Innovation

Navyayurveda represents a unique blend of ancient Ayurvedic wisdom and modern sustainable practices. Dr. Joshi began her journey as a lifestyle coach, where she observed the rising demand for safe, natural, and eco-friendly skincare products. Initially creating formulations for her patients, she officially launched Navyayurveda on March 13, 2022. After three years of rigorous development, including obtaining FDA approvals, the company scaled its operations in August 2024, manufacturing products at a licensed factory in Pune.

The innovation lies in the holistic approach to sustainability:

Ingredients: Products are crafted using natural, Ayurvedic ingredients, such as coconut oil and butter, known for their antibacterial and healing properties. These ingredients are locally sourced, supporting community livelihoods and ensuring authenticity.

Packaging: The company uses reusable plastics and plans to transition to glass packaging within five years, reducing environmental waste.

Cruelty-free practices: All products are cruelty-free, aligning with Dr. Joshi’s commitment to animal welfare.

Furthermore, Navyayurveda promotes inclusivity by offering affordable products suitable for all economic strata, ensuring skincare is accessible without compromising on quality. This comprehensive focus on sustainability, consumer health, and affordability sets Navyayurveda apart as an innovator in the personal care industry.

Inspiration

Dr. Neha Joshi’s inspiration stems from her upbringing, professional experiences, and personal values. Growing up in a coconut-rich region, she witnessed the traditional use of coconut oil and butter for skincare and healing. Reflecting on this, she incorporated these natural ingredients into her formulations. She remarks, “Coconut oil and butter are used in every household… I just incorporated that knowledge into my products.”

Her journey as an Ayurvedic doctor further fueled her vision. She saw a gap in the market for safe, natural products and took it upon herself to address it. She says, “Ayurveda is the basic of all sciences. It is sustainable, ancient, and holistic. I wanted to create products that embodied these principles while meeting modern demands.”

The need to offer patients effective skincare solutions sparked her initial idea, and her determination to balance traditional practices with modern sustainability guided her approach. Dr. Joshi also acknowledges her passion for animal welfare, ensuring her products are cruelty-free, further emphasizing her dedication to creating a better world.

Overall impact

The innovation’s short-term impact includes offering sustainable, Ayurvedic products that promote healthier living. Navyayurveda has built a loyal customer base while creating jobs for factory workers and staff. By educating employees and the community about Ayurveda and sustainable living, Dr. Joshi has laid a foundation for wider societal change.

In the long term, the innovation holds the potential to significantly reduce environmental waste, especially as the company transitions to glass packaging. Additionally, the brand’s emphasis on Ayurveda and sustainability could inspire similar ventures in the personal care industry.

Evidence of this impact includes:

• Scaling production with FDA-approved facilities.
• Employing 18 individuals, including factory workers and support staff.
• Collaborating with NGOs like Sahas to support animal welfare and community development.
• Dr. Joshi’s commitment to fostering a sustainable lifestyle has the potential to influence consumer behavior, encouraging more conscious consumption patterns and contributing to a healthier planet.

Business benefit

Navyayurveda’s innovative approach has created tangible benefits for the business, positioning it as a leader in sustainable personal care. The development of eco-friendly, Ayurvedic products has differentiated the brand in a competitive market. With the growing demand for sustainable and natural solutions, Navyayurveda has carved a niche for itself.

The business has achieved the following:

• Securing FDA licenses, enabling bulk production at a leased factory in Pune.
• Generating income for 18 employees, including factory workers and support staff, thus strengthening the local economy.
• Expanding its product line to cater to a broad audience, from middle-class to upper-class consumers, with affordable, high-quality products.
• Dr. Joshi reflects, “After licensing, I could scale production and provide products that are not just effective but also sustainable. This has helped me reach a wider audience and support my employees’ livelihoods.” The innovation has also opened opportunities for further growth, including collaborations and market expansion.

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Social and environmental benefit

Navyayurveda’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its products, benefiting both society and the environment. By offering natural, cruelty-free skincare solutions, the company promotes healthier lifestyles and raises awareness about sustainable practices. Dr. Joshi also shares her Ayurvedic knowledge with the community, encouraging people to adopt lifestyle changes that are both beneficial and eco-friendly.

Environmentally, the business minimizes plastic waste by reusing materials and plans to transition to glass packaging within five years. The use of Ayurvedic ingredients supports biodiversity and reduces reliance on harmful chemicals. Dr. Joshi’s collaboration with the NGO Sahas in Pune further demonstrates her commitment to societal well-being. She supports a one-day meal program for 75-80 stray animals under their care, aligning her business values with broader ethical goals.

She states, “My products are cruelty-free, and I educate people about sustainable living and Ayurveda as part of my mission. This is my way of giving back to society and the environment.”

Interview

Dr Neha Karandikar Joshi, CEO

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