, one that might just change daily health routines for many in India.
Feedough’s Take on Patch Up
Patch Up’s innovative approach to health supplements, with its transdermal vitamin patches, marks a significant shift in how health-conscious consumers in India can maintain their wellness. This method elegantly sidesteps the drawbacks of traditional supplements like pills and gummies, often laden with unwanted additives. By delivering nutrients directly through the skin, Patch Up ensures a purer and potentially more effective means of supplementation.
Looking ahead, the challenge for Patch Up will be educating the market about the benefits of transdermal patches over conventional options. Still, with a focus on clean, additive-free wellness and the formidable leadership of Radhika Rajpal, Patch Up is well-positioned to disrupt the Indian nutraceutical sector. Expect to see a ripple effect as consumers gradually shift towards cleaner, more efficient ways of nutrient intake. This startup is a promising example of how thoughtful innovation can redefine an industry and offer new solutions to age-old problems.
A startup consultant, digital marketer, traveller, and philomath. Aashish has worked with over 20 startups and successfully helped them ideate, raise money, and succeed. When not working, he can be found hiking, camping, and stargazing.