In the fast-paced world of startups, few success stories stand out more than that of Shashank N.D., the co-founder and CEO of Practo. At just 20 years old, Shashank embarked on a mission to transform healthcare in India and beyond. Today, Practo is a leading healthcare platform, connecting millions of patients with doctors, pharmacies, and diagnostic services.
Shashank N.D. grew up in Karnataka, India, and pursued engineering at the prestigious National Institute of Technology (NIT), Suratkal. His technical education equipped him with the skills to tackle complex problems, a foundation that would prove invaluable in his entrepreneurial journey. At NIT, Shashank met Abhinav Lal, his future co-founder, and together they began dreaming of creating something impactful. Their shared ambition to “build something the world needs” laid the groundwork for Practo.
The Birth of Practo
The idea for Practo emerged from a personal challenge. When Shashank’s father needed knee surgery, the family struggled to find a reliable doctor and manage medical records. This experience revealed a critical gap in the healthcare system: the lack of accessible, digitized medical records and a seamless way to connect patients with doctors. Determined to address this, Shashank N.D. and Abhinav co-founded Practo in 2008 to help “mankind live healthier, longer lives.”
Practo began with Practo Ray, a cloud-based software that helped doctors manage their clinics efficiently. Operating out of Shashank’s grandparents’ home in JP Nagar, Bangalore, the team worked tirelessly, coding for 14 days straight to launch the product. They later introduced Practo Search, a platform that allowed patients to find and book appointments with doctors. These innovations addressed key pain points, making healthcare more accessible for patients and more manageable for doctors.
Growth and Expansion
Practo’s growth was remarkable. By 2015, the company operated in 35 cities across India and had plans to expand to 100 cities and 10 countries, including Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Brazil, and regions in Latin America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Practo’s client base grew to include 2 lakh doctors, 10,000 hospitals, and 5,000 diagnostic centers, establishing it as a dominant player in healthcare technology.
The company’s success attracted significant investment. By 2015, Practo had raised $124 million from investors like Sequoia Capital, Matrix Partners, and Google Capital, validating its potential. Over the years, Practo raised a total of $228 million across nine funding rounds, with the first round in 2013. This funding fueled its expansion and innovation, enabling Practo to scale its operations and introduce new services.
Recent Developments and Achievements
As of 2025, Practo continues to thrive. In FY24, the company reported a 22% revenue increase, reaching Rs 240 crore, with a Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) exceeding Rs 3,500 crore. Practo achieved adjusted EBITDA profitability in Q4 FY24 and is on track to reach full break-even by FY25, a significant milestone for a health-tech startup.
Practo has evolved into an integrated healthcare provider, offering teleconsultations, online medicine delivery, doorstep diagnostic tests, and 100 brick-and-mortar clinics for elective surgeries. The platform connects the entire healthcare ecosystem—patients, doctors, pharmacies, diagnostics, clinics, and hospitals—making it a one-stop solution for healthcare needs. Shashank recently highlighted a $100 billion healthcare opportunity in India, underscoring his ambitious vision for the industry.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
Building Practo was not without challenges. Shashank faced difficulties in creating responsive products in areas with low Internet penetration, ensuring reliable doctor and clinic information, and scaling infrastructure to meet growing demand. Despite these hurdles, his hands-on approach—visiting thousands of doctors and hospitals to gather feedback—helped Practo build trust and transparency with stakeholders.
Shashank’s advice to entrepreneurs reflects his experience: focus on a clear vision, prioritize usage, solve tough problems, hire top talent, think globally, seek mentors, build great products, choose supportive investors, and enjoy the journey. His emphasis on having fun underscores his belief in finding joy in the entrepreneurial process.
Recognition and Awards
Shashank’s contributions have earned him widespread recognition. He was featured in Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list in 2015 and Fortune’s “40 Under 40” list in 2022, highlighting his influence as a young leader in healthcare. These accolades reflect his impact on the industry and his ability to inspire others.
Shashank N.D.’s journey with Practo is a story of vision, perseverance, and innovation. From a small startup in Bangalore to a leading healthcare platform, Practo has transformed how millions access healthcare. As Shashank leads Practo toward FY25 break-even and global expansion, his story inspires aspiring entrepreneurs and underscores the power of technology to change lives. With a $100 billion healthcare opportunity in India, Shashank’s vision for accessible, technology-driven healthcare is just beginning to unfold.
