After a decade at the helm, Sahni exits operational role to back next-gen founders, hinting at new ventures in healthcare and beyond.
Deepak Sahni, founder of healthtech platform Healthians, has officially stepped away from all executive responsibilities, marking the end of a key chapter in the company’s evolution. He will continue as a shareholder, focusing instead on new healthcare ventures and angel investing.
The move, announced via LinkedIn, follows Sahni’s transition to executive chairman in November 2023—paving the way for Nishant Singhal, former COO, to take over as CEO in July 2025.
From Startup Builder to Startup Backer
Sahni’s departure aligns with his broader shift toward startup investment and incubation.
- Earlier this month, he committed INR 100 Cr (~$12 Mn) to support early-stage startups led by young Indian entrepreneurs.
- He’s already backed ventures such as Handpickd, Beanly, Indian Sneaker Fest, Gignaati AI, among others—with INR 4.5 Cr deployed so far.
- “Going forward, my focus remains the same: to solve deeper problems in healthcare, support brilliant founders, and build new ventures with even more clarity and courage,” Sahni said.
Is this the beginning of India’s next wave of founder-turned-investors fueling Bharat’s innovation engine?
Healthians: A Decade of Diagnostics at Scale
Founded in 2014, Healthians pioneered at-home diagnostic testing, growing into one of India’s most recognizable healthtech brands.
- Operates across 250 cities with over 2,500 phlebotomists and a network of automated labs
- Offers testing, doctor consultations, supplements, and genetic screening
- Claims to have completed over 100 Mn+ tests since launch
Financially, the startup reported:
- 8% revenue growth in FY25 to INR 263 Cr
- Losses narrowed by 89%, from INR 45 Cr in FY24 to INR 5 Cr in FY25 (Tofler)
The company is reportedly in the midst of a new investment round, with existing investor Westbridge Capital acquiring additional stake—possibly from Sahni’s partial exit.
Founder-Led to Professional-Led
Sahni’s decision mirrors a broader trend: founders handing over the reins to professional teams as companies mature.
Just last week, Deepinder Goyal of Eternal did the same, indicating that India’s startup ecosystem is entering a new phase—professionalised leadership with founder-driven capital backing new ideas.
For Healthians, this could mean a sharper focus on operational efficiency, expansion, and product diversification, as the company gears up for its next growth phase under new leadership.
TL;DR:
Deepak Sahni, founder of Healthians, has exited his operational role to focus on launching new ventures and angel investing. He has committed INR 100 Cr to back early-stage Indian startups and has already begun deploying capital. Healthians, meanwhile, continues scaling under new CEO Nishant Singhal.
AI Summary:
- Deepak Sahni exits executive role, stays on as shareholder
- INR 100 Cr committed to invest in early-stage Indian startups
- Healthians runs at-home testing in 250 cities, 100 Mn+ tests
- FY25 revenue at INR 263 Cr; losses narrowed by 89%
- Company reportedly raising new funds; Westbridge ups stake
