The ever-evolving startup culture and faster adoption of new-age technologies like cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) have catalysed the growth of healthtech startups in India. These startups facilitate medical procedures by marrying traditional practices with modern technologies. Such ventures are increasingly becoming popular in India as telemedicine, and online delivery of healthcare facilities help them tap a larger market base.
In the last decade, several such startups have not just complimented the services offered at brick-and-mortar hospitals but also attracted big investments and built a loyal customer base. In 2021, there were 3,548 active startups in the healthtech space. During the year, the startups in this sector received $2.2 billion in funding across 131 deals, according to an Inc42 report.
Four Indian health-tech startups -- Innovaccer, Pharmeasy, Cure.fit (now Cult.fit), and Pristyn Care -- became unicorns in 2021. On World Health Day, we take a look at the major healthtech startups in India:
PharmEasy
Founded in 2014, the platform allows users to order diagnostic tests and medicines online. An individual can book a diagnostic test, and a staff member can then be called to the house to collect samples of the patient. Apart from getting a medical test done at home, one can also order medicines, supplements, and other healthcare products on the PharmEasy platform.
1mg
Founded in 2015, this platform serves as an online pharmacy. A user can view and compare the prices of the medicines at different stores and place an order with the chemist of his choice. Like PharmEasy, a patient can get OTC and prescription drugs delivered at home at 1mg. However, in both cases, uploading a doctor's prescription is mandatory.
Pristyn Care
Founded in 2018, Pristyn Care offers end-to-end elective surgeries to provide a hassle free experience to patients. The company has a wide ecosystem of over 150 clinics, 800-plus hospitals, and more than 400 in-house super-specialty surgeons on its payroll currently operating in 40 cities across India. Pristyn Care ensures that 24/7 personal care coordinator is allotted to every patient; the coordinator ensures pre-surgery consultation with the doctor, assists in getting prescribed diagnostics, done, helps with remote insurance clearance, admission and discharge formalities, cab pick-up/drop and post-surgery follow-up consultation so that patients and their family can focus on recovery.
Cult.fit
This Indian brand offers fitness training with nutrition coaching. Also, Cult.fit provides at-home fitness routines, including dance, yoga, and workout. Further, Cure.fit-owned EatFit has also earned repute as a platform offering healthy food delivery services, such as meals, snacks, beverages, and online mental wellness programmes.
The offerings of this digital and offline fitness solutions provider also include mental well-being and primary care. Founded in 2016, the company has become popular for offline group workouts, and gym- or equipment-based workouts at partner gyms and fitness centres across several cities.
Practo
Another easy-to-use app, Practo allows an individual to cut through the long hospital queue and lets a person make an appointment with a doctor. Practo also enables teleconsultations and viewing of patient profiles. The company was founded in 2008. According to its website, it has more than one lakh doctor profiles from India and Singapore.
HealthKart
Founded in 2011, the brand is popular for nutritional supplements, sports supplements, and health products. Ayurveda, herbal, health food, and fitness products are also sold here, besides nutritionist consultations.
Innovacer
Founded in 2014, this cloud and AI-based platform collects, analyses, and provides insights on patient health. Other solutions include remote patient monitoring, surgery optimisation, CRM, referral management, etc. This platform also has AI-powered decision support tools. The four major products offered by Innovacer are InNote, InConnect, InGraph, and InCare.
Tata Digital Health
Founded in 2017, this platform provides software solutions for doctors and clinics. Its major offerings are cloud-based patient health records, online solutions for managing patient appointments and scheduling, invoices and prescriptions, remote monitoring and management of chronic patients, and diagnostic solutions for clinics.
