Biography of Saurabh Kochhar: Founder & CEO of Uncover Wellness, Meddo Health, Doxper & Foodpanda
Story of Saurabh Kochhar: A Visionary Leader in the Healthcare & Foodtech Sectors
Saurabh Kochhar is a prominent figure in the Indian startup
ecosystem, known for his leadership roles in both healthcare and foodtech
industries. Saurabh Kochhar is a distinguished entrepreneur with a track record
of founding and leading successful ventures. He currently serves as the Founder
and CEO of UNCOVER Wellness, a company he started in December 2022, which
focuses on holistic health and wellness solutions. Saurabh’s entrepreneurial
journey includes several notable ventures, such as Doxper, a health tech
company offering digital healthcare solutions, and Meddo Health, which provides
a comprehensive health platform. His previous role as the Co-Founder and CEO of
foodpanda India from February 2015 to June 2018 highlights his significant
contribution to the food delivery industry in India. Additionally, he founded
Printvenue, an online printing solutions provider, and served as its Chairman
until January 2017.
Educational Excellence
Saurabh’s educational background underscores his leadership
capabilities and strategic thinking. He completed his Post Graduate Diploma in
Management (PGDM) at the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta (IIM
Calcutta) from 2007 to 2009, where he was ranked first in his batch based on
comprehensive selection criteria. During his time at IIM Calcutta, he also
played a crucial role as the Coordinator of Sponsorships and Public Relations
Cell. His academic journey included an MBA exchange program at SKEMA Business
School in 2008. Prior to his MBA, Saurabh earned a Bachelor of Technology
(B.Tech) in Electronics & Communication from the Indian Institute of
Technology, Roorkee (IIT Roorkee), where he also served as the Coordinator of
the Students Incubator Cell.
Early Career and Professional Development
Saurabh Kochhar’s career began with his role at Oracle as an
Associate Applications Engineer from July 2006 to June 2007. This position laid
the groundwork for his future endeavors in technology and business. Following
his time at Oracle, he joined McKinsey & Company as an Associate from July
2009 to July 2012. At McKinsey, he gained valuable experience in strategy and
operations, which significantly contributed to his later entrepreneurial
ventures.
Founding and Leading Ventures
In June 2012, Saurabh founded Printvenue, which became a
leading online platform for custom printing solutions. His successful
leadership in this venture led him to co-found foodpanda India in February
2015, where he played a pivotal role in expanding the company’s reach and
influence in the Indian food delivery market. Under his leadership, foodpanda
India grew substantially, demonstrating his ability to scale businesses
effectively.
Transitioning to Foodpanda: Expanding the Horizons of Food
Delivery
Kochhar's journey took a major leap when he was appointed as
the India CEO and Chief Business Officer of Global Operations at Foodpanda, a
leading online food ordering platform. Foodpanda, backed by Rocket Internet,
was operating in 39 countries, but lacked a dedicated chief executive for its
India operations until Kochhar's appointment. His role was crucial as he was
responsible for consolidating Foodpanda’s operations in India and driving
growth in other markets. Under his leadership, the platform expanded its reach
significantly, covering 12,000 restaurants across 200 cities in India.
Restructuring and Integration: Merging TastyKhana and
JustEat India
One of the critical tasks that Kochhar undertook at
Foodpanda was the integration of its acquired brands, TastyKhana and JustEat
India. These platforms were well-established in their own right, but under
Kochhar’s strategic direction, they were merged into Foodpanda. This
consolidation allowed Foodpanda to streamline its operations and offer a more
unified service to its customers. Kochhar also focused on restructuring the
sales force, introducing target markets, and improving marketing partnerships,
both within India and on a global scale. This strategic realignment was
essential for maintaining Foodpanda’s competitive edge, particularly with the
impending entry of Zomato into the food ordering space.
Challenges and Competition: Navigating the Foodtech
Landscape
Kochhar’s tenure at Foodpanda was marked by intense
competition, particularly with Zomato, a restaurant search platform that was on
the verge of launching its own food ordering feature. Despite the challenges,
Kochhar was determined to position Foodpanda as a leader in the foodtech space.
He focused on leveraging the platform’s existing strengths while also exploring
new avenues for growth. His approach was holistic, aiming not just at short-term
gains but also at building a sustainable business model that could withstand
the pressures of a highly competitive market.
The Move to Healthcare: Founding Meddo and Revolutionizing
Outpatient Care
After his successful stint at Foodpanda, Kochhar shifted his
focus to the healthcare sector, founding Meddo, a private end-to-end clinic
chain. At Meddo, Kochhar’s vision was to create a comprehensive outpatient care
organization that could bring together the fragmented players in the healthcare
market. His goal was to integrate various services like insurance, healthcare,
and subscriptions into a single package, making healthcare more accessible and
streamlined for patients. This approach was revolutionary in a market that was
traditionally fragmented and difficult to navigate for patients.
Innovations in Health Tech
Saurabh’s interest in health tech led him to co-found Doxper
and Meddo Health. Doxper, launched in June 2018, provides digital healthcare
solutions that enhance patient care and streamline medical processes.
