A groundbreaking medical travel startup, founded by the creators of Dineout, has secured $4.5 million in funding led by Nexus Venture Partners, marking a significant step towards bridging healthcare gaps between the UK and India.
The Medical Travel Company, co-founded by Ankit Mehrotra and Sahil Jain, aims to connect patients in the UK with affordable, high-quality medical care in India, addressing long waiting times for surgeries abroad.
Addressing Global Healthcare Challenges
This funding round, which also saw participation from Kriscore Capital and notable investors like cricketers Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, and KL Rahul, underscores the growing interest in medical tourism as a solution to global healthcare disparities.
The startup leverages India’s renowned medical expertise and cost-effective treatments to offer an alternative for patients facing delays in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), where waiting lists for elective surgeries can stretch over months or even years.
A Vision Rooted in Experience
Mehrotra and Jain, who previously built Dineout into a leading restaurant discovery platform before its acquisition by Swiggy, bring their entrepreneurial acumen to tackle inefficiencies in the medical travel sector.
The funds will be utilized to scale operations, enhance technological infrastructure, and forge clinical partnerships with top-tier hospitals in India, ensuring seamless patient experiences from consultation to recovery.
The Broader Impact on Medical Tourism
This investment highlights the rising prominence of medical tourism, a sector projected to grow significantly as patients increasingly seek affordable and timely healthcare solutions beyond their borders.
India, often dubbed the ‘pharmacy of the world,’ has long been a hub for medical tourism, attracting patients with its combination of skilled professionals and lower costs compared to Western countries.
Historical Context and Future Potential
Historically, Nexus Venture Partners has backed innovative startups across sectors, with successful investments in companies like Rapido and Zolo Stays, positioning them as a key player in supporting disruptive ideas like The Medical Travel Company.
Looking ahead, this startup could pave the way for a new era of cross-border healthcare, potentially expanding its model to other regions facing similar challenges with healthcare access and affordability.
By reducing the burden on overstrained systems like the NHS, such initiatives could redefine how patients access care, making global healthcare equity a tangible goal in the coming years.
Andrew Lee
