DocsApp: India’s Leading Telemedicine Platform for Online Doctor Consultations

Company Highlights:

• Name: DocsApp (now merged with MediBuddy)
• Founded: 2015 by Satish Kannan and Enbasekar D, incubated at IIT Madras.
• Industry: Telemedicine, HealthTech, Digital Healthcare
• Core Services: Provides online doctor consultations, medicine delivery, lab test bookings, and health insurance services.
• Growth Milestones: In 2020, DocsApp raised $8 million in funding and merged with MediBuddy, expanding its healthcare offerings. The combined entity now serves millions of patients across India​
• Valuation: DocsApp’s post-merger valuation exceeded $150 million​
  .

About Us:

DocsApp, which recently merged with MediBuddy, is a pioneering telemedicine platform that makes healthcare more accessible through online consultations with over 5,000 specialized doctors across various fields like dermatology, psychiatry, and pediatrics. Founded with the goal of simplifying healthcare, DocsApp offers fast, affordable, and high-quality services, enabling users to get medical advice, prescriptions, and treatments digitally.

Following its merger with MediBuddy, DocsApp now also offers a comprehensive suite of services including health insurance management, preventive care, and access to a vast network of healthcare providers, hospitals, and pharmacies throughout India​

Industry:

DocsApp is a prominent player in the Telemedicine and HealthTech sector, which has seen substantial growth, driven by technological advancements, a surge in smartphone use, and the growing demand for easily accessible healthcare. In India, where healthcare accessibility is often a challenge, the digital healthcare market is booming.

Key drivers behind this sector’s growth include:

• Increased internet and smartphone penetration.
• Government initiatives supporting telemedicine and digital health solutions.
• Rising demand for convenient and affordable healthcare.

Founders and Team:

DocsApp was co-founded in 2015 by Satish Kannan and Enbasekar D, both alumni of IIT Madras. Satish Kannan, the CEO, has a background in software engineering and previously worked at companies like McKinsey & Company. Enbasekar D, the co-founder and CTO, brought his expertise in technology and software development to build a scalable platform for online healthcare solutions.

The team behind DocsApp is driven by a vision to make healthcare accessible, affordable, and efficient by leveraging technology to connect patients with specialized doctors. Their efforts were pivotal in the creation and success of DocsApp, which became one of India’s leading telemedicine platforms​

Startup Story:

DocsApp was born out of a desire to bridge the gap in access to healthcare services, particularly for patients in rural areas and those unable to visit doctors in person due to busy schedules. The platform allowed users to consult doctors remotely via a mobile app, providing a solution to the country's healthcare challenges.

In the early days, DocsApp focused on offering specialist consultations across several fields, including dermatology, psychiatry, and pediatrics, making it a one-stop platform for patients seeking medical advice. The startup's breakthrough came when it raised substantial investment, including funding from Bessemer Venture Partners and JAFCO Asia Tech Fund​

In 2020, DocsApp merged with MediBuddy, a health benefits management platform, to expand its reach and services. This merger strengthened its position in the growing HealthTech and telemedicine market in India, where digital healthcare solutions are increasingly in demand​.

Mission:

DocsApp's mission is to make healthcare accessible, affordable, and efficient through the use of technology. The platform aims to bridge the gap in healthcare services, especially for people in rural and underserved areas, by offering online consultations with specialized doctors. DocsApp seeks to provide quality healthcare at the convenience of users' fingertips, ensuring that they have access to the right medical expertise whenever needed.

Vision:

DocsApp envisions becoming the leading telemedicine platform in India and across emerging markets, revolutionizing the way people access healthcare. Its long-term goal is to provide affordable, timely, and high-quality medical services to millions of people, leveraging technology to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes. By integrating telemedicine, lab services, medicine delivery, and health insurance, DocsApp aims to build a comprehensive ecosystem that addresses the diverse healthcare needs of its users.

Goals:

1. Expand Reach: Extend its services to more remote and underserved areas, helping bridge the healthcare accessibility gap.
2. Enhance Services: Continuously improve its platform by adding more specialized doctors and expanding healthcare services such as lab tests, medicine delivery, and preventive care.
3. Achieve Growth: DocsApp aims to serve millions of users and become one of the top players in the telemedicine sector, achieving sustainable growth through strategic mergers and partnerships like its recent merger with MediBuddy.
4. Innovation: Stay at the forefront of innovation by integrating AI, machine learning, and other technologies to improve diagnostics and personalize healthcare services.

Business and Revenue Model:

DocsApp primarily follows a B2C (Business to Consumer) model, offering a subscription-based service where users can access online consultations with a range of specialized doctors. Users can pay for consultations either on a per-consultation basis or through subscription plans that offer multiple consultations over a set period. The platform's revenue model is supported by:

1. Consultation Fees: DocsApp charges users for doctor consultations, which can range across specialties like dermatology, psychiatry, pediatrics, and more.
2. Subscription Plans: The company offers subscription plans for users who require regular consultations, providing an added incentive to stay on the platform.
3. Medicine Delivery: DocsApp generates revenue by facilitating the home delivery of medicines, often partnered with pharmacies.
4. Lab Tests: Revenue is also generated from the booking of diagnostic lab tests, enabling users to get necessary tests done from home​
5. Health Insurance: Post-merger with MediBuddy, DocsApp also earns from its health insurance management services, allowing users to access policies and benefits​

Fundings and Investors:

DocsApp has successfully attracted several rounds of funding from prominent investors. These include:

1. Seed Funding: Early investments were made by angel investors and venture capital firms, helping DocsApp develop its platform and establish its presence in the market.
2. Series A and B: DocsApp raised funding in Series A and B rounds, with significant backing from firms like Bessemer Venture Partners, Rebright Partners, and MediBuddy.
3. Series E: In its latest funding round in 2020, DocsApp raised $8 million led by JAFCO Asia Tech Fund and Team Fund LP. This round helped DocsApp strengthen its market position post-merger​
4. Debt Funding: DocsApp also raised Rs 17.5 crore in debt funding from Bessemer Venture Partners Trust in 2020.

