Latest news with #BoldCare
Entrepreneur
16-06-2025
- Health
- Entrepreneur
Inside Bold Care's Bold Bet: How One Startup Sparked India's Sexual Wellness Revolution
"People were desperately looking for solutions, but the market was dominated by unorganised players selling hope, not help," shares Rajat Jadhav, co-founder, Bold Care Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. In 2015, while working on his e-pharmacy startup, Rajat Jadhav stumbled upon a curious pattern. Nearly 40 per cent of orders and queries were for sexual health products despite it being a category no one openly talked about. The products themselves were often sketchy, ranging from Japani oils to vague homoeopathic remedies with little to no clinical backing. "There was so much demand, but no real trust," Jadhav recalls. "People were desperately looking for solutions, but the market was dominated by unorganised players selling hope, not help." That single observation would eventually lead to the birth of Bold Care, a brand that not only wanted to sell products but change the narrative around men's health and intimacy in India. Cracking the silence around male wellness Sexual wellness has long been India's unspoken frontier. It sits at the intersection of health, masculinity, shame, and misinformation. From awkward chemist visits to late-night TV ads promoting dubious cures, the space was shrouded in embarrassment. "When we started talking about conditions like erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation, it wasn't easy," Jadhav admits. "We were breaking years of stigma, and no one wanted to be the first to talk about it." Launched in July 2020, Bold Care was born during the pandemic, a time when e-commerce boomed, and private wellness quietly became a national priority. But Jadhav and his team weren't just another D2C startup chasing clicks. They wanted to rebuild the ecosystem. "We don't just launch a pill or cream because the market is hot," Jadhav says. "Each product is designed with multiple benefits and regular use in mind, because that's what builds long-term confidence." So Bold Care made a bold move: embrace the awkward. Instead of tiptoeing, the brand leaned into the discomfort, adding humour, relatability, and science to the conversation. Whether through social media posts, clever packaging, or customer engagement, the aim was always the same: normalise it. Going mainstream with a star cofounder In 2023, Bold Care announced actor and entrepreneur Ranveer Singh as a cofounder. Known for his flamboyance and unapologetic energy, Singh brought both visibility and credibility to the category. "Ranveer didn't just lend his face, he lent his brain," says Jadhav. "He's deeply involved in branding, storytelling, even product insights. His lived experience as an artist and entrepreneur is invaluable." The collaboration helped position Bold Care not just as a product, but as a cultural movement, destigmatising male health with humour, empathy, and pride. Blooming bloom While Bold Care gained momentum among male consumers, there was growing demand from women either directly or as caregivers, partners, and buyers. "We started getting countless inquiries from women, asking: What about us?" Jadhav shares. The answer came in the form of Bloom by Bold Care, a dedicated vertical focused on female sexual health, intimate hygiene, and menopause support. Led by Parinita Hendre and a team of women entrepreneurs, Bloom is disrupting a space just as underserved. "There's no one-size-fits-all in women's health," Jadhav explains. "From hormonal shifts to age-based nutrition, the needs evolve. Bloom was built to evolve with them." In just five months, Bloom has already served over 1 lakh customers, and Jadhav predicts it will reach Bold Care's current scale in half the time. Despite being available on Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit, Zepto, and Instamart, Bold Care's own website remains the strongest growth engine. "Direct-to-consumer gives us insights no platform can. We know what our users want, what language they use, what worries them," Jadhav says. That user insight has shaped everything—from product innovation to customer support scripts. Bold Care also invests heavily in its expert advisory team, helping users make informed, comfortable choices without shame. The company has also embraced quick commerce, capitalising on impulse buys and the privacy of at-home delivery. "You no longer need to walk into a store or wait three days. With Blinkit and Zepto, your wellness is 10 minutes away," he quips. Fact Sheet
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Quick commerce fuels niche D2C boom in smaller cities
Rapid expansion of quick commerce into smaller cities and towns is fuelling demand for niche direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands in categories ranging from intimacy products and sexual wellness to curly hair care and fitness accessories, where convenience and discreet delivery are key drivers. While metros have traditionally been the mainstay for these new-age brands, tier II and III cities now account for a rapidly growing share of their sales amid greater online access and faster delivery, multiple brand founders, quick commerce platforms and analysts told ET. MyMuse , which sells intimacy products, gets almost a third of its revenue from non-metro regions while men's sexual health and wellness brand Bold Care derives over 40% of its total revenue from tier II and III cities, company executives said. 'When we unpack the data, especially around product adoption in tier-III, it's evident we're tapping into a long-ignored need – one that's only beginning to surface,' MyMuse cofounder Anushka Gupta told ET. 'Young Indians – regardless of geography – are seeking out ways to explore their pleasure without shame,' she added. Aggressive expansion of platforms such as Zepto, Blinkit, and Swiggy Instamart has created a robust infrastructure for these specialised D2C brands to reach a broader, more diverse customer base, bypassing traditional distribution challenges. Live Events 'Quick commerce has largely unlocked new tier II and III markets for us, increasing discovery and ease of access for users in these markets. It has really levelled the playing field for consumers,' Gupta said. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories MyMuse is present in over 800 cities. According to Satish Meena, adviser at ecommerce consultancy Datum Intelligence, a set of customers who previously shopped on ecommerce platforms are shifting to quick commerce for certain categories of products for instant gratification. Many consumers who haven't used ecommerce before are also trying quick commerce because of its ease and accessibility, he added. Underscoring the potential in tier-II cities and beyond, Zepto chief business officer Devendra Meel told ET, 'When we launched in Nashik, our stores hit 1,000 orders per day within six weeks, which is faster than in metro cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi-NCR, where it took three to four months to reach this milestone.' BigBasket said it is recording about 50,000 orders per day from tier-II cities, with tier-III cities contributing around 7,000 daily orders. Bold Care has seen more than 100% year-on-year growth in smaller cities, its cofounder and chief executive Rajat Jadhav said. 'Close to 60% of our future investments, including marketing, education, and distribution, are focused on strengthening our presence in tier II and III cities,' he said, adding that 'the next 100 million health-first consumers will come from' these cities. In the beauty and personal care segment, there is a rising demand for specialised shampoos, conditioners, leave-in products, and serums for consumers with curly hair, according to Anshita Mehrotra, founder of haircare brand Fix My Curls. 'Although a majority of our sales still come from tier I cities, tier II regions are growing fast. Currently, our consumer base is split 70-30 between tier I and tier II cities but business from tier II cities will increase significantly this year,' she said. Healthy snacking is another segment no longer confined to major cities. According to Abhishek Agarwal, cofounder of premium dry fruits and nuts brand Farmley, consumers across markets are now willing to spend a premium on healthier alternatives, reflecting a broader shift in eating habits. The brand recently raised $40 million in a funding round led by investment firm L Catterton. Greater exposure to social media and digital platforms has made reliable health information more accessible to consumers in smaller cities, executives said. Consistency challenges 'You can expect these categories to keep growing, but I think once they reach around Rs 1,000 crore on quick commerce, growth will likely stabilise, as the purchase frequency isn't high (in smaller towns),' Datum's Meena said. A key challenge quick commerce firms and brands face in smaller towns, according to him, is inventory management 'as you are not going to see consistent demand across all dark stores.' 'So how do you forecast demand and plan inventory accordingly?' Meena said. Penetrating the broader market is also challenging, largely due to price sensitivity, especially in categories like curly hair care where consumers are often expected to purchase multiple products to complete a routine. Brands are trying to bridge this gap through targeted marketing and awareness efforts, particularly among Gen Z consumers, who are increasingly drawn to skincare and haircare products with proven clinical efficacy. As brands turn their focus to smaller cities, quick commerce platforms are also ramping up their presence in these regions. According to an HSBC report, the industry is expected to have 5,000-5,500 dark stores by the end of FY26. Zepto has crossed the 1,000-store mark while Instamart has reached 1,021 dark stores after adding 316 in the March quarter. Market leader Blinkit, with 1,301 dark stores as of March, is on track to scale up to 2,000 stores by December. Flipkart Minutes, the quick commerce unit of Walmart-owned ecommerce major Flipkart, has over 400 dark stores in 19 cities, including Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Guwahati, Kanpur, Patna, and Thane. It aims to double that number to 800 stores by the end of the year. 'We have been witnessing increasing traction from customers across metros, tier 1, and tier II regions,' said Kanchan Mishra, vice president at Flipkart Minutes. 'Demand for high-value categories such as smartphones, impulse electronics have surged on Minutes, with a growth of 2x between January and May 2025.'
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Ranveer Singh-backed Bold Care enters pleasure product category with Bloom massagers; targets 2.5x revenue growth in FY26
New Delhi: Sexual health and wellness brand Bold Care , backed by Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh , has expanded into the pleasure category, launching a range of personal massagers for men and women under its brand Bloom by Bold Care. In the last fiscal, the company has reached Rs 100 crore revenue mark and is targeting monthly sales of over 25,000 units from this category in the next 12 months, as part of its broader strategy to diversify and scale revenue streams, said Rajat Jadhav , Cofounder & CEO of Bold Care, in an interview with ETRetail. According to him, the company expects its overall business to grow over 150 per cent (2.5x growth) in FY26, with the Bloom product line scaling faster than Bold Care's core portfolio. 'It took us 18 months to cross Rs 1 crore in revenue when we launched Bold Care. Bloom achieved that milestone in just five months,' Jadhav said. The company is witnessing strong traction across sales channels. Quick commerce currently contributes around 30 per cent of total sales, while 15-20 per cent comes from online marketplaces like Amazon and Flipkart. The remaining 50–55 per cent of revenue is generated through the company's D2C platform. Jadhav said Bold Care is investing in new product development across both Bold Care and Bloom categories to drive future growth. Without disclosing investment figures, he noted that expanding the portfolio remains a key strategic focus. Launched as a men's sexual wellness brand in 2020, Bold Care has now evolved into a broader digital-first health platform, offering solutions across hair care, performance health, and intimate wellness. With the rapid growth of Bloom, the company is banking on rising consumer comfort with intimate products and the ease of access enabled by Q-commerce and e-commerce platforms. 'The growth curve for Bloom is significantly steeper than what we saw during our initial Bold Care journey. We are confident of surpassing our earlier benchmarks by a wide margin,' Jadhav added.
