“Managing polycystic ovary syndrome, (PCOS) isn’t about fast fixes or taking one thing to cowl up the signs. It’s a couple of root-cause method, one ought to perceive the deeper points at play and make knowledgeable and knowledge-based choices,” says Vibha Harish, a 30-year-old entrepreneur.
When Vibha Harish was recognized with PCOS in 2016, she discovered herself navigating a healthcare system that supplied solely short-term fixes. Annoyed with superficial options, she turned to plant-based treatments — a call that not solely reworked her well being but in addition laid the inspiration for ‘Cosmix’, a wellness model that’s redefining clear diet in India.
Constructed along with her husband, Soorya Jagadish, the corporate champions long-term well being via gut-friendly, additive-free, plant-based protein dietary supplements. However their dedication doesn’t cease at well being — from sourcing herbs immediately from Indian farmers to packaging their merchandise in glass jars with absolutely biodegradable scoops, Cosmix is proving that wellness and sustainability can go hand in hand.
“I used to be in search of one thing that may assist me recuperate in the long run, not simply an on the spot treatment that would positively have an effect on my well being additional,” she tells The Higher India.
In the present day, Vibha and her husband, Soorya Jagadish, have constructed a Rs six crore enterprise out of plant-based protein dietary supplements, all whereas embracing eco-friendly packaging options
Vibha’s journey with PCOS wasn’t nearly discovering an answer for herself, she additionally needed to assist others who confronted comparable well being challenges. I needed to create one thing that was accessible and pure for anybody combating the hormonal dysfunction,” she says.
The concept behind Cosmix: Lengthy-term options for well being issues
She was decided to construct a line of merchandise that would supply long-term well being advantages whereas addressing the deeper causes of illnesses like PCOS. With the help of her husband, Soorya, who was working within the Indian Navy, they set their sights on making a enterprise that mixed their ardour for pure wellness with the rising demand for clear and plant-based merchandise.
In December 2019, after years of analysis and experimentation, Cosmix was born. “After we first began, protein wasn’t even a part of our product vary, and as we speak, it’s our largest vendor,” says Soorya. “We started with very pure treatments geared toward bettering digestion, sleep, stress, immunity, and extra. Our core thought was to make merchandise utilizing herbs which are already accessible in most kitchens, like jeera (cumin), ginger, and ashwagandha (Indian Ginseng), that are recognized for his or her particular well being advantages.”
Vibha provides, “We didn’t wish to complicate issues. We centered on extracting and formulating these on a regular basis substances in a approach that may ship the best efficiency and finest outcomes for our prospects. The distinctiveness of our merchandise was that we didn’t use any emulsifiers or bulking brokers to make them style higher. We needed to supply uncooked substances that may immediately help folks’s well being considerations. After all, these merchandise weren’t precisely tasty to start with, however folks understood that they had been making a health-conscious selection, and that’s when our enterprise began to achieve momentum.”
Dr Ramakiran, Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medication and Surgical procedure, Physician of Medication (Ayurveda), Submit Graduate Certificates in Kidney Sciences, states, “The plant-based protein dietary supplements include no pointless components, and what units them aside is the rigorously crafted natural mix. This formulation, developed by a group of consultants, is particularly designed to help digestion. Every batch additionally goes via lab testing to make sure security and efficiency. The mixture of high-quality substances and scientific experience makes this protein not simply efficient but in addition a secure choice.”
Dr Nidhi Tripathi, a gynaecologist and fertility specialist in Noida, with over 12 years of expertise, says, “PCOS is a multifactorial dysfunction that impacts our metabolism and might trigger diabetes, weight problems, and different well being issues. Whereas PCOS itself doesn’t immediately trigger irritation, it causes weight problems, and that is what results in irritation within the physique.” She recommends incorporating anti-inflammatory meals like natural blends comparable to ginger, turmeric, and fenugreek to assist handle signs.
She additionally observes that many sufferers are shifting to plant-based protein as a consequence of its advantages in managing ldl cholesterol. “I’ve seen many sufferers switching to plant-based protein and now, they really feel more healthy and strong, and their levels of cholesterol are additionally managed,” she says. She provides, “Whereas extra research are wanted to show this, it’s the experiences of those that assist to grasp that this may be useful.”