Shareholding, Growth, and Revenue:

DocsApp has seen significant growth since its inception in 2015, primarily due to its innovative approach to telemedicine and its ability to raise funding from reputable investors. After merging with MediBuddy, the combined entity has expanded its user base and offerings, establishing itself as one of India’s top digital healthcare platforms.

1. Shareholding: While specific details about shareholding are not widely publicized, the major stakeholders in DocsApp include the founding team (Satish Kannan and Enbasekar D), venture capital investors such as Bessemer Venture Partners, Rebright Partners, and JAFCO Asia Tech Fund. These investors have backed DocsApp through various funding rounds, helping the platform expand its services and reach​

2. Growth: Since merging with MediBuddy in 2020, DocsApp has scaled rapidly, serving over 30 million users across India. The platform's strong growth trajectory is attributed to its ability to offer not just telemedicine consultations but also medicine delivery, lab tests, and health insurance services. The company’s expansion strategy focuses on increasing access to healthcare, especially in remote and underserved regions of India​

3. Revenue: DocsApp generates revenue through several streams:

   • Consultation Fees: Charges for virtual doctor consultations.
   • Subscription Models: Offering various plans for regular users.
   • Medicine Delivery & Lab Tests: Additional revenue comes from facilitating the delivery of medicines and lab tests.
   • Health Insurance: The merger with MediBuddy introduced a new revenue stream from managing health insurance policies and benefits​

Competitors:

DocsApp operates in a highly competitive Telemedicine and HealthTech space. Key competitors include:

1. Practo: One of the largest competitors in the Indian digital health market, offering telemedicine consultations, health records management, and appointment bookings with doctors. Practo has a significant market share, providing a comprehensive health-tech platform​

2. 1mg: Known for its medicine delivery and health services, 1mg also offers telemedicine consultations, and has a large user base. It competes directly with DocsApp in terms of health service delivery and partnerships with pharmacies​

3. Mfine: Another key competitor, Mfine provides AI-powered telemedicine services. It partners with top hospitals and doctors to offer medical consultations, diagnostics, and lab test bookings online​

4. CallHealth: A comprehensive health-tech platform offering doctor consultations, diagnostic tests, and home healthcare services, CallHealth competes by providing a wide range of services, similar to DocsApp​

5. Meddo: A platform offering teleconsultations, diagnostics, and home healthcare, Meddo competes by providing specialized services and personalized care, targeting both urban and rural areas.

Future Plans:

DocsApp, after its merger with MediBuddy, has exciting future plans to further expand and enhance its healthcare services. Key focus areas include:

1. Geographic Expansion: DocsApp plans to extend its services to even more remote and underserved regions of India, improving access to quality healthcare nationwide, especially in rural areas where traditional healthcare infrastructure is limited​

2. Enhanced Service Offerings: The company aims to integrate more advanced technologies, such as AI and machine learning, to improve diagnostics, personalize treatment plans, and predict health risks. This would help in streamlining healthcare delivery and enhancing patient outcomes​

3. Expansion of Partnerships: DocsApp intends to form more partnerships with hospitals, healthcare providers, and insurance companies to strengthen its integrated healthcare ecosystem. This would enable users to access not just doctor consultations but a wide range of services including diagnostics, health insurance, and preventive care​

4. Focus on Health Insurance: Following the merger, DocsApp is also focusing on expanding its health insurance offerings to provide a complete package of healthcare services, including access to affordable insurance products​

FAQ:

1. What services does DocsApp offer? DocsApp provides online doctor consultations, medicine delivery, lab test bookings, and health insurance services. It connects patients with specialized doctors in various fields, including dermatology, pediatrics, and psychiatry.

2. How does DocsApp work? Users can download the DocsApp mobile app, select the type of consultation they need, choose a doctor, and pay for the service. The consultation happens through text, audio, or video call. DocsApp also helps users book lab tests and get prescribed medicines delivered to their doorstep.

3. Is DocsApp available across India? Yes, DocsApp is available across India, with a special focus on providing healthcare services in both urban and rural areas, including underserved regions where access to quality healthcare is limited.

4. What are the payment options on DocsApp? DocsApp offers multiple payment options, including credit/debit cards, online banking, and digital wallets. Users can also opt for subscription plans to avail multiple consultations at discounted rates.

5. Does DocsApp provide health insurance? Yes, following its merger with MediBuddy, DocsApp now provides health insurance services, allowing users to manage their health insurance policies and access benefits through the platform.

6. How can I consult with a doctor on DocsApp? To consult with a doctor, simply download the DocsApp app, select the required specialty, choose a doctor, and initiate the consultation. You can chat with the doctor, or opt for a video or voice call depending on your preference.

Latest News

DocsApp, a telemedicine platform, has officially transitioned into MediBuddy, its parent company. This merger was announced to provide a unified, robust healthcare service, allowing DocsApp's users to access a broader range of services under the MediBuddy umbrella. The new platform integrates over 90,000 doctors and 7,000 hospitals across India, ensuring comprehensive healthcare solutions, especially for underserved Tier 2 and 3 cities