News18
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Samay Raina Makes First Appearance After Hinting At India's Got Latent Return, Has THIS To Say
Last Updated: Samay Raina's candid moment with paparazzi has gone viral across social media. Samay Raina was recently embroiled in controversy after Ranveer Allahbadia's comment on his show, India's Got Latent, sparked massive backlash. Samay was not only in legal trouble but also had to shut down his YouTube show. As the legal row is slowly dying down, the comedian hinted that the show might return after some time. Samay has now made his first public appearance after teasing the show's return, and he looked happy and calm. Samay Raina was seen in a blue tee with checkered pants, flaunting a comfy look for the night. As paparazzi surrounded the comedian for a photo, he asked them to join him instead of taking his pictures. The comedian then posed for the shutterbugs and said, 'Main na awkward ho jaata hoon thoda, yaar." Have a look here: While Samay Raina is still navigating ongoing legal proceedings, he is slowly returning to the comedy stage and the public eye. In a recent promotional video for Bold Care — a sexual wellness brand co-owned by actor Ranveer Singh — he was asked by podcaster Raj Shamani if India's Got Latent would ever return. With his trademark wit, Samay replied, 'Woh toh ab Samay hee bata payega. Main nahi, time. Time is the best healer," playing on the double meaning of his name and the Hindi word for 'time." He added with a smile, 'Good things take time." Whether it was a subtle tease or a serious hint, fans are already talking about the possibility of a comeback. He also recently announced a new international tour that will take him across Europe, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Taking to Instagram recently, Samay shared the tour dates—starting in Cologne on June 5 and ending in Sydney on July 20. In one of his Instagram stories, Samay hinted that his new set will touch on the India's Got Latent controversy, suggesting he's ready to turn the tough chapter into comedy. 'The most testing time of my life makes for the best comedy. See you on the tour," he wrote. The announcement sparked huge excitement, so much so that his ticketing website briefly crashed due to the surge in traffic. First Published:
Mint
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
‘There's a limit to being bold': Samay Raina tells Raj Shamani, reveals lessons learnt from India's Got Latent row
Samay Raina is back and how! For the first time after the massive controversy around India's Got Latent pulled the standup comedian down, he has appeared in a podcast. Going with his image, it is impossible to say if what he is saying in the podcast is real or is 'manufactured' for the sake of comedy. In a promotional video for Bold Care, co-owned by actor Ranveer Singh, Samay Raina speaks to Raj Shamani, one of India's most popular YouTubers at the moment. Raj Shamani asks Samay Raina what he has learned from the lows he experienced in recent times. 'Life has its highs and lows. I realise that we should always be bold regardless of whatever. But, there is a limit to being bold. And, to ensure that you don't cross the limit…' says Samay Raina while promoting a sexual wellness product from Bold Care. 'Once some things get released, there is no point of return,' Samay Raina says in an intended pun. 'But, what have you learnt from this?' Raj Shamani asks. 'Many times, some unwanted things remain in life. Later, when you look back at them, you regret not cutting them out at the time. But, by then, it's already too late. So, better to remove such things early on,' Samay says. And, Samay Raina fans start assuming that Samay Raina is regretting not editing out Ranveel Allahbadia's controversial statement on India's Got Latent. Just then, Samay Raina introduces another Bold Care product to shave off 'unwanted things'. As Shamani asks Samay when his show will return, the comedian confirmed it would, but didn't give a timeline. 'Woh toh ab Samay hi bata payega. Matlab main nahi, time. You have to give it time. Good things take time. Time is the best healer. Samay sabse bada hai. Samay sabse balwan hai. Aur Samay se bada koi nahi. Samay sabse shaktishali hai, bhai. 'Aur apna samay badhaane ke liye (And, to increase the duration)…' Samay Raina promotes another product by Bold Care. 'Your time is going well. You should extend your duration further,' Samay tells Raj Shamani. Shamani laughs and requests Raina not to keep this part of the video in the final draft. 'Should I edit this out? That's exactly what I'm incapable of doing,' Samay Raina quips as both laugh louder.
