These founders built India's first longevity startup ‘Decode Age’ that focuses on both tests & supplements to slow down ageing

In 2021, while much of the country was still adjusting to life during COVID, three friends in Surat were spending long hours inside a garage talking about health, loss, and how people age. 

That small setup later turned into Decode Age, a Bengaluru-based startup that today focuses on both diagnostic tests and supplements to slow down ageing.

Decode Age is not a typical wellness brand. Instead of trends and bold claims, the founders chose to work on ageing through biology, data, and lab-based research. 

Meet the Founders of Decode Age 

Decode Age was founded by Darshit Patel, Parth Amin, and Rakesh Somani, all from Surat. Each founder brought a different skill, but their thinking around long-term health was the same.

Darshit Patel, the CSO and co-founder, studied biotech chemistry and bioinformatics and earlier worked as a researcher and lecturer. A personal loss in his family pushed him to focus on ageing and health. At Decode Age, he leads research and product science.

Parth Amin, the CEO and co-founder, studied computer applications with a focus on network engineering. He took charge of marketing and customer growth. Starting from the garage, he built the brand’s online presence step by step. 

Rakesh Somani, the COO and CFO, looks after operations and finance. A triathlete, he brought routine and discipline into the business. The founders often say their strength comes from shared goals and different skills. Darshit says, “Without co-founders, you’re nothing.”

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About Decode Age 

Decode Age works on ageing by studying how the body changes over time. Instead of general advice, the company focuses on the nine known markers of ageing, including inflammation and metabolism.

One of its main products is Decode Biome, a gut microbiome test priced at ₹6,500 and above. The test studies bacteria, fungi, and viruses in the gut and provides reports across more than 30 health markers. These reports help users understand their body better and take clear next steps.

Along with tests, Decode Age sells supplements such as NMN, Fisetin, and AKG. These products focus on energy levels, inflammation, metabolism, and brain health. Prices range between ₹2,000 and ₹10,000.

The company runs FDA- and GMP-approved labs and operates a next-generation sequencing lab in Bengaluru. It has also opened its first offline store so customers can better understand the products. In April 2024, Decode Age partnered with the IISc Longevity India Initiative to support large-scale ageing research.

Decode Age Revenue and Growth So Far

Decode Age has seen steady growth over the last two years, with supplements bringing in most of its income. In FY23, the company recorded revenue of ₹3.07 crore. This rose sharply in FY24, with annual revenue reaching ₹11.9 crore as of March 31, 2024. 

The growth was driven by higher demand for supplements and better brand reach after its Shark Tank appearance. Supplements now contribute about 93 percent of total revenue, helped by margins close to 70 percent.

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Decode Age Funding 

In its early phase, Decode Age was funded by the founders and their families, with close to ₹1 crore invested. The startup later appeared on Shark Tank India Season 3, where it raised ₹1 crore from Anupam Mittal.

Its largest funding round came with a ₹14.48 crore pre-Series A investment led by Dr. Krishna Prasad Chigurupati, Chairman and Managing Director of Granules India. The funds are being used to grow biomarker research, expand gut microbiome studies, and improve lab systems.

The founders have shared that this funding allows them to work on research plans that were earlier difficult to support due to limited funds.

The Road Ahead for Decode Age

Decode Age plans to launch more advanced tests, including oral and vaginal microbiome testing. The company is also working on new supplements focused on inflammation control and brain health.

From its base in Bengaluru, Decode Age wants to build strong research work in ageing science with a long-term view. The founders remain focused on steady growth, strong data, and clear results.

What started in a small garage in Surat is now shaping how ageing is studied in India, with a clear focus on facts and careful research.

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