Initially, Cosmix was a really small operation, with Vibha main the cost alongside a handful of formulation consultants and some folks in manufacturing and warehousing. Soorya, nonetheless serving within the Indian Navy on the time, remembers, “I’d speak to Vibha every single day, brainstorming and determining how we had been going to develop the corporate, despite the fact that I wasn’t concerned full time but.”
Vibha, who had stop her job at Rolls Royce to deal with the model full-time, shares, “We began small, however our most important aim was to supply trusted merchandise, we didn’t need speedy development. Because the merchandise began resonating with folks, I may really feel the gradual development occurring organically.” Soorya joined the model full-time in 2021.
Sourcing uncooked substances from varied elements of India
“Our plant-based protein isn’t like anything on the market,” Soorya explains. “We centered on making a product that was not solely straightforward to digest but in addition freed from widespread allergens. A variety of plant-based proteins on the market may cause bloating, and we didn’t need that. Our system contains digestive herbs like fennel and ginger to help intestine well being naturally.”
The couple utilises uncooked and ethically sourced herbs comparable to ashwagandha, turmeric, and ginger, every recognized for its anti-inflammatory and health-boosting properties.
In contrast to many merchandise that use synthetic flavouring, Cosmix makes use of actual substances comparable to vanilla beans and cocoa powder. “We’re very explicit concerning the substances we use and the place they arrive from,” says Vibha whereas explaining how the model is totally different from others out there.
“For instance, to make our natural mix, we supply ashwagandha from Gadag in Karnataka. Now we have constructed robust relationships with native farmers and block a selected amount of ashwagandha that they harvest only for us. As soon as it’s harvested, it’s dried and powdered earlier than we extract it to get the precise quantity we want for our formulations.”
Soorya provides, “The method doesn’t cease there. After the extraction, we mix the ashwagandha with different key substances like jeera and fenugreek, making a customized mix primarily based on our particular formulations. Then, each batch of this mix is examined for purity, id, and composition. We work with a third-party FSSAI-approved (Meals Security and Requirements Authority of India-approved), NABL-accredited (Nationwide Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories-accredited) lab to make sure that our merchandise are freed from heavy metals and microbes. Our precedence is at all times to supply the cleanest and simplest answer for our prospects’ well being wants.”
He continues, “We do all of this with out utilizing any chemical compounds or components. Our merchandise are as pure as they are often, and the one sweetener we use is monk fruit, which is a totally pure choice.”
This diligent method extends to their plant-based protein dietary supplements as properly. “The espresso we use in our protein dietary supplements comes from Chikmagalur,” he says. “We work carefully with farmers there to get the best espresso beans. After we obtain the beans, we roast and powder them ourselves to make sure the best high quality. We then mix this with pea protein isolate, rice protein isolate, coconut milk powder, and our proprietary digestive herb mix, which incorporates substances like ginger, fennel, cumin, and fenugreek. Moreover, we use an Arabica espresso mix, Indonesian cacao, Kerala vanilla bean powder, and monk fruit. It’s a really customized course of, designed to supply a novel protein complement.”
Vibha provides, “The identical consideration to element goes into our strawberry-based plant protein. Now we have partnered with farmers in Mahabaleshwar to supply the strawberries, which we rigorously wash, dry, and powder ourselves. Then, we combine the strawberry powder with our protein base – pea protein isolate, rice protein isolate, and coconut milk powder. We additionally add our digestive herb mix, Kerala vanilla bean powder, and monk fruit to verify it’s not solely tasty but in addition helpful for digestion and total well being.”
Biodegradable scoops cut back the plastic drawback
Packaging produces 40 p.c of the world’s plastic waste, and the couple needed to commit not solely to wellness but in addition to being aware of what they had been doing to protect the planet’s life. As they started constructing Cosmix, they realised that sustainability needed to be a core a part of their ethos. In an business the place plastic packaging and waste had been rampant, they needed to problem the established order by providing an environmentally aware different. The answer got here within the type of biodegradable scoops.
“Plastic scoops are one of the crucial wasteful elements of protein packaging,” says Soorya. “We needed to do one thing totally different. From the start, we selected glass jars for our packaging, despite the fact that plastic was cheaper and extra widespread. Regardless of the upper value, we had been dedicated to sustainability and refused to compromise on it.”
