Pankaj Chaddah and Pooja Khanna: Mindhouse’s Journey from FoodTech to Mental Wellness Pioneers

Pankaj Chaddah and Pooja Khanna, the co-founders of Mindhouse, have authored such a tale of resilience, adaptation, and innovation. Their transition from the food delivery giant, Zomato, to launching Mindhouse, a mental wellness venture, reflects not only their entrepreneurial spirit but also their commitment to addressing unmet societal needs. This dynamic duo’s story is one of successful pivots, strategic thinking, and making the most of pandemic-induced tailwinds.

Pankaj Chaddah’s departure from Zomato, following a decade of shaping the online food delivery business, marked a significant turning point. In December 2019, he embarked on a new journey by co-founding Mindhouse with Pooja Khanna, a former key employee at Zomato responsible for spearheading its international operations in the early days. Together, they set out to revolutionize the mental wellness industry, recognizing its vast potential.

Four months after the launch of Mindhouse, the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of being discouraged by the unexpected challenge, Pankaj Chaddah and Pooja Khanna chose to pivot from an offline model of meditation studios to an online-only model. This swift response to the changing landscape proved to be a game-changer. Not only did Mindhouse remain resilient, but it also capitalized on the newfound demand for online wellness services, particularly in the domains of yoga and nutrition. Pankaj Chaddah and Pooja Khanna’s experience at Zomato played a crucial role in their successful transition from an offline to an online business model. Their prior involvement in setting up and scaling a B2C online business with a global reach equipped them with invaluable knowledge. As Pankaj Chaddah notes, these experiences allowed them to “start again and scale much faster.” This background in the digital realm significantly influenced Mindhouse’s adaptability and growth.

Pooja Khanna explains that the decision to venture into mental wellness was based on identifying gaps in the health and wellness industry, both in India and globally. While wellness has gained substantial traction in the West, India lacked structured and credible solutions in the sector. The opportunity to address not only preventive wellness but also “curative wellness,” which tackles lifestyle diseases and medical conditions, inspired them to focus on mental wellness. This segment, though nascent, was deemed the most challenging yet promising.

The onset of the pandemic was pivotal in accelerating the growth of Mindhouse’s online presence. Pankaj Chaddah highlights that the pivot was driven by user demand, signifying a real and pressing need. Users sought wellness services to manage ailments and conditions, leading to significant improvements in their daily lives. This demand spurred Mindhouse to pivot towards a chronic care-based wellness platform, offering full-stack services. The transition has been marked by robust user feedback and high retention rates.

The timing of Mindhouse’s pivot couldn’t have been more opportune. Pankaj Chaddah underscores that the digital-first approach is the future, extending to the wellness sector. The digital platform allows for the democratization of services, overcoming geographic limitations and reducing delivery costs. Moreover, it enables personalized experiences, monitoring progress, and tailoring recommendations for users on their wellness journey.

Mindhouse is not limited by borders. Pooja Khanna reveals that nearly 25 percent of their revenue already comes from international markets. The company intends to strengthen its technology infrastructure to enhance user experiences and provide comprehensive, high-quality wellness services.

Mindhouse’s impressive growth, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, underscores the resilience and adaptability of Pankaj Chaddah and Pooja Khanna. The venture is flourishing, with increasing demand for yoga and nutrition services for chronic ailments and medical conditions. Mindhouse is positioning itself as a one-stop shop for all wellness products and services, catering to a global audience with offerings spanning yoga, meditation, nutrition, counseling, supplements, and Ayurveda.

One striking aspect of Mindhouse’s journey is the recent angel round of funding. Pankaj Chaddah emphasizes that their high gross-margin business model has reduced the immediate need for extensive funding. With a monthly growth rate of 30 percent and annual recurring revenue close to $1 million, Mindhouse has been predominantly self-funded, with experienced angels onboard, further highlighting the venture’s appeal to investors. Pankaj Chaddah and Pooja Khanna’s transition from food delivery to mental wellness pioneers exemplifies the spirit of innovation and adaptability that defines successful entrepreneurs. Their journey with Mindhouse demonstrates the power of recognizing unmet needs, responding to user demand, and seizing opportunities, even in the face of adversity.