Funding Alert

Dental and Skincare Startup makeO Raises $16M in Bridge Round for Geographic Expansion

• ByStartupStory     |    January 10, 2024

Mumbai-based clinical makeover platform makeO has successfully secured $16 million in a bridge round, spearheaded by 360 ONE Asset and the investment office of renowned public markets investor Ashish Kacholia. This funding injection comes as a testament to the confidence investors place in makeO, the parent company of the clear aligner and dental care brand toothsi, as well as the skincare and hair care brand, skinnsi.

Returning investors, including Eight Roads Ventures, Paramark Ventures from South Korea, and the family office of Medlife founders Prashant Singh and Tushar Kumar, also participated in this round. The funds raised will be instrumental in supporting the startup’s geographical expansion initiatives and scaling its experience centers. makeO operates as a digital-first brand, delivering services both at home and through its offline centers.

Dr. Arpi Mehta, Co-founder, and CEO at makeO, emphasized the company’s mission in a statement, saying, “Our mission is to ensure that clinical-grade makeovers are more accessible, affordable and convenient to every Indian. The capital will enable us to strengthen our online and offline footprint, offering customers the convenience of accessing our services at their doorstep or through our physical experience centres.”

makeO’s offline experience centers provide customers with a space to explore the brand’s solutions and consult with in-house orthodontists and dermatologists, offering comprehensive clinical support from start to finish.

Founded in 2018 by Dr. Arpi Mehta, Dr. Pravin Shetty, Dr. Manjul Jain, and Dr. Anirudha Kale, makeO made its entry into the Indian market with its 3D-printed clear aligner toothsi. The startup currently employs over 600 dental professionals, including 100-plus orthodontists and in-house dentists. Beyond dental services, makeO offers a range of skincare and haircare solutions, including microneedling treatments for hair fall, electric toothbrushes, teeth whitening UV kits, acne treatment kits, face washes, skin toners, moisturizers, and exfoliating peels.

With operations spanning across 17 Indian cities and two cities in the UAE, makeO has positioned itself as a prominent player in the healthcare and wellness industry. The company’s commitment to innovation and global expansion was underscored by its acquisition of Dubai-based Smileneo in February 2023.

makeO’s latest funding round follows its successful Series C round in May 2022, where it raised $40 million at a valuation of $270 million, according to market and data research platform Tracxn. The current bridge round further propels makeO towards achieving its vision of making high-quality makeovers accessible to a broader audience.

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