Virat Kohli-Backed Startup Just Snapped Up 20 Clinics — Is This the Biggest Power Move in Indian Dental Care?
India’s Smile-Tech Giant Just Went Offline — and It’s Coming for Your City Next
In a surprise deal that’s shaking up India’s dental industry, MakeO — the company behind viral brands Toothsi and Skinnsi — is buying out Apple Dental, a growing chain of dental clinics in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
And it’s not just a business deal — it’s a strategic landgrab for dominance in India’s Rs 20,000 crore beauty and oral care market.
What makes this even bigger? MakeO is backed by celebrity power couple Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma, and it just raised Rs 100 crore to fuel its offline expansion.
Let’s break down how this bold move could turn MakeO into India’s ultimate aesthetic care powerhouse.
20 Clinics. Rs 10.98 Crore. One Big Statement.
According to regulatory filings, MakeO will acquire 100% of Apple Dental for Rs 10.98 crore through a mix of cash and stock.
The cherry on top? MakeO is also giving Apple Dental a loan of Rs 1.5 crore at up to 13% interest, showing they’re not just buying — they’re investing in scaling.
Why Apple Dental? With 20 clinics across smaller cities, it gives MakeO instant offline muscle in regions where digital-first models haven’t yet reached.
Translation?
This isn’t just an acquisition — it’s a blueprint for dominating small-town India.
From Home Aligners to Healthcare Empire — The Rise of MakeO
Started in 2018 as Toothsi, the brand offered invisible aligners to fix smiles from the comfort of home. But it didn’t stop there.
Fast forward to 2022 — the company merged Toothsi with its skincare line Skinnsi to form MakeO, expanding into:
- Smile correction
- Cosmetic dermatology
- Hair care
- And now… offline clinics
What’s next? Don’t be surprised if your neighborhood mall or high street soon has a MakeO Smile & Skin Studio.
Who’s Funding This Rocket Ship?
This is not some bootstrapped hustle. MakeO has raised over $100 million to date from some of India’s heaviest hitters, including:
- Virat Kohli & Anushka Sharma
- Siddharth Shah (PharmEasy Co-founder)
- Eight Roads Ventures
- 360 One
- Paramark Ventures
- Zoho Corporation
That Rs 100 crore fundraise earlier this year?
Now we know where it’s going: expansion, domination, and building India’s first full-stack personal care empire.
MakeO Is Quietly Winning the Numbers Game Too
Despite tough market conditions, MakeO has shown financial discipline:
- FY24 Revenue: ₹179 crore
- FY24 Losses: Down 32% to ₹150 crore
- Recurring revenue models are starting to pay off
In a world where most startups are still burning cash with no clear path to profit, MakeO is narrowing its losses and expanding fast.
And with Apple Dental now in the fold, it could add a profitable, recurring service layer that balances out the online customer acquisition cost.
The Real Play? Total Category Ownership
MakeO isn’t just trying to sell aligners or facials. It’s doing something much bigger:
Owning the entire ecosystem of beauty, wellness, and medical-grade personal care in India.
Imagine a future where:
- You scan your teeth on the app
- Book a dermatologist consult at home
- Visit a MakeO clinic nearby for advanced care
- And manage your post-care through AI-driven follow-ups
That’s healthcare-meets-luxury-meets-tech, and no other Indian brand is building this deep.
Final Take: A Dental Deal That’s Anything But Boring
On the surface, this looks like a niche startup buying some regional clinics.
But take a closer look, and it’s the beginning of a nationwide land grab — led by a brand that’s already winning online and now wants to own the offline game too.
With celebrity backers, deep VC pockets, and a multi-brand strategy, MakeO is no longer a startup — it’s a serious contender for India’s next big consumer health-tech unicorn.
