Startup
Theranautilus is reinventing the oral healthcare industry with nanobots
Theranautilus on Tuesday raised $1.2 million in a seed round led by pi Ventures at a Rs 60 crore valuation (about $7.1 million). The round also saw participation from Golden Sparrow Ventures and angel investors, including Abhishek Goyal, Founder and CEO of Tracxn, and Lalit Keshre, CEO of Groww.
Incubated at the Indian Institute of Sciences (IISC), the company was founded in 2020 by Professor Ambarish Ghosh, Dr Debayan Dasgupta, and Dr Peddi Shanmukh Srinivas.
In a conversation with YourStory, Srinivas said that the newly-raised funds will be used to build a high-technology ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) manufacturing facility to scale up and the “other major chunk of the funding will go towards conducting globally first-of-its-kind clinical trials with nanorobots, human trials in 2025.”
He added that a portion of the funding will also be used to file new intellectual property rights.
Born at the crossroads of dentistry and nanotechnology
The beginning of the trio’s collaboration can be traced back to when Srinivas was pursuing his Master’s degree in endodontic microsurgery which is a branch of dentistry that uses advanced technology to treat the root of a tooth when a traditional root canal is not enough.
The practitioners were trained to perform surgeries under a microscope using instruments that were millimetres in size. While Srinivas was training, he realised that there were certain limitations that clouded these procedures. He wished he could use smaller instruments for better precision. But, doing that would limit human dexterity.
During that time, he came across Professor Ghosh’s work on using nanorobots which detailed how these robots can be maneuvered inside a living cell. Srinivas realised that there were multiple use cases of this technology in the field of oral health. This pushed him to join hands with Professor Ghosh and Dasgupta to develop Theranautilus in 2019.
“Initially we started working with root canal. We were focusing on how to ensure that no root canal never fails. Right now about 15 to 20% of root canals fail, you have to visit the dentist again and that was the initial challenge that we took to solve. We solved the problem, we wrote a very nice paper but then as we went ahead we realised that there is an even bigger impactful problem that awaits us which we can solve. So then we sort of stopped doing everything else on oral health and focused entirely on hypersensitivity,” Prof Ghosh said.
Today, Theranautilus’ solutions utilise core nanorobotics technology to disrupt the $6 billion market for toothpaste that targets sensitivity and takes only 10 minutes to solve the problem as opposed to a toothpaste that should be used every day for a long time to take effect.
Solving dentists’ dilemma with nanobots
The company has developed two devices—one that can be used by the clinicians working at a dentist’s office, which would comprise the company’s business-to-business (B2B) segment and an over-the-counter (OTC) device that looks like a toothbrush, which would comprise of its business-to-consumer (B2C) segment. Both these devices will be used in the oral healthcare sector.
Theranautilus has completed animal testing of these products and is all set to begin human clinical trials, results of which are targeted to be announced towards the end of next year and products to be rolled out in the next two years.
On how these devices will help combat hypersensitivity, Prof Ghosh said, “When we say nanorobots, we are talking about these extremely tiny particles. These are like little spheres and at the core of them, there is a magnetic element which allows us to make them move using magnetic fields. We apply little magnets and move them around. The size of these things, if you put about a thousand of them, maybe we are talking about the thickness of a hair.”
The way it works is that when these particles are applied to the tooth, they manage to go inside the tooth through tiny pores and come together to form a cluster. This cluster then triggers a chemical reaction and it is “this magical reaction that we have fine-tuned to make a new tooth basically inside the tooth,” Prof Ghosh added.
According to the founders, the nanorobots become a part of the bone structure inside the patient and one cannot distinguish it from the bone anymore.
The effects of these procedures have shown to be effective for at least nine months to a year, at least. However, Professor Ghosh added that they will be able to understand the duration of the effect only when people start using it and how daily wear and tear can impact the particles.
“We really need to know over a long period of time whether daily wear and tear can actually impact these particles so will it be one year or three years? I cannot say. But, we can say it should be greater than one year for sure.”
Path forward
There is a reason why Theranautilus zeroed in on solving hypersensitivity. Apart from the scope of solving it, it was also a low-hanging fruit and a relatable problem, making it a great launchpad for a technological leap in the healthcare industry.
But Theranautilus’s goal does not end there. The founders want to cure cancer, especially certain types of cancers that have a high mortality rate.
“But let’s first do the simple things, low-hanging fruits, explain to people how this technology works, get some commercial traction, then get into more life-threatening problems, which we are already preparing for,” Professor Ghosh told YourStory.
The company has already garnered interest from global oral healthcare companies that have reached out to them and are awaiting results from its human clinical trials.
