Bang for the Bucks?

As homegrown e-healthcare platform providers get their business models right, investors feel encouraged to pump in the needed dollars.

The healthcare vertical has seen much traction and consequently a high level of interest from investors. This is a strong indicator of viability of the business models that various e-healthcare players have put forth. In the last couple of years, there have been several multi-million dollar investments into the segment, with at least one player attracting close to Rs 200 crore of funding in a round.

What makes these homegrown healthcare e-marketplaces so attractive to investors? How do they stand out against some of the global players?

According to Saurabh Arora, CEO, Lybrate, local apps are at greater advantage because of the local knowledge they have. They understand the consumer psyche, behavior and regulations in far greater depth than their global rivals. For instance in the case of healthcare, things have to be very customized to the Indian audience. Healthcare system is very different outside India and the problems here are unique and those who belong here have deeper insights about it. So the solutions they offer are in accordance to that. The benefit of local understanding definitely gives an edge to local app developers.

And what would be some of the growth catalysts going forward?

Further development of the mobile payment systems would certainly be one. While the recent issuance of payment bank licenses by the Reserve Bank of India would give more teeth to mobile payments, carrier billing of apps would also go a long way in encouraging usage of the apps, feel the stakeholders.

The growing proliferation of mobile broadband networks as well as that of the smartphones is also a big positive. When it comes to elderly care, infant care or care of specially-abled individuals, the reliability of devices plays a very important role, according to Bengaluru-based healthcare platform provider Qikwell.