Investment Overview
The seed funding round for DUSQ secured ₹24 Crores (approximately $2.6 million), spearheaded by Fireside Ventures.
Notable contributors included Antler India, Climber Capital, Startup Sherpas, Vaishav Investments, along with angel investors such as CaratLane co-founder Avnish Anand and Cipla Health CEO Shivam Puri.
Brand Evolution and Strategic Focus
Initially introduced as InnerGize in 2023, the startup has undergone a rebranding to signify its shift towards sleep regulation. DUSQ is set to offer innovative stick-on wearables designed to stimulate the vagus nerve, thereby enhancing sleep quality. Complementing this, smart sensors will facilitate precise sleep tracking.
Technological Advancements and Market Entry
Based in the Delhi NCR region, DUSQ is developing proprietary technologies aimed at sleep regulation rather than mere monitoring.
The funding will enable the company to expand its “sleep regulation platform,” enhance its neuroscience and hardware teams, and bolster its in-house “sleep laboratory” as it prepares for an entry into the US market.
Origins and Research Insights
Starting its journey as InnerGize with a focus on mitigating mental health issues through stress management, the company raised ₹6.5 Crores in its pre-seed round in April of the previous year.
InnerGize provided stick-on wearables for immediate stress alleviation via vagus nerve stimulation, a critical pathway linking the brain to various bodily functions, including mood, digestion, and heart rate.
Pursuit of Sleep Regulation
Recognizing the primary role of sleep in general well-being, the startup pivoted towards sleep regulation, ultimately leading to the inception of DUSQ.
Co-founder Shalmali Kadu remarked to Inc42 that the rebranding aimed to address a crucial gap in sleep optimization, as existing solutions predominantly focus on mere sleep tracking without offering effective interventions.
Scientific Exploration and Vision
DUSQ has accumulated millions of psychological data points from its initial venture, which informed the development of a regulation model linking autonomic nervous system signals to fragmented sleep recovery.
“We contend that the next frontier in health technology is not an abundance of data, but rather the restoration of biological function. Our goal is to establish a foundation for human recovery, not merely another tracking device,” DUSQ co-founder Siddhant Bhargava asserted.
Product Features and Future Plans
In alignment with its predecessor, DUSQ will supply adhesive wearables to be placed behind the ear, intended to stimulate the vagus nerve and alleviate stress prior to slumber. Additionally, the product will encompass smart sensors to optimize sleep quality and monitor recovery.
Market Launch Timeline
The startup anticipates launching its innovative products in the US around March, with subsequent availability anticipated in other regions, including India, at a later time.
Industry Landscape
In India, the sleep technology sector has primarily concentrated on mattresses, with burgeoning brands such as Sleep Company and Wakefit securing investments in recent years.
The landscape is evolving to include diverse solutions, ranging from melatonin supplements and ayurvedic remedies to calming aromatherapy and now, wearables.
Wider Wearables Market Growth
The wearables market in India is projected to expand significantly, transitioning from data-centric smartwatches and rings to solution-oriented products.
Noteworthy innovations include Temple, founded by Eternal’s Deepinder Goyal, which aims to enhance cerebral oxygen levels, and NeoSapien, recently awarded $2 million in funding to develop an AI-driven wearable focused on mental health and decision-making enhancement.
Source link: Inc42.com.
