ET Startup Awards 2026: Habuild leans on repeat users to expand beyond yoga into strength training, nutrition

Habuild, the digital wellness platform that began offering free yoga classes during the Covid pandemic, has become a profitable business through repeat subscriptions and has now expanded its offerings to include strength training, nutrition, and AI-led meal planning, according to CEO Saurabh Bothra. With 690,000 active users, the platform maintains a 50-55% annual subscriber renewal rate and a 70% attendance rate for its classes, which Bothra attributes to the value users receive and the resulting word-of-mouth referrals.

Facing competition from free workout content on social media and nutrition-tracking apps, Habuild differentiates itself with accountability rather than content, a strategy that has helped it remain profitable since launch. The Nagpur-based company generated revenues of Rs 112 crore in FY25, up from Rs 36 crore in FY24, and reported a 237% year-over-year increase in net profit to Rs 57 crore.

Its user base, largely women aged 35 to 55, primarily comes through referrals, particularly via WhatsApp, keeping customer acquisition costs low. The company plans to add multilingual classes, more trainers, and new verticals like food and sleep tracking, with the goal of attracting younger users who are more likely to engage with strength training, dance, and intense workouts led by Trishala Bothra.

Additionally, Habuild is exploring AI-driven health tools, including a meal-planning app called Kitchen Saathi, to personalize nutrition at scale while adhering to strict health and habit-building guidelines.