Mumbai-based Neulife – a protein-forward, R&D-focused performance nutrition brand – has raised $1 Million in its maiden seed funding round co-led by Subhkam Ventures and Singularity Ventures. The round also witnessed participation from Sunicon Ventures, Cosma Ventures, and select HNIs. Prior to this, Neulife had remained bootstrapped.
The funds raised through the recently-concluded seed round will be directed by the company towards multiple strategic areas – product innovation, enhancing research and clinical trials, expansion of Neulife’s protein products’ portfolio, and enabling the brand’s global growth and expansion.
Neulife was founded in 2014 by fitness industry veteran Samit Gupta – who is widely acknowledged as the pioneer of sports nutrition in India with top-tier international brands. Samit is now steering Neulife’s mission to deliver scientifically validated, metabolically superior proteins with the company’s D2C brand launch in 2022.
Samit Gupta, Founder & CEO, Neulife said, “As a carb-free ketogenic athlete myself for over a decade now, I have always struggled with my protein supplements – since they were fundamentally designed wrong, and contradict the way Protein actually occurs in nature – always with Fat source for optimal protein synthesis and energy efficiency. With Neulife, we’ve solved that problem, and are creating proteins that go beyond absorption – delivering true metabolic advantages and higher protein efficiency with our patented Ketofuel® MCT technology. In a market that has, for long, been underserved by generic, copycat supplements, we’re on a mission to plug the gap with metabolically superior Proteins that provide higher protein efficiency and absorption gram for gram against any other Protein, anywhere. The latest seed funding round serves as a key milestone in accelerating Neulife’s journey in the Premium Proteins space, validating our potential and mission, and fuelling our growth.”
Rishabh Kathotia, Partner, Subhkam Ventures commented, “We believe that Neulife is addressing critical gaps in India’s performance nutrition market with its differentiated, science-first approach. Samit and his team bring unmatched experience and R&D depth to this category, which really impressed us and prompted us to invest, helping them build a legacy in this booming industry.”
Neulife’s proteins and other fitness and nutrition products are powered by its patented Ketofuel® technology – enabling 30%+ higher efficiency and absorption as compared to conventional whey and plant-based Proteins. Beyond gut health optimization, Neulife’s Protein products come with ketone-boosting and protein-sparing effects, resulting in significantly higher protein efficiency via higher muscle protein synthesis.
Yash Kela, Partner, Singularity Ventures added, “Neulife’s patented technology and focus on protein efficiency position them uniquely to become a category leader in India and beyond. By blending science and innovation with their domain expertise and advanced research capabilities, Neulife is poised to become India’s most trusted performance nutrition brand; and we’re now happy to be a part of their growth story as their early backer-investor.”
Notably, Neulife was among the first nutrition brands in India to establish a dedicated in-house R&D unit, operating it for six years and filing 5 patents (2 granted and 3 pending as of today) before launching its branded products’ line in 2022. The company’s flagship launches include PRO STANDARD WHEY in 2023 – a Leucine-fortified Whey Isolate customized for professional athletes and certified by LGC U.K., and SUPER ISOLATE in 2024 – a next-generation whey/vegan isolate powered by Ketofuel® MCTs.
Bolstered by the recent fundraise, Neulife is aiming to grow and expand rapidly in the near future, while capturing ~15% market share in the premiumized proteins market by 2028. Besides, they are planning to raise an additional $3 million by the next year, i.e. 2026-end.
