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Be Part of the Future of Health Research
Whether you're a researcher or participant, Alethios makes health research effortless and impactful.
A practical guide to getting internal buy-in for research investment — and why starting small is smarter than waiting. Perfect for early-stage wellness brands.
If you’re a founder, product lead, marketing lead, or innovation lead at a consumer health or wellness startup, you already know the tension: you believe in your product – but you don’t have the scientific research to support your feeling.
Maybe you’re ready to run a study. Maybe you’ve found a great research partner. But there’s one last step: getting buy-in from the rest of the C-suite.
This is one of the most common blockers we hear at Alethios. And it’s understandable. Clinical research has long been viewed as slow, expensive, and complex – more “later-stage” than startup-friendly.
But that perception is outdated. And if you’re in the business of building trust in wellness, delaying research is a bigger risk than starting small.
This post is your guide to building the case internally – for better science, smarter investment, and ultimately, a stronger brand.
Research isn’t just about science. It’s about marketing, differentiation, compliance, and long-term brand equity.
Here’s what’s really at stake:
1. Claims Drive Conversion
Studies show that consumers are more likely to try and repurchase products with clear, substantiated claims. Research-backed messaging helps turn browsers into buyers.
In fact, a 2023 Council for Responsible Nutrition Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements found that 91% of supplement users believe product efficacy is important when choosing a supplement, and 74% say seeing clinical studies cited on labels or websites makes them more likely to trust the product.
2. Retail Buyers Are Getting Smarter
Major retailers increasingly expect substantiated claims. Many now require evidence to stock or prioritize wellness products – especially in the supplement and skincare categories.
3. It’s a Legal Safety Net
FTC and FDA guidelines around structure/function claims are tightening. Having real-world data or structured testing helps de-risk language on your site, packaging, and advertising.
4. Differentiation in a Crowded Market
Wellness categories are saturated. Proof is a moat. Brands with real evidence – especially from third-party, real-world studies – stand out from competitors relying solely on TikTok shop creators to relay their product’s efficacy.
Objection 1: “It’s too expensive.”
Response: It doesn’t have to be.
The traditional model – RCTs with CROs costing $250K+ – isn’t the only option. At Alethios, we’ve helped brands start with pilot studies, observational designs, and structured testimonials for a fraction of the cost.
You can now start with studies under $25K that still deliver meaningful, directional data – and grow from there.
Frame it as a staged investment: Phase 1 = signal, Phase 2 = proof.
Objection 2: “It’s too early for us.”
Response: That’s exactly why you should start.
If you’re still iterating on formulation, research can inform product-market fit. How do people respond to the texture, flavor, scent, experience of your product? It’s never too early to apply structure and rigor to your new product development (NPD) process.
It’s also the fastest path to building messaging that resonates – and that you can defend.
Objection 3: “Marketing owns the story. Why do we need science?”
Response: Science makes the story stronger.
Marketing and research aren’t opposites – they’re partners. When a great story is backed by data, it becomes more than a pitch. It becomes a truth consumers believe and return to.
Brands like Ritual and Levels have built entire ecosystems around trust, transparency, and validation. The proof is the brand.
When you’re bringing research to the leadership table, don’t lead with cost. Lead with strategic opportunity. Here’s how to structure your case:
1. Connect Research to Core KPIs
2. Use Competitive Pressure
Call out category leaders investing in science. Pull examples from public-facing studies, whitepapers, or structured testimonials. If your competitors are building credibility, so should you.
Bonus: mention when competitors lack proof – it’s your opportunity to own the space.
3. Present a Pilot-First Approach
Don’t ask for six figures. Ask for an entry point.
Show them a clear proposal with:
Position it as a test-and-learn initiative that will inform product, marketing, and future R&D.
At Alethios, we’ve worked with dozens of early-stage and growth-stage brands across categories – from omega-3 supplements to skincare to cognitive enhancers. And we see the same mistake again and again:
Waiting for the “perfect time” to start research.
But the perfect time rarely comes. Formulations change. Budgets shift. Teams get distracted.
The better approach? Start where you are. Run a study that gives you confidence and momentum – and build from there.
Since launching Alethios, we’ve supported research for brands like For Wellness, Hofseth Biocare, Samphire Neuro, and other early-stage teams.
We’ve run studies on:
Thousands of participants have enrolled through our platform – many joining the Alethiad community even when they weren’t eligible for studies. That’s a sign of brand engagement built through trust.
In the consumer health world, research isn’t optional anymore. It’s a core function of brand growth, risk management, and long-term defensibility.
The best operators are learning to:
If you’re trying to get buy-in for your next study, keep it simple:
“This isn’t about checking a regulatory box. It’s about building a brand people trust.”
And if you want help scoping a right-sized study for your stage, the Alethios team is here.
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Whether you're a researcher or participant, Alethios makes health research effortless and impactful.
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