Droplette

Droplette, a Boston-based company founded in 2017, operates at the intersection of medical science and consumer skincare. The company was established by two MIT-trained chemical engineers, Madhavi Gavini and Rathi Srinivas. Their journey began after attending a medical conference where they learned about epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a rare and painful genetic skin disease that primarily affects children. Motivated to find a painless method to deliver medication through the skin, they began experimenting with fluid physics, initially working with components purchased from eBay at Gavini's kitchen table. This research led to a breakthrough in transdermal delivery, which garnered early grant funding from NASA and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The core of Droplette's business is a smart device that transforms proprietary skincare serums into a high-velocity micro-mist. This technology, leveraging principles like fluid dynamics and the piezoelectric effect, creates droplets thousands of times smaller than traditional misters, allowing them to penetrate the skin's barrier up to 20 cell layers deep. This process enhances the efficacy of active ingredients, which often struggle to be absorbed when applied topically. The company's business model revolves around selling the handheld device and a subscription-based service for its single-use capsules containing various formulations. These capsules are formulated with dermatologist-recommended ingredients such as collagen, retinol, and glycolic acid to address concerns like hydration, fine lines, and blemishes.

The company's target market is the at-home consumer seeking clinical-grade skincare results without invasive procedures. Revenue is generated from the initial sale of the device and recurring monthly subscriptions for the serum capsules. Droplette has successfully raised significant capital to fuel its growth, including a Series B round that brought its total funding to over $39.5 million. Key investors include Spark Capital, Victress Capital, and Bolt. The company launched its second-generation device, Droplette 2, in 2023, featuring hardware and software upgrades, and a more integrated mobile app that allows users to connect with licensed estheticians for personalized guidance.

Keywords: skincare device, transdermal delivery, micro-mist, Madhavi Gavini, Rathi Srinivas, MIT, NASA-backed, NIH grant, epidermolysis bullosa, at-home skincare, subscription service, serum capsules, collagen, retinol, glycolic acid, needle-free, skin barrier penetration, beauty tech, fluid dynamics, cosmetic device, Series B, Spark Capital, Victress Capital, Jodi Kaplan, Droplette 2