“The founding team at Thernautilus is well-positioned to transform groundbreaking science into scalable, impactful solutions. We look forward to working with them and supporting their journey in building products that we believe will redefine healthcare on a global scale. Their treatment for dental hypersensitivity could revolutionise a multibillion-dollar global industry and set new healthcare standards,” said Sohil Bhagat, Principal at pi Ventures in a statement.
Startup
Delhi, Dehradun top the spending trends on Instamart: Swiggy
According to Swiggy‘s fourth edition of its annual ‘How India Swiggy’d’ report, the biggest spenders in 2024 on its quick commerce platform, Instamart, hailed from Delhi and Dehradun. The users spent Rs 20 lakh each on Instamart.
This year, quick commerce grew exponentially, with Indians ordering items ranging from groceries, makeup and toys to vacuum cleaners and sexual wellness products on the 10-minute delivery platform.
The Diwali season also saw orders of over Rs 45 lakh on Instamart on brooms across India to clean houses and Rs 4.6 lakh on poker chips from Delhi. Delhi also ordered Rs 60 crore worth of noodles.
The report added that a person from Ahmedabad spent about Rs 8.3 lakh on gold coins on Dhanteras.
Bengalureans topped in the pooja and party essentials categories, competing with Mumbai, and ordered 1.8 times more wine and shot glasses, especially during the Diwali season, the report found.
A Mumbai-based pet-lover spent more than Rs 15 lakh this year on pet supplies, primarily dog and cat food. Meanwhile, a Chennai user spent Rs 1,25,454 on electronics, electricals and home appliances, including gaming earphones, smartwatches, an induction cooker, a sandwich maker, and a hair straightener. A mango lover spent Rs 35,000 on the fruit in May.
The most ordered items between 4 AM and 7 AM were milk, veggies, and eggs, while ice cream, cold drinks, and chips took over from 10 PM to 4 AM. Between 8-9 PM, the country ordered the most sanitary pads, and November saw the most orders of pain relief medication/spray.
Incognito mode on Instamart was introduced earlier this year. The report noted that most ordered items with the option were between 10-11 pm and included Masala-flavoured chips, Kurkure, and flavoured condoms, the report said.
The quickest delivery was completed in 89 seconds, covering a distance of 180m, the report added, while the cheapest order came in at Rs 3 for a pencil sharpener bought at 8:15 PM in Hyderabad.
The Rakhi season saw 2,85,000 deliveries under ‘order for others,’ and 273 chocolates ordered per minute with one user from Mumbai ordering 31 rakhis in a single order.
Canada saw the most international logins, followed by the US, Kuwait and Singapore ordering milk, dosa batter, and water.
Startup
Startup news and updates: Daily roundup (December 26, 2024)
EatSure launches multi-restaurant group ordering
EatSure, the flagship D2C platform of Rebel Foods, has launched its multi-restaurant group ordering feature.
EatSure’s “Food court on an App” now allows users to create shared carts, and order from multiple restaurants in a single transaction.
“While group ordering features existed before, no one solved the challenge of letting users order from multiple restaurants in one order, making EatSure’s solution truly revolutionary,” the company said.
The feature is live across more than 75 cities across India including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad and other prominent urban cities, it added.
“The new group ordering feature aligns with the same, wherein we let a group of friends/family members to build a joint cart by adding products from their choice of restaurants, such that everything gets delivered to them in One Order. It’s more than just ordering food; it’s about connecting people through a shared culinary journey,” said Sagar Kochhar, Co-founder and CEO, EatSure, Rebel Foods.
Zypp Electric enters into a partnership with e-Sprinto
EV-based last-mile delivery service Zypp Electric has entered into a strategic partnership with e-Sprinto, an electric two-wheeler company.
This partnership comes with an aim to deploy 30,000 e-Sprinto high-speed electric vehicles into Zypp Electric’s fleet over the next three years, the company said.
The collaboration is also set to focus on providing top-tier after-sales service and support to the pilots, ensuring the fleet’s reliability and longevity, it added.
“This collaboration allows us to enhance our fleet with 30,000 advanced e-scooters, directly addressing the urgent need for sustainable logistics solutions in India’s booming ecommerce market. Together, we are not only empowering delivery partners to improve their livelihoods but also leading the charge towards a greener future for urban mobility with good quality EVs suitable for delivery purposes and growth,” said Rashi Agarwal, Co-founder and CBO Zypp Electric.
Evocus appoints Pramod Joshi as head of retail sales and export
Evocus onboarded Pramod Joshi as Head of Retail Sales and Export. Prior to this, Joshi held a leadership role at AB InBev, where he spearheaded strategic sales initiatives and route to market.
