How Care Dale Became India’s Fastest-Growing Water Wellness Brand: From IIT Founders to Rs 1.5 Crore Funding Success

Bengaluru, January 2026: In a country where nearly 70% of households receive hard water, millions silently struggle with hair fall, skin irritation, and poor appliance longevity — all due to mineral-heavy water. Turning this invisible problem into an opportunity, Care Dale, a Bengaluru-based water wellness startup, is redefining how India approaches personal care through its science-backed, sustainable filtration technology.

Founded by IIT Kharagpur graduates, Duhita Wani and Roshni Kar, the startup has rapidly become India’s fastest-growing hard water solution brand, recently raising ₹1.5 crore in pre-seed funding from AJVC (A Junior VC), led by investor Aviral Bhatnagar.

The funding will help Care Dale strengthen its R&D, expand distribution, and accelerate its go-to-market strategy to reach more Indian homes.

The Origin Story: From Hair Fall to Hard Water Innovation

The journey began in 2023, when Duhita and Roshni — both engineers from IIT Kharagpur — relocated to Bengaluru for work. Within weeks, they began facing severe hair fall, dry scalp, and skin flare-ups despite maintaining the same personal care routine.

After multiple trials with shampoos and skincare products, they traced the real culprit — hard water. The minerals and chlorine in municipal water were damaging their scalp and skin barrier.

“We realized it wasn’t about switching products — it was about changing the water itself,” recalls Roshni Kar, Co-founder, Care Dale.

This realization led to the birth of Care Dale in 2024, built on a mission to make clean, skin-friendly water accessible to every Indian home.

Engineering Meets Purpose: The Birth of Care Dale Technology

Leveraging their backgrounds in mechanical and chemical engineering, the duo began experimenting with filtration media, water chemistry, and flow optimization. After months of R&D and prototyping, they developed CareTec™ Advanced Filtration Technology, a patented multi-media system that removes hardness minerals (calcium, magnesium), chlorine, and sediments — all without electricity or complicated plumbing.

The result was the Care Dale Tap & Shower Filter — a compact, easy-to-install solution that converts municipal water into gentle, skin-safe, and hair-safe water.

The filters are designed to last 3–6 months, require zero maintenance, and are made from NSF-certified, eco-friendly materials that reduce plastic usage by over 80%.

The Water-First Beauty Philosophy

Unlike most personal care brands that focus on topical products, Care Dale’s philosophy is water-first.

“Healthy skin and hair start with clean water. You can’t solve water-induced problems with chemicals. You have to fix the source,” explains Duhita Wani, Co-founder, Care Dale.

This philosophy challenges conventional beauty routines that rely on multiple chemical-based products. Instead, Care Dale focuses on tackling the root cause — water quality — to help users restore their natural glow, scalp health, and hair strength.

Fast Growth and Real Impact

Since its official launch, Care Dale has experienced phenomenal growth.

• ₹5 crore annual recurring revenue (ARR) achieved within five months of launch.

• Reached 6,000+ homes across India, spanning metros and Tier-2 cities.

• Over 80% of users report visible improvements in hair fall reduction, smoother skin, and less scalp irritation.

• Filters also protect bathroom fixtures and washing machines by reducing scale build-up, extending appliance life.

The brand has seen organic adoption driven by word of mouth, social media awareness, and influencer testimonials highlighting real results.

Funding Milestone: Backed by AJVC’s Vision for Everyday Innovation

In late 2025, Care Dale secured ₹1.5 crore in pre-seed funding led by AJVC, a SEBI-registered fund founded by Aviral Bhatnagar. The fund is known for identifying and supporting early-stage Indian innovators in consumer tech, AI, and sustainability.

“Care Dale is solving a genuine, large-scale problem that affects nearly every Indian household. Their blend of engineering innovation and consumer insight made them an instant fit for us,” said Aviral Bhatnagar, Founder, AJVC.

Other AJVC portfolio startups include HandyPanda, Multibagg AI, Nuyug, Mithila Foods, Jaagruk Bharat, TruFides AI, and Gaadi Mech, among others.

The funding will be deployed to:

• Expand R&D for improved filtration materials and lifespan.

• Strengthen e-commerce and quick-commerce presence across India.

• Build a nationwide retail distribution network.

• Launch new product lines across bathroom and kitchen water filtration categories.

Sustainability and Accessibility at the Core

Beyond innovation, sustainability drives every aspect of Care Dale’s design and manufacturing process.

• Products operate on zero electricity.

• Packaging uses biodegradable and recycled materials.

• Filters are easy to recycle and replace.

Care Dale’s mission aligns with India’s growing eco-conscious consumer base, which values both performance and sustainability.

The brand is also supported by Krishna Educational Foundation’s incubation program, enabling access to mentors and industry partnerships for scaling across urban and suburban markets.

Vision 2026: Building India’s Water Wellness Revolution

Looking ahead, Care Dale aims to become India’s leading non-drinking water purification brand — redefining how households think about water and wellness.

With hard water affecting over 900 million Indians, the company sees massive potential in combining hardware innovation, data-driven water testing, and direct-to-consumer delivery to make water purification accessible and affordable.

“Our goal is simple — to make clean, soft water a right, not a privilege,” says Roshni Kar.

Conclusion

Care Dale’s rise from a personal problem to a nationwide water wellness movement is a shining example of purpose-driven innovation. By blending IIT-engineered science, consumer empathy, and sustainability, the founders have built more than a product — they’ve built a movement toward healthier skin, stronger hair, and a cleaner planet.

As Care Dale scales with strong investor backing and growing demand, it stands as one of India’s most promising women-led consumer deep-tech startups — transforming the way India experiences water, one drop at a time.