He Created A $130 Mn+ Hygiene Brand That’s Tackling Water Scarcity

The first thing that comes to mind when one mentions a shower or a bath is water, but Clensta is providing those without water a way to feel just as fresh.

When Puneet Gupta came across the plight of defence personnel deployed to help with a climate emergency, he realised that they did their duties without a proper shower for nearly a month. Similarly, those residing in areas with extreme weather and or water shortages are left with no option but to go without baths or showers. Using litres of water for a bath or shower is simply not viable for them. Gupta, an IIM-Calcutta alumnus, was determined to develop the solution.

The company currently offers 14 SKUs and claims to have sold 3.8 Mn products to a user base of 3 Mn. It clocked INR 13.3 Cr in revenue in FY21. According to the startup, it has achieved a CAGR of over 130% the past year and aims to increase its revenue to INR 1,000 Cr in the next five years.

The products are devoid of alcohol, SLS and other harmful ingredients and can be used directly on hair and body, massaged and dried off without an ounce of water. Thus, it has helped preserve water and brought down the physical and environmental costs of shipping water to areas plagued by water scarcity. Also, due to the nature of its products, it serves people unwilling to use bars of soap for a variety of reasons.

Clensta’s flagship products include a waterless body bath and a rinse-free shampoo, zero-water personal care applications designed to safeguard people’s health by killing 99% of germs. Apart from taking away the dust, dirt and body odour, the hygiene products keep the skin hydrated and maintain the body’s pH balance. These are also ideal for patients, especially if they have restricted movements, home healthcare, frequent travellers and adventure lovers ready to rough it.

The company will focus on lean innovation, quality and time-to-market to bring more disruptive products to the home and personal care segment. It is looking to launch its branded digital platform that is claimed to have AI-powered tools for self-assessment of health. Over the next three years, Clensta wants to bring these affordable solutions to the international market as well.