Latest news with #Complement1
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
WhiteHat Jr founder Karan Bajaj returns with new venture: A look at his education, career, new startup and more
WhiteHat Jr founder, Karan Bajaj, is back in the spotlight with his latest startup, Complement1, a healthcare platform focused on improving cancer care through personalised lifestyle coaching. This marks a major shift in his career from the tech-education sector to the healthcare industry. Let's take a closer look at Karan Bajaj's education, career journey, and his inspiring new venture. Karan Bajaj's New Startup Complement1: A Fresh Chapter in Healthcare After stepping away from his role at WhiteHat Jr, Karan Bajaj has now launched Complement1, a cancer care startup based in the United States. The company recently raised $16 million in seed funding, led by Owl Ventures and Blume Ventures, along with support from other undisclosed investors. Complement1 is designed to offer tech-enabled, evidence-backed, and personalised coaching for cancer patients and individuals at high risk. The goal is to help them adopt and maintain lifestyle changes—like improved nutrition, physical activity, and mind-body practices—guided by dedicated CoActive Coaches. According to Bajaj, "Lifestyle change is one of the most powerful, yet often overlooked tools in cancer care." His vision is to make clinically recommended routines part of daily life for patients, improving both their health outcomes and overall well-being. Complement1's Promise: Technology Meets Compassion in Cancer Support The platform uses scientific research from multiple global studies and meta-analyses. According to the company: Patients using Complement1 experienced 37% fewer side effects, 18% less pain, and 27% better sleep. Over 90% of users stick to the routine, a rare achievement in lifestyle-based healthcare. The platform also aims to cut cancer-related healthcare costs by up to 30%, making it a valuable addition for insurance companies, employers, and care providers. In a world where nearly 1 in 2 Americans may face cancer in their lifetime, Complement1 offers hope through education, coaching, and behavioural changes. Karan Bajaj: From Tech-Education to Holistic Health Early Life and Education Karan Bajaj was born in India and raised in a family with a military background. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM,), Bangalore—one of India's top business schools. Professional Journey Before becoming the WhiteHat Jr founder, Bajaj worked with some of the world's leading companies, like: Procter & Gamble The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Kraft Foods He later moved into the media sector, becoming CEO of Discovery Networks in 2016. In that role, he headed Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, and Discovery Kids in South Asia until 2019. The WhiteHat Jr Success Story In 2018, Karan Bajaj founded WhiteHat Jr, an online learning platform that focused on teaching coding and maths to children. The startup quickly gained popularity and was acquired by BYJU'S in 2020 for a whopping $300 million. Post-acquisition, Bajaj led BYJU'S International Division, launching educational programmes for students in the US, Brazil, and Mexico. Under his leadership, Byju's FutureSchool introduced a wide variety of courses, including music, English, fine arts, and science. He left BYJU'S in August 2021. A Talented Author with a Passion for Spiritual Exploration Apart from being a successful entrepreneur, Karan Bajaj is also a published author. His novels blend elements of spirituality, adventure, and self-discovery. Notable Books by Karan Bajaj: Keep Off The Grass (2008): A psychedelic journey of a Yale graduate exploring India. Johnny Gone Down (2010): A gripping thriller about a man's transformation through bizarre life events. The Seeker (2015): A tale of a Wall Street banker who leaves everything to become a yogi in the Himalayas. The Yoga of Max's Discontent: Reviewed by the Chicago Tribune and other notable publications. Bajaj's books have been shortlisted for awards like the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award and Indiaplaza Golden Quill. Karan Bajaj's wife and kids Karan is married to Kerry Bajaj, who is a child sleep expert. The couple have two daughters What's Next for Karan Bajaj? With Complement1, the WhiteHat Jr founder has taken a bold step into the world of healthcare and lifestyle coaching. His journey from engineering to entrepreneurship, from education to holistic cancer care, reflects his versatility and vision. By combining technology, clinical research, and personal coaching, Karan Bajaj aims to transform cancer care, making his new startup Complement1 one to watch. Karan Bajaj's inspiring story showcases how one individual can impact multiple industries—from education and tech to healthcare and wellness. With Complement1, he is not only returning to entrepreneurship but also making a meaningful difference in people's lives. As the WhiteHat Jr founder embarks on this new path, all eyes are on how Complement1 will grow and revolutionise cancer care across the globe. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here.
