Formial Labs secures Rs 2.88 crore in pre-seed funding led by Zeropearl VC

Formial Labs, a Bengaluru-based, doctor-led personalised prescription skincare startup, has raised ₹2.88 crore in a pre-seed funding round led by Zeropearl VC, with participation from angel investors including Aarti Gill, Founder of OZiva and Giga Capital; Arvind Radhakrishnan, Director of Partnerships at Social Alpha; Dr Sushil Selvarajan; Dr Ashok Ray Chaudhury; Dr Shekhar Neema; and Dr Dipti Thakur.

The company will use the fresh capital to expand its clinical team and consultation capacity, strengthen its technology for diagnosis, personalisation and follow-up, broaden its formulation portfolio across skin and hair care, and grow distribution through its own platform, dermatologist clinics and pharmacy partners.

At Formial Labs, skincare is not selected off the shelf; it is formulated from the ground up for each individual in the company’s own lab. Founded by Dr Jeet Patel, a physician trained in skin cancer, Formial Labs combines bespoke formulation with a digital-first, clinician-led care model to deliver personalised dermatological care. Unlike conventional skincare brands built around standardised products, the company develops custom-made formulations for each customer’s specific skin concerns, from acne and pigmentation to signs of ageing. The personalisation extends beyond the formulation itself, with digital consultations and ongoing clinical reviews enabling treatment plans to be refined as individual needs evolve. By bringing together in-house formulation, clinical expertise and continuous digital care, Formial Labs offers a distinctive approach to making personalised dermatology more accessible.

The startup has distributed more than 5,000 formulations across more than 87 SKUs and reports 40% month-on-month growth, with repeat customers contributing 40% of its business. It has also undertaken two peer-reviewed clinical studies, including a randomised controlled trial involving one of its formulations, and its clinical approach is supported by proprietary base vehicle technology and quality assurance frameworks. Formial also holds LegitScript certifications for pharmacy and telehealth. LegitScript is the standard platforms such as Google and Meta use to verify that healthcare businesses operate legally and safely.

Dr Jeet Patel, Founder, Formial Labs, said, "Skin concerns such as acne, pigmentation, scarring and melasma often require sustained treatment rather than one-size-fits-all solutions. Yet access to personalised dermatological care remains a challenge for many consumers. We founded Formial to bridge this gap by combining clinical diagnosis, scientifically developed formulations and continuous follow-up in an accessible digital model. This investment will help us strengthen our clinical and technology capabilities and bring personalised prescription skincare to more people across India."

Bipin Shah, Founder & Managing Partner, Zeropearl VC, said, "Indian consumers are becoming increasingly outcome-oriented and conscious of what goes into their skincare. However, finding the right treatment for acne, pigmentation, and wrinkles remains a challenge. Formial is addressing this gap by combining clinical expertise, personalized prescription formulations, and ongoing care in an accessible, AI-first approach.

What impressed us about the founder, Dr. Jeet, and his incredible team of pharmacists and dermatologists is their science-led approach, focus on quality, and the 4x repeat rate they have achieved in under two years. We believe Formial has the potential to build an AI-first, trusted business in India's growing, result-oriented skincare market, and we are excited to support them on this journey."

As Formial Labs moves into its next phase, the company aims to play a role in shaping how prescription skincare is experienced by consumers, bringing greater consistency and continuity to the treatment journey. Its long-term vision is to build a care model where personalised dermatological treatment becomes a more integrated part of everyday skin and hair health management.