CNBC-TV18’s ‘Health X Conversations,’ presented by Optum, recently featured Tushar Vashisht, Co-founder & CEO of HealthifyMe, at NSUT Delhi. The discussion centered on the burgeoning field of health technology and the opportunities it offers to aspiring professionals.
Vashisht shared his experiences building HealthifyMe, a successful health tech company, highlighting the dynamic intersection of healthcare and technology. He emphasized the vast potential for innovation within the industry, making it an attractive field for today’s bright minds.
During the session, Vashisht recounted his return to the NSUT campus, where he had studied computer science two decades prior. This set the stage for sharing how a simple website designed to help people track calories evolved into a leading health and fitness app.
“Why don’t we just quickly build it up into a website?” Vashisht explained, detailing the initial phase of the app’s development. “And so we did that and, you know, let people sort of count their calories on it.” The platform quickly gained traction, attracting thousands of daily active users.
This early success led to angel funding to grow the business. Vashisht described the app’s humble beginnings, tracking calories, weight, and other key metrics.
“Kind of accidentally started the website turned into an app, obviously,” he said. The HealthifyMe app eventually won Google’s Best App award for India in 2014. Its high ratings reflected the positive user experience and the team’s dedication. However, the company faced financial challenges, learning the importance of revenue generation for sustainable business growth.
Vashisht also talked about the future of the healthcare industry, highlighting the rise of AI and its potential to make healthcare more accessible. He envisioned a future where ‘near free doctors’ and tutors become a reality, driven by technology.
“There is going to be a near free doctor for everybody in the next two to three years,” he predicted. He encouraged young graduates to leverage their energy and curiosity to contribute to this evolving sector.
Addressing the shifting consumer landscape, Vashisht noted the increasing health consciousness of the public.
“People actually care about health, looking good, being healthy is the new sexy,” he observed, contrasting this with past priorities of materialism.
The episode serves as an inspiring look into entrepreneurship and the dynamic growth happening in the field of health technology.
