Healthtech startup in India launches 50-minute medicine delivery

In a country where a late medicine delivery can mean the difference between comfort and crisis, Zeno Health is flipping the script. With a new 50-minute medicine delivery service, the Mumbai-based healthtech startup is promising speed, scale, and serious savings. It's a gutsy move — and it's backed by a fresh $25 million boost from its Series C round.

"We're not just in the business of selling pills — we're delivering peace of mind," the company might well say, as it aims to outpace rivals like Tata 1mg and PharmEasy in the race for India's pharmacy crown.

How does it work?

Zeno Health has built a slick, tech-powered logistics engine under the hood of a very human promise: fast, affordable, reliable medicine delivery. Here's what's going on behind the scenes:

• Over 180 retail pharmacy stores across Maharashtra act as anchor points.
• 200 micro-franchises extend reach into smaller pockets, especially in West Bengal.
• Customers can order via app, phone, or by walking into a store — no minimums, no delivery fees.
• Orders are picked, packed, and dispatched in record time thanks to tight integration between physical stores and the delivery network.

That blend of digital muscle and boots-on-the-ground reach? It's what makes the 50-minute magic happen.

Why does it matter?

India's hunger for healthcare access is growing, and speed is the new gold standard. People aren't just ordering late-night snacks anymore — they're ordering life-saving meds. This isn't about convenience. It's about necessity.

Zeno Health's model also tackles another pain point: cost. By sourcing generic medicines straight from manufacturers, they're slashing prices for the end customer. That matters in a country where out-of-pocket spending on healthcare can crush families.

As one observer put it: "Affordable care delivered quickly — this is what India needs, not just wants."

The context

Zeno was founded in 2017 with a clear vision: democratize medicine. Seven years in, they've served over 1.5 million customers, raised over $56 million, and built a name on trust and transparency. Their investors — STIC Investments, Lightbox, and others — clearly believe this story's just getting started.

Of course, the battlefield is crowded. Giants like Flipkart Health+, Netmeds, and the ever-expanding Swiggy Instamart are all angling for a slice of the same pie. Even newcomers like Plazza are charging in, hungry for a share of the fast-growing quick commerce health market.

But with deep roots in retail, a tech-forward approach, and a hyper-local strategy, Zeno just might have the secret sauce.

And could also inspire a delivery company or a pharma chain in the MENA region to launch something similar, perhaps even targeting a smaller delivery window — like 30 minutes. There's an idea.