“His remarkable experience and track record in the FMCG sector make him the perfect fit to lead our sales retail and export functions. Pramod’s deep expertise in sales strategy, market expansion, and digital transformation will be invaluable as we continue to scale Evocus globally and further establish our leadership in the wellness and beverage industry,” said Akash Vaghera, Founder and Director, Evocus.
“Evocus has a unique positioning in the wellness and beverage space, and I look forward to leading the sales efforts to expand its reach both within India and internationally,” said Joshi.
Having begun his career with Cadbury, over the years, he has held various leadership roles at Narang Group, Soulfull, and Twinings, driving market expansion and building strong partnerships with key retail accounts, the company said.
foundit makes 3 leadership appointments
Jobs and talent platform and Quess company foundit has appointed Pranay Kale as Chief Revenue and Growth Officer, Anupama Bhimrajka as Vice President of Marketing, and Tanesh Arora as Vice President of Candidate Services.
In his new role, Kale is set to lead sales across the APAC and Middle East regions, focusing on growth and operational excellence, the company said. Prior to this, he was the Vice President of key accounts at LeadSquared.
Bhimrajka is set to lead the marketing function at foundit as the Vice President – Marketing, driving growth across the APAC and Middle East regions. She was the Head of Consumer Marketing at Lenovo India Prior to joining foundit.
In his new role Arora will oversee Candidate Services, enhancing user experience and operational excellence, the company said. It added that prior to this appointment, he scaled foundit’s consumer business as General Manager and later drove growth at ISDC Global.
“Their combined experience and expertise will be instrumental in driving our next phase of growth and innovation. Their guidance will be invaluable to the team as we continue to connect top talent with leading organisations,” said V Suresh, Chief Executive Officer at foundit.
(This article will be updated with the latest news throughout the day.)
Startup
5 Things you must stop doing before 2025 for success
As we gear up for 2025, there’s no better moment to pause and acknowledge our journey so far while setting the stage for an even brighter future. For entrepreneurs, the weight of countless responsibilities can often lead to burnout and hindered growth.
But success isn’t solely about cramming more into your day; it’s about shedding the habits that hold you back. Here are 5 actions to eliminate before 2025, ensuring you’re not just surviving, but thriving on your path to success!
5 things you need to stop before 2025
1. Say no to too much hustle: Focus on what matters
The hustle culture is everywhere, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow it blindly. Constantly chasing new opportunities, attending every networking event, or agreeing to every business idea can overwhelm you.
Instead of trying to do everything, focus on what truly makes a difference. Evaluate your goals and activities: which ones bring you closer to success, and which are simply distractions? You can free up time and energy for what matters by saying no to unnecessary hustle.
2. Say no to overworking: Work smarter, not harder
Overworking is frequently misunderstood as dedication, but it can lead to burnout and decreased efficiency. Rather than simply extending your work hours, aim to work smarter. Optimise your tasks, automate repetitive tasks, and delegate whenever possible.
Hiring the right team members or investing in tools that facilitate scaling can significantly enhance your productivity. Your goal should be efficiency, not just effort.
3. Say no to the fear of failure: Embrace risks
Many entrepreneurs fear failure and tend to avoid taking risks. This fear keeps them stuck in their comfort zones and prevents them from seizing growth opportunities. In 2025, stop allowing fear to dictate your actions.
Every successful entrepreneur has encountered setbacks, but what truly matters is how you respond to failure. Instead of shying away from risks, embrace them as valuable learning experiences. If you want to grow your business, you must be willing to step outside your comfort zone and make bold decisions.
4. Say no to procrastinating: Take action today
Procrastination is a significant obstacle for many entrepreneurs. Whether it’s the fear of making the wrong choice or feeling overwhelmed by a long to-do list, delaying tasks can seriously slow your progress. This is why itt’s crucial to stop postponing important decisions and responsibilities.
In 2025, commit to take immediate action. Break large tasks into smaller, manageable steps, and address them one at a time. The key to success lies in consistency, which begins with taking action today rather than waiting until tomorrow.
5. Say no to burnout: Prioritise your mental health
Entrepreneurs are known for their relentless drive and dedication, but this often leads to one major issue: burnout. Overworking yourself and neglecting self-care can be a recipe for failure.
Remember that it’s crucial to take breaks and relax, as these practices are just as important as any business meeting. Remember, a well-rested mind is significantly more productive than one that is on the brink of exhaustion. Prioritising your health and mental well-being is important for achieving success.
Closing thoughts
As we enter 2025, remember that true success is not simply about putting in more effort; it’s about working with clarity and purpose. Stop overworking, fearing failure, and hustling without a plan. Instead, focus on rest, intention, and taking smart actions that align with your long-term goals. Here’s to a productive and successful year ahead!
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