Pooja H S is the Co-Founder and Director of Vyli. Vyli is a Mind-Body intervention platform created to offer customized support and emotional guidance to couples who desire to conceive and are undergoing/ wish to undergo infertility treatment. This startup addresses the comorbidities associated with reproductive health issues. 

Vyli 

Infertility Tech startup, Vyli has its inception in 2020. They primarily focus on women’s health and infertility issues. They also assist women with mental health issues that arise from this condition. 

Pooja emphasizes, “In India, most interventions regarding infertility treatment or procedures are always meant for women. Medical interventions for any condition are hard to face. But having family and partner support makes the journey easy.”

The startup offers a virtual support platform where an anonymous group can share their feelings and thoughts. Women going through similar health conditions can share and listen to each other's problems. This platform is fully anonymous and confidential, meant especially for women. This way women can pour out their hearts without the fear of judgmental society.

How is Vyli different from other startups focusing on infertility treatment?

Pooja explains, “Other startups on infertility treatment work on the medical condition (medication) but here we support their mental health issues/conditions in parallel with the medications. Our therapies are in support of the medications that are being given to fasten the actions of medicines.” 

The women’s wellness and healthcare market have also been growing rapidly. According to Markets and Markets, the global women’s healthcare market is expected to reach $17.8 billion by 2024 from $9.6 billion at present, witnessing a CAGR of 13.2 percent.

USP of Vyli

Pooja says, “We have come up with integrated care that comprises three components – Clinical Nutrition, Clinical Psychologist, Mind-body interventionist along with Gynecologist expert. These are four pillars through which integrated care is delivered. Other startups only provide counseling sessions for couples but not the entire integrated care. The procedure is done through a digital platform (application). The app has self-care sessions that guide couples. Couples can see and practice. We do mapping of the progress also, and handhold them throughout their treatment.”

India accounts for 17.7% of the total world population, of which nearly half are women, FemTech as a concept is, at best, described as nascent. Persisting issues such as rural/urban disparities, education and decision-making, and gender equality have a massive role in hurdling FemTech growth.

FemTech is a flourishing industry, expected to reach USD 71,000 million by 2026. With innovative technologies targeting menstruation issues, pelvic health, fertility and birth control, sexual wellness, chronic conditions and general healthcare, the market is poised to grow at a healthy rate of 17% from 2020 to 2026.

The customer base of Vyli

The startup has worked with 100+ couples. Recently they have done a commercial launch.

The startup was funded by US angel investors and also from different institutions.

Revenues 

Pooja mentions, “FY21 revenues were 10 lakhs plus and for FY 22-23 we are targeting 2 crores.”

Expansion plans of Vyli

Currently, the startup is focusing on women’s health and infertility interventions but is planning to expand services to prenatal and postpartum also. Within 3-4 years, the startup will get fully into providing support and helping people with mental health issues. Clinical trials are under process, once they are completed, the startup will target the US market and then Singapore. 

Pooja concludes, “Social cause startups add value to consumer’s life and this gives us immense happiness and pleasure.”

(Edited by Renu Gupta)