Pulse by QIDS, Startup Spotlight — Wellbe
In our latest Startup Spotlight, we dive into the dynamic world of ‘WellBe,’ a health and wellbeing startup, transforming corporate wellness through innovative technology. Founded by CEO Dr. Siddharth and CTO Navnit Rai, WellBe stands at the forefront of this sector. Dr. Siddharth, the driving force behind WellBe, gives an in-depth perspective on how their AI-driven platform and Ayurvedic methodologies are transforming workplace health. This interview provides a concise, focused insight into WellBe’s evolution, showcasing their novel strategies for addressing modern lifestyle health issues, creating personalized wellness plans, and their forward-looking vision.
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Edward: Can you briefly introduce your startup and the services you offer?
Dr. Siddharth: “WellBe” is a pioneering health and wellbeing startup, leveraging technology to enhance corporate wellness. We provide insightful data to HR departments, helping them develop effective wellbeing strategies tailored to their organization. This is encapsulated in our unique offering, the “WellBe Score.”
Modern workplaces are often impacted by chronic lifestyle ailments like diabetes, high cholesterol, stress, sleep disorders, and hypertension. These issues contribute to an unhealthy work environment, increased absenteeism, talent retention challenges, and a negative impact on the organization’s profitability.
Our platform utilizes AI to perform an organizational wellbeing assessment, resulting in the “WellBe Score.” Based on this score, we craft a wellbeing plan that includes both group and personalized interventions. These interventions are rooted in Ayurveda and holistic therapies, including guided yoga, meditation, dietary planning, and mental wellbeing techniques like Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy.
At the heart of our services is the Ayurvedic assessment of Vata-Pitta-Kapha, ensuring each wellness plan is uniquely tailored to individual employees. This approach is particularly effective in preventing and reversing lifestyle diseases.
Through our enterprise dashboard and analytics, we provide measurable insights into the long-term benefits of our wellness solutions. This helps organizations enhance productivity, reduce absenteeism and employee turnover, and lower healthcare costs. Ultimately, our services positively affect both the organization’s bottom line and its public image.
Note 1: Ayurveda is a traditional Indian system of medicine that emphasizes balance in the body through diet, herbal treatment, and yogic breathing. It’s based on the idea of maintaining harmony between mind, body, and environment.
Note 2: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha are the three fundamental energies or “doshas” in Ayurvedic medicine. They represent unique combinations of physical, mental, and emotional characteristics in an individual.
Edward: What inspired the creation of your startup?
Dr. Siddharth: Our team’s extensive experience in the health tech sector was a key motivator. We’ve engaged in numerous foundational experiments, leading to our current, potentially transformative model for global workforce wellness. Personally, the journey took a toll on our own wellbeing and mental health. The resilience and mental strategies developed during this period not only helped us overcome challenges but also kept our vision alive. These experiences have shaped our innovative wellbeing models, combining practical health strategies with a sense of spiritual well-being.
Edward: Could you summarize your startup’s mission in one sentence?
Dr. Siddharth: Our mission is to be the foremost provider of employee wellness solutions, empowering both individuals and organizations to achieve their highest potential.
Edward: How does your service stand out in the crowded wellness sector?
Dr. Siddharth: Our product differentiates itself in several key ways:
Corporate-Focused Wellness: We offer a proprietary, data-driven tool that enhances the HR department’s ability to improve employee engagement, retention, and productivity.
Dosha-Based Individual Assessment: Utilizing the Ayurvedic principles of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, WellBe provides personalized assessments for tailored wellbeing solutions.
WellBe Framework: Our approach integrates Ayurveda, data analytics, and personalized interventions, focusing on optimal corporate performance.
Customized Wellness Plans: We create wellness plans based on specific KPI outcomes, ensuring a unique and targeted approach.
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy: Our innovative use of VR technology addresses mental health conditions in a controlled, gamified environment.
True Wellness Focus: Unlike competitors who dilute their wellness offerings with insurance products, our core proposition is solely dedicated to true wellness.
Edward: To date, how many users or clients have benefited from your solution?
Dr. Siddharth: Over 65,000 users have benefited from our services, through engagements with various prominent enterprise clients and a significant collaboration with the Indian Government’s flagship program, eSanjeevani AYUSHMAN BHARAT.
Edward: What are the major trends or challenges you foresee in your sector for 2024?
Dr. Siddharth: The major trends in 2024 are:
Mental Health Focus: A growing emphasis on mental health within corporate wellness, with resources like counselling and stress management becoming priorities for enhancing employee well-being and productivity.
Personalization: The development of more personalized wellness programs, utilizing data analytics and wearable technology to create plans tailored to individual health needs.
Remote Work Adaptation: Adapting wellness programs to suit remote and hybrid working environments, focusing on accessibility and flexibility for employees in diverse locations.
Technology Integration: The continued use of AI, apps, and telehealth in wellness initiatives for health tracking and virtual services.
Holistic Wellness: A shift towards a more holistic approach in wellness programs, including emotional, financial, and social aspects.
DEI in Wellness: An increased focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, ensuring wellness programs are culturally sensitive and accessible to all employees.
And the challenges we foresee this year will be:
Employee Engagement: Encouraging consistent participation in wellness programs, tailoring them to meet diverse needs and interests.
ROI Measurement: Developing clear metrics to assess the return on investment and effectiveness of wellness initiatives in improving health outcomes and productivity.
Data Privacy: Addressing concerns around the privacy and security of employee health data collected through various technological solutions.
Edward: Are there specific types of businesses or stakeholders you are looking to partner with in the near future?
Dr. Siddharth: We are keen forging partnerships with companies who are experts in the enterprise market for employee wellness services and products.
Edward: How do you think partnerships or collaborations will benefit your startup?
Dr. Siddharth: Our strategy has always been centred around partnering for go-to-market activities. We aim to collaborate with key players in the ecosystem, such as HR management software companies and affiliates, as long as their products don’t compete with ours. This approach allows us to reach our target customers more effectively and enhances our market presence.
Edward: What are your primary goals or milestones for this year?
Dr. Siddharth: Our key objective for the upcoming year is to expand our market presence internationally. Additionally, we aim to provide our corporate wellness services to more employees through various corporate subscriptions.
Edward: How can interested individuals get more information or discuss partnership opportunities?
Dr. Siddharth: For further information or to explore partnership possibilities, interested parties can contact us via WhatsApp at +91 9035033712. Alternatively, email inquiries can be directed to dr.ksiddharth@wellbe.fit or rai.navnit@wellbe.fit.
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