Episode Breakdown:

In the third episode of LeadSquared Podcast, Prashant Singh sits down with Siddhartha Nihalani – Co-founder of Practo, one of India’s most influential healthtech startups.

They cover a lot of ground. What does it take to build trust in a space as sensitive and complex as healthcare? How do you convince doctors to embrace a digital platform? And how do you help patients feel confident enough to move beyond their family physician?

Siddhartha dives into the challenges of building for two very different audiences—doctors and patients—and why credibility, not just technology, was key to Practo’s early adoption.

They also explore how digital healthcare in India has evolved, why shifting mindsets is harder than building software, and what it really takes to scale in a trust-driven industry.

1. The Origin Story: How Practo Began

1:20 – 3:10 : From a college dorm in Surathkal to India’s first doctor discovery tool—Siddhartha shares how a side project turned into a healthcare platform.

2. From Product to Purpose

6:04 – 7:24 : Practo’s journey from a scheduling app to a trusted healthcare navigation platform for millions.

3. Going Global

10:03 – 11:18 : Expanding into the Middle East, acquiring Insta Health, and enabling cashless care with UAE’s insurance systems.

4. AI & Virtual Care

21:00 – 22:34 : How Practo uses AI to assist doctors, audit consultations, and build towards safer, smarter healthcare.

5. Building Trust at Scale

23:03 – 24:28 : Practo’s values-first approach: putting patients and doctors above short-term wins.

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