(July 18, 2025) From building agri-tech tools in Denmark to launching a microbiome-first skincare brand in India, entrepreneur Palak Sehgal bridges science and sustainability across borders. Her path from Manipal to Copenhagen reflects a clear-eyed pursuit of science with real-world impact. A bioengineer turned entrepreneur, with research stints at the University of Nottingham in the UK and IIT Bombay, Palak first made waves abroad by co-founding Nordetect—a Copenhagen-based agritech venture bringing rapid soil and water diagnostics to farmers across 35 regions in Europe and the U.S.
However, her leap into global entrepreneurship didn’t mean turning away from home. In 2024, Sehgal launched Kasaya, a microbiome-first skincare line crafted through a fusion of Ayurvedic wisdom and Nordic bioactives in the hills of Uttarakhand. While her lab-on-a-chip technology accelerates agri-innovation abroad, her skincare formulations are fuelling a clean beauty movement in India. The entrepreneur’s ventures reflect a deep commitment to science, sustainability, and the places she calls home.
Roots of curiosity
Growing up in Delhi, Palak Sehgal was always drawn to how things worked. Encouraged by a household that valued curiosity and creativity, she followed her interest in science to Manipal Institute of Technology, where she pursued a B.Tech in Biotechnology. That academic foundation was followed by an M.Sc. in Plant Genetics at the University of Nottingham. “It was there that I first learnt to translate molecular insights into practical tools,” she shares with Global Indian.
Her passion for applied science deepened at IIT Bombay’s NanoBios Lab, which she joined following her M.Sc. in Plant Genetics at the University of Nottingham. At India’s premiere institute, she spent two formative years working on medical devices and point-of-care diagnostics which are portable tools designed to deliver immediate results without the need for a full lab. This stint, as she notes, laid the foundation for her product development journey.
Science and serendipity in Scandinavia
In 2017, Sehgal moved to Denmark, where she was awarded the Novozymes/Henning Holck-Larsen Fellowship at DTU Bioengineering. Her research focused on terpenoid metabolism in moss, which encompassed studying how certain natural compounds (often used in medicine) are produced and how to increase their output. “I worked with moss as a cell factory and sharpened my downstream bioprocess skills,” she recalls. Downstream processing refers to the steps taken after a product is created in the lab, including purification and formulation. Beyond the lab work, Palak also absorbed Denmark’s collaborative open-lab culture, which would later influence her entrepreneurial mindset.
Building Nordetect for a changing world
Not long after moving to Denmark Palak co-founded Nordetect ApS in Copenhagen, creating a rapid, on-site chemical testing system for soil and water. What used to take four days in a lab could now be completed in just three minutes. “We built a disposable microfluidic cartridge with all the chemistry embedded, and a handheld reader that measures six key elements—nitrate, phosphate, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulphate,” she explains. Microfluidics is the science of manipulating very small volumes of fluids, often within a device the size of a credit card.
Their work earned spots in the HAX Accelerator, which took her to Shenzhen and San Francisco, followed by stints at Rockstart Agrifood and Luminate Optics Accelerator. By 2022, Nordetect expanded to the US with a headquarters in Rochester, NY. Today, their devices are deployed across 35 regions and counting.
Point-of-care devices were commonplace in the realm of medicine like glucometers and COVID tests, but were rarely available in agriculture. “It felt upside-down,” she says. “Food and water keep us alive every day.”
Co-founders Palak Sehgal and Keenan Pinto pitching Nordetect to 250 VIPs during the initial days of their startup
Navigating challenges and finding focus
Despite the innovation, building a hardware-based startup was never easy. “Investors love SaaS—hardware and optics, not so much,” she admits. Still, with a combination of robust product offerings in hardware, software, and chemistry, Nordetect was able to raise $3.2 million in equity and nearly $1 million in grants.
COVID brought unexpected hurdles. Farming pilots were paused, and global supply chains froze. The solution? A sharp pivot to indoor farming—greenhouses and vertical farms to keep momentum going. Indoor farming allows for controlled environments, minimizing disruption due to weather or logistics. Palak also made sure the team always sourced double the raw materials to avoid disruptions. “It was about building buffers so production could continue smoothly,” she says.
Return to roots with Kasaya skincare
In late 2024, the entrepreneur came full circle. After two years of R&D, she launched Kasaya, a skincare brand rooted in Ayurvedic science but built with Nordic standards. All formulations are developed and tested in Copenhagen and produced in small batches in Uttarakhand. “We operate only in India currently, and ingredients are sourced both from India and Denmark,” she shares.
Kasaya’s philosophy centers on skin resilience, not just surface beauty. “Each formula is built on a three-layered spine—prebiotics to feed good microbes, probiotics to balance them, and postbiotics to calm the skin barrier,” she explains. Together, these support the skin’s natural microbiome, which are a community of healthy bacteria that protect and strengthen the skin. “Offline testers loved them. Online sales are now climbing week by week,” she mentions.
The current range includes eight SKUs with more in the pipeline. Notably, all products hold certifications like COSMOS Natural, UK Organic, USDA Organic, FDA clearance, and dermatologist and OBGYN approval.
One of Kasaya’s products
Science meets simplicity
What sets Kasaya apart is the blend of Indian botanicals with Scandinavian bioactives, executed with minimalist Nordic principles. “We don’t promote layering or long skincare routines,” she says. “Simple two-three step rituals with potent blends—no quick fixes, just strong skin that heals itself.”
Ingredients like saffron, mahua, and red sandalwood sit alongside Nordic barrier-builders like birch, algae, sea-buckthorn, and berries. In vivo trials, the tests conducted on real people, not just in labs, back up their efficacy—a 38-person study showed 98 percent improvement in scars and inflammation, 97 percent smoother texture, and 100 percent perceived radiance within three weeks.
Three patents are pending on the brand’s unique formulations, with more expected as R&D progresses.
Beyond the lab: Mentorship and impact
Palak Sehgall is also deeply involved in several entrepreneurial ecosystems. She’s part of Rebbels, a network for female founders, and contributes to High5girls, which promotes STEM education for girls. A finalist in the Nordic Women in Tech awards in 2020 and 2021, she returned as a judge and role model in 2023.
What drives her? “I’m inspired by builders—those who create something from scratch, whether it’s a product, business, or community. I admire quiet perseverance and honest leadership,” she mentions.
What’s next
The entrepreneur isn’t slowing down. For Nordetect, the focus is on scaling operations across North America and streamlining production. For Kasaya, the goal is to turn it into India’s leading microbiome-first skincare brand.
That means expanding retail presence, both online and in select physical stores, and exploring immersive formats like spas, wellness retreats, and workshops. “We want people to experience the science behind the products in real time,” she says.
And as always, her mantra remains simple but firm: “Progress happens with patience and presence, by doing the messy work and iterating out loud. Waiting for perfect conditions just delays what can be done now.”
- Follow Palak Sehgal on LinkedIn
