Kapiva launches Rs 50 Cr fund to support Ayurveda innovation

Direct-to-consumer (D2C) Ayurvedic brand Kapiva has launched a Rs 50 crore fund aimed at accelerating research and innovation in Ayurveda across a wide range of segments.

Named the Kapiva Innovation Fund (KIF), the initiative will support projects from academia, research laboratories, and startups working on advancing Ayurvedic science and developing clinically validated solutions to address health challenges, the company said in a statement.

The fund will focus on areas such as novel formulations, standardisation and phytochemistry, application of AI in Ayurveda, pre-clinical and clinical studies, next-generation extraction technologies, bioactive enhancement, and technology-driven wellness models, among others.

“For decades, Ayurveda has been seen as either faith-based or purely traditional wisdom. We believe its future lies in being outcome-led and evidence-backed. This fund is a long-term bet on that future,” said Ameve Sharma, Founder, Kapiva.

Whether a project is at an early research stage or close to commercialisation, KIF said it will provide access to capital, mentorship, and clinical resources. This comprehensive support is designed to help high-potential scientific ideas evolve into viable, real-world solutions.

“By investing up to Rs 50 crore in research, collaborations and new technologies, Kapiva wants to help build an ecosystem where Ayurvedic products are developed and tested like modern medicine, yet remain rooted in India’s knowledge systems,” Sharma said.

The Kapiva Innovation Fund is now open for applications for researchers, institutions, clinicians, and startups. The shortlisted proposals will be evaluated by a panel of Kapiva’s R&D leadership and external domain experts.

Kapiva Chief Innovation Officer R Govindarajan said, "If Ayurveda has to sit at the same table as modern medicine, it must be tested with the same discipline. Through the Kapiva Innovation Fund we want to open that ecosystem to researchers, clinicians and entrepreneurs, share our infrastructure and mentor high-quality projects.”