Entrepreneur
15-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
WhiteHat Jr Founder Karan Bajaj Launches Healthtech Venture Complement 1 with USD 16 Mn Round
The seed round was led by Owl Ventures and Blume Ventures, marking a strong vote of confidence in Complement 1's mission to personalise cancer care through lifestyle medicine. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Karan Bajaj, co-founder of WhiteHat Jr, has launched his latest venture, Complement 1, a healthtech startup focused on integrating personalised lifestyle medicine into cancer care. Emerging from stealth, the startup has secured USD 16 million in seed funding led by Owl Ventures and Blume Ventures. Complement 1 has introduced what it calls the first tech-enabled, clinically validated lifestyle modification platform tailored for cancer patients and high-risk individuals. The platform delivers personalised, daily guidance through one-on-one support from "CoActive Coaches," focusing on evidence-based interventions such as nutrition, physical activity, and stress management. "Lifestyle change is one of the most powerful yet underused tools in cancer care," said Karan Bajaj, CEO and Co-founder of Complement 1. "Every oncologist will tell you patients need more support incorporating clinically recommended physical activity, nutrition, and mind-body practices. We've cracked the code on daily engagement with personalised, compassionate coaching—helping patients make meaningful, lasting improvements during and beyond treatment." The platform leverages data from multiple meta-analyses demonstrating the impact of behavioural interventions on cancer outcomes. According to Complement 1, its clinical trials reveal users experienced 37% fewer treatment side effects, 18% less pain, and 27% better sleep, with over 90% adherence rates. It also claims to reduce cancer-related healthcare costs by up to 30% for health plans, employers, and care providers. Research shared by the company highlights that nearly one in two Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Lifestyle modifications, it says, can cut cancer recurrence by 35% and mortality by 37%, while enhancing overall quality of life. The fresh funding will be channelled into further developing and scaling the platform, with the mission to fill a critical gap in conventional cancer treatment by offering holistic, lifestyle-based, evidence-backed support. Bajaj previously founded WhiteHat Jr in 2018, which was acquired by BYJU'S for USD 300 million in 2020. After leading BYJU'S international division post-acquisition, he stepped down in August 2021. Complement 1 marks his return to entrepreneurship, this time with a healthcare focus.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
BluSmart fleet on the block, HCL-Foxconn semicon JV
BluSmart fleet on the block, HCL-Foxconn semicon JV Want this newsletter delivered to your inbox? Also in the letter: BluSmart lenders put EVs for sale to recover dues; Uber, Evera potential takers But first: EVs up for sale: Who's taking them? Delhi-based Evera has added 300 of these EVs to its fleet and is in talks to lease another 800-1,000 vehicles. Uber-backed Everest Fleet is also exploring a deal, but is yet to finalise one. Also Read: New chip on the block: UP will host HCL-Foxconn JV Driving the news: Tell me more: Making progress: These include: Tata Electronics' fab in Dholera Micron's assembly, testing, marking, and packaging (ATMP) unit in Sanand CG Powers' outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) facility in Sanand Kaynes' OSAT in Sanand Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test (TSAT) facility in Assam. Also Read: Deeptech startups snagged $324 million in first four months of the year Major deals and investors: Netradyne: $90M from Qualcomm Ventures, Point72 Ventures SpotDraft: $54M from Trident Capital Infinite Uptime: $35M from Tiger Global, GSR Ventures Tonbo Imaging: $21M from Florintree What's more: Other Top Stories By Our Reporters Capillary Tech buys assets of customer loyalty services firm Kognitiv: Karnataka HC rejects PhonePe plea in cyber fraud case: Karnataka eyes gig fund rollout by August end: Ixigo Q4 net profit doubles, operating revenue up 72%: Complement 1 raises $16 million: Global Picks We Are Reading Lenders and lessors are planning to sell EVs on the BluSmart fleet to recover their dues. This and more in today's ETtech Morning Dispatch.■ Adobe CEO with ETtech■ Karnataka gig fund■ Capillary Tech buys Kognitiv assetsLenders and leasing firms are looking to sell 1,500-2,000 electric vehicles (EVs) that were part of BluSmart's fleet, following the ride-hailing platform's suspension of operations last Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (Ireda) said on Wednesday it has filed an insolvency petition against Gensol Engineering for defaulting on Rs 510 crore in had extended loans to Gensol for EV purchases. However, a Sebi interim order in April revealed that Gensol and BluSmart cofounders Anmol Singh Jaggi and Puneet Singh Jaggi diverted those funds for personal Non-Banking Financial Companies, investment platforms, climate-focused lenders, and even high-net-worth individuals are now looking to offload the EVs they financed or leased to BluSmart. Some have already taken possession of the is set to get its sixth semiconductor facility under the India Semiconductor Mission, after the Cabinet greenlit a Rs 3,706 crore plant to be built in Jewar, Uttar up as a joint venture between HCL Group and Foxconn, the plant, which will start production in 2027, is projected to create 2,000 jobs. It will produce display driver chips for mobile phones, laptops, automobiles, PCs, and other March, ET reported the HCL-Foxconn joint venture was also in discussions with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Taiwanese giant CTCI to bring on board an EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) partner for its outsourced semiconductor assembly and testing (OSAT) recently approved semiconductor facility takes the count of such units in the country to six. Five of them, cleared over the past few years, are in advanced stages of investments in India surged in the first four months of 2025 , reaching $324 million across 35 deals, more than double the $156 million raised from 21 deals during the same period in 2024, according to Venture Intelligence commercial applications have boosted investor interest in deeptech startups. Government support for the sector has further strengthened the funding environment. However, growing interest has intensified competition, with smaller players now vying alongside major Reddy, founder, Capillary TechnologiesThe deal will provide Capillary Tech access to over 30 enterprise clients of Kognitiv, including leading hotel companies in Australia and New Zealand, the UK, the Middle East, and the US, the company said in a news release.'Confidentiality must coexist with accountability,' the court said, dismissing PhonePe's plea challenging cyber police's authority to seek information about its state government has sent the Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill 2024 to Raj Bhavan, requesting the issuance of an Travenues Technology, the parent company of online travel aggregator Ixigo, experienced a 128% year-on-year increase in net profit to Rs 16.7 crore, while operating revenue surged 72% to Rs 284 Jr founder Karan Bajaj's new healthtech startup, Complement 1, raised $16 million in a seed funding round led by Owl Ventures and Blume Ventures.■ US warns against using Huawei chips 'anywhere in the world' ( FT ■ Elon Musk's Grok AI can't stop talking about 'white genocide' ( Wired ■ Cisco systems boosts outlook after posting higher profit, sales ( WSJ
Mint
14-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Karan Bajaj raises funds for a new healthtech venture, years after $300 mn WhiteHat Jr exit
Four years after selling WhiteHat Jr to Byju's in a high-profile deal worth $300 million, founder Karan Bajaj has raised $16 million in seed funding for his new healthtech startup, Complement 1. The round was led by Blume Ventures and Owl Ventures, with participation from several angel investors, according to a statement by the company on Wednesday. According to Bajaj, the platform seeks to address a gap in cancer care by helping patients adopt clinically recommended lifestyle changes. 'Every oncologist will tell you patients need more support incorporating physical activity, nutrition and mind-body practices," said Bajaj, who serves as chief executive officer and co-founder. 'We've focused on daily engagement through personalized coaching to support lasting improvements during and after treatment." Targeting cancer care With the new funding, Complement 1 plans to expand its coaching operations in the U.S., strengthen its AI engine, and partner with cancer centres, healthcare insurance providers, and employers. The company also intends to invest in enhancing the digital experience for both patients and coaches. Also Read: K Balakrishnan's Kriscore Capital raises ₹50 crore in commitments for new micro-VC fund, targets early-stage startups Founded in January 2024, Complement 1 offers a personalized lifestyle modification platform aimed at cancer patients, high-risk individuals, and survivors. The programme includes physical activity, nutrition, and somatic practices tailored to cancer type and stage, delivered via 1:1 'CoActive" coaching. The company also uses AI to drive personalization and support long-term adherence to the programme, it said. This is Bajaj's first startup since his exit from WhiteHat Jr in August 2021. The founder exited from edtech when the sector was at its peak, commanding high valuations and massive investor interest. Byju's acquired the firm among a number of other acquisitions it made to speed up growth. However, Byju's struggles began after a sudden fall in demand post-pandemic. Whitehat Jr. was among the first of its acquisitions to sour. In a recent media interaction, Byju Raveendran shared that the 'most encouragement for an acquisition" he received was for Whitehat Jr from its investors. Byju's investors and its founders have been at odds for over three years, even as the entity, once valued at $22 billion, filed for bankruptcy last year. Following the sale, Bajaj took a sabbatical that included travelling through Costa Rica and writing The Freedom Manifesto, a book published by HarperCollins India. '(I) caught up on the missed time with my daughters from the CEO & startup founding years as they attended a forest school in the Costa Rica mountains," said Bajaj, in a post on his LinkedIn profile. Also Read: Code junkies make way for AI pros as skills landscape shifts To be sure, this was not Bajaj's first retreat to the mountains. Back in 2012, he had also spent time in the Himalayas studying meditation and later authored The Seeker, a novel based on those experiences. Later in 2019, he founded Mumbai-based WhiteHat Jr, which he sold two years later to Byju's. Now, Complement 1 is being built out of the US. The shift from edtech to healthtech Bajaj's return marks a shift from edtech to healthtech, with the startup aiming to integrate lifestyle medicine into the broader oncology ecosystem. 'Complement 1 is creating a new model to improve global cancer outcomes. We were drawn to the combination of personalized technology and human-led coaching," said Amit Patel, managing director at Owl Ventures. Also Read: Another Indian fintech unicorn taps bankers for a $400-million IPO In India, too, investors as well as conglomerates such as the Reliance Group and Tata Group are jumping on the opportunity to invest in technology-driven detection and treatment of cancer as the incidence of the disease rises every year.