“As a substitute of contributing to the rising plastic drawback, we created biodegradable scoops that may break down naturally into the soil, lowering waste and supporting sustainability,” he provides.
Cosmix can also be one of many first firms within the wellness business to embrace this revolutionary packaging answer. The biodegradable scoops grew to become a speaking level for the model, and so they differentiated themselves from different protein complement manufacturers in India.
“We at all times hearken to our prospects,” says Vibha. “Lots of them requested us to not ship scoops with our merchandise, whereas others most well-liked having them. We needed to discover a answer that labored for everybody.” After a lot consideration, they determined to develop scoops comprised of biodegradable materials, which makes use of husks and starch. These scoops are particularly designed for meals merchandise and are comprised of plant-based supplies that naturally break down into nutrient-rich soil.
Soorya provides, “We needed to make sure that our packaging was consistent with our sustainability values, so we hung out sourcing the correct materials. It was accessible in its uncooked type, however it needed to be formed into scoops, which meant collaborating with a neighborhood producer.”
How the corporate reached its total development
Dr Samrakshini G, a Bengaluru-based gynaecologist and fertility specialist, highlights that whereas plant protein alone might lack all important amino acids, combining totally different sources could make it full. She recommends a balanced food regimen with each plant and animal proteins for optimum diet, including that plant protein is excessive in fibre, low in saturated fats, and helps decrease the chance of way of life illnesses.
And this issue performed a significant position in Cosmix’s journey to turning into a Rs 6 crore enterprise. “We didn’t wish to scale too rapidly,” Vibha says. “We centered on understanding our prospects and constructing belief with them. It wasn’t till we noticed that our merchandise had been actually making a distinction that we determined to develop our vary. We’re additionally a totally bootstrapped firm until now and plan to remain like this.”
Jude Gonsalves, a buyer for the previous eight months, shares, “I’ve been utilizing Cosmix for the previous couple of months, and it has been a game-changer. In contrast to different protein powders I’ve tried, there isn’t any bloating or chalky aftertaste, which was once an actual situation with whey proteins. The seasonal flavours are a incredible contact as they’re scrumptious and maintain issues thrilling, so I by no means get uninterested in the identical outdated chocolate or plain flavours.”
The COVID-19 pandemic performed a major position in accelerating Cosmix’s development. As folks started prioritising their well being, wellness merchandise, particularly plant-based options, grew to become extra wanted.
“The pandemic made folks realise how essential well being is, and that’s the place we stepped in,” Soorya displays. “Our merchandise cater to that shift. With plant-based proteins which are light on the intestine, folks discovered another that was each efficient and sustainable.”
Their best-selling merchandise, just like the plant-based protein powders, My Pleased Intestine (a digestion-supporting mix), and Sleep Like a Child (a natural sleep support), rapidly garnered a loyal buyer base.
Neha Sapru, a buyer for the previous 12 months, says, “‘My Pleased Intestine’ has been a real companion for fairly a while now, and it has helped maintain my intestine in nice situation. It successfully controls my bloating, and I don’t have to fret about this drawback whereas travelling. I extremely suggest it to anybody trying to regulate their intestine well being and preserve total well-being.”
“We goal to develop our enterprise globally within the close to future”
“Our My Pleased Intestine complement has turn into considered one of our star merchandise. It encompasses a mix of mulethi, fermented papaya, guava, triphala, jeera (cumin), ginger, and Ashoka bark,” says Soorya.
With a gentle and natural development mannequin, Cosmix has constructed a robust basis, and its income for the monetary 12 months, Monetary Yr 2024-25, reached a formidable Rs 60 crore, with month-to-month earnings of round Rs 6 crore.
In the present day, the couple continues to develop its product vary, which incorporates every little thing from protein powders to intestine well being dietary supplements. They’ve constructed a group of 95 folks throughout varied departments, together with operations, logistics, social media, manufacturing, and extra.
This various group works collectively to make sure the sleek functioning of the enterprise, from sourcing high-quality substances to managing the logistics of delivering merchandise to prospects. “We goal to develop our enterprise globally within the close to future, however solely after absolutely understanding and catering to the distinctive wants of our prospects,” concludes the couple.
Edited by Saumya Singh; All photos courtesy Cosmix