Similarly, Meddo Health, also established in June 2018, offers a comprehensive
health platform that integrates various healthcare services. These ventures
reflect Saurabh’s commitment to leveraging technology to improve healthcare
delivery.
Biography of Saurabh Kochhar: Founder & CEO of Uncover Wellness, Meddo Health , Doxper & Foodpanda/Success story of Saurabh Kochhar/Entrepreneur/Investor
Ongoing Impact and Future Prospects
With a strong foundation in technology and business, Saurabh
Kochhar continues to make significant contributions through his various ventures.
His leadership in UNCOVER Wellness, Doxper, and Meddo Health showcases his
ability to innovate and drive growth across different sectors. His career
trajectory highlights his dedication to improving consumer experiences and
leveraging technology to address pressing challenges in health, wellness, and
beyond.
Addressing Key Challenges in Indian Healthcare
In his role at Meddo, Kochhar identified two major
challenges in the Indian healthcare system: the quality of care and the
timeliness of care. He emphasized that improving these aspects was crucial for
any healthcare startup aiming to make a significant impact. Kochhar’s strategy
involved not just improving the infrastructure of clinics but also ensuring
that the services provided were of the highest quality. He believed that by
addressing these issues, Meddo could set new standards in outpatient care and
become a trusted name in the healthcare sector.
The Importance of Partnerships: Building a Strong Foundation
for Startups
Throughout his career, Kochhar has consistently emphasized
the importance of having a strong co-founder or business partner. He believes
that having a confidante who shares your vision and can provide support is
crucial for the success of any startup. This philosophy has guided him in his
own ventures, where he has always valued collaboration and teamwork. According
to Kochhar, the right partnership can help a startup navigate the challenges of
the market, make better decisions, and ultimately achieve its goals.
Meddo’s Mission: Integrating Healthcare Services for Better
Patient Outcomes
At Meddo, Kochhar’s mission is to create a seamless patient
experience by integrating various healthcare services under one roof. His
vision is to move away from the traditional model of fragmented care, where
patients have to visit multiple providers for different services. Instead,
Meddo aims to offer a comprehensive solution where patients can access all the
care they need in one place. This approach not only improves patient
convenience but also enhances the overall quality of care, as it allows for better
coordination between different healthcare providers.
The Role of Technology in Transforming Healthcare
Technology plays a central role in Kochhar’s vision for
Meddo. He believes that by leveraging the latest advancements in healthcare
technology, Meddo can offer services that are more efficient, accurate, and
accessible. This includes everything from electronic health records that can be
easily shared between providers to telemedicine services that allow patients to
consult with doctors remotely. By integrating technology into every aspect of
its operations, Meddo aims to set new benchmarks for what is possible in
outpatient care.
Capital Investment and Scaling Operations
Scaling a healthcare business requires significant capital
investment, and Kochhar has been strategic in securing the necessary funds to
expand Meddo’s operations. He understands that for Meddo to achieve its goals,
it must be able to open new clinics, hire skilled staff, and invest in the
latest medical technologies. By carefully managing these investments, Kochhar
has been able to scale Meddo’s operations while maintaining the high standards
of care that are central to its mission.
Leadership and Vision: Guiding Meddo into the Future
Kochhar’s leadership style is characterized by a clear
vision and a commitment to excellence. He is not afraid to make bold decisions,
whether it’s restructuring a sales force or launching a new line of business.
His ability to see the bigger picture and align his team around a shared goal
has been a key factor in the success of both Foodpanda and Meddo. As Meddo
continues to grow, Kochhar’s leadership will be crucial in navigating the
challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
A Legacy of Innovation and Impact
Saurabh Kochhar’s journey from McKinsey to Meddo is a
testament to his ability to adapt, innovate, and lead in diverse industries.
Whether it’s transforming the food delivery landscape with Foodpanda or
revolutionizing outpatient care with Meddo, Kochhar has consistently
demonstrated a knack for identifying opportunities and turning them into
successful ventures. His legacy is one of impact, not just in terms of business
success, but in the tangible improvements he has brought to the lives of
countless consumers and patients. As he continues to lead Meddo, there’s no
doubt that Kochhar will remain a prominent figure in India’s startup ecosystem.
Timeline for Saurabh Kochhar’s story
2006-2007:
Associate Applications Engineer at Oracle.
2007-2009:
Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) at IIM Calcutta.
2008:
MBA exchange program at SKEMA Business School.
2009-2012:
Associate at McKinsey & Company.
June 2012:
Founded Printvenue, an online printing solutions provider.
February 2015 - June 2018:
Co-Founder and CEO of foodpanda India, leading its
expansion.
June 2018:
Co-founded Doxper and Meddo Health, focusing on digital
healthcare solutions and comprehensive health platforms.
December 2022:
Founded UNCOVER Wellness, specializing in holistic health
and wellness solutions.
2024:
Continues to lead and innovate in healthcare through UNCOVER
Wellness, Meddo Health, and Doxper.
