Jason Phillips
Dr. Water, created by Yash Verma and Smile Bhateja, is a creative wellness-tech brand changing the narrative about how the world thinks about hydration, performance, and longevity. The brand combines science and its founders’ vision for sustainability and growth. The founders achieve their vision by focusing on people-powered innovation rather than product innovation, which has led to personal and professional success.
How Dr. Water Is Changing Consumer Perspective About Hydration
Dr. Water stands apart from its competitors with its hydrogen-infused water, which studies have shown improves focus, reduces inflammation, and supports recovery. The water is positioned between supplements and smart beverages, introducing a new category of functional hydration. Everything, from the packaging to the hydrogen water, is eco-friendly, something every consumer can take pride in.
The reusable bottle in which the water is packaged infuses hydrogen in just three minutes and is helping to build a strong community of athletes, creatives, and wellness leaders.
The founders are dedicated to addressing a fundamental health challenge through science-backed products that are both thoughtfully designed and genuinely trusted by consumers. Their vision extends beyond innovation to encompass long-term wellness, carbon-neutral operations, and international scientific collaboration—an effort spearheaded by Dr. Water.
Yash Verma’s Background
Verma is a former climate-tech founder who has spent the previous five years solving health issues at scale. His contributions include air purification and sustainable agriculture, and he leverages this knowledge to propel Dr. Water forward with science at its core, including using molecular hydrogen for wellness.
The entrepreneur is also a founding member of Climes, which led projects backed by a $120,000 USAID grant and a $4,000 Terra Studio grant. This seed money helped Verma create viable environmental solutions, transitioning over $50 million of agri-practices to eco-friendly alternatives.
Recognition and Accolades
Verma’s work has drawn both financial and academic recognition, earning distinctions at events such as IIT Kharagpur, MapMyIndia Hackathon, and the Founders Bootcamp. His research now explores a simple but powerful idea: if we can optimize external systems, why not apply the same logic to our own bodies? This perspective has led him to share his insights at forums including COP28, the India Carbon Conference, and other global events.
Smile Bhateja’s Contributions to Dr. Water
As an Ironman athlete, Smile understands firsthand the impact of disciplined routines and healthy choices. That same mindset informs his work as a DTC growth expert, where he has scaled consumer brands across the US, EU, UK, and Australia. Drawing on this experience, he now supports Dr. Water’s expansion strategy. Following the pandemic, Smile also guided more than 300 DTC brands in transitioning to video commerce, helping them remain resilient through shifting market conditions.
The entrepreneur now heads Dr. Water’s growth and product division, utilizing his professional experience to lead the brand to new heights with its recovery drink for athletes and everyday consumers.
The founders of Dr. Water have extensive experience in scaling commerce and business, and their functional beverage brand is poised for success. The founders have created a new hydration level that benefits athletes and everyday consumers.