“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu
A decade ago, Medprime Technologies embarked on a journey that began as a humble student project, driven by curiosity and a passion for innovation. Today, it stands as a trailblazer in digital microscopy and healthcare innovation, redefining how technology can enhance medical diagnostics and education. This decade-long journey has been defined by pivotal moments and unrelenting perseverance. The founding team – Samrat, Greeshma, Mahesh and Binil, —recall this period as a blend of excitement, challenges, and profound learning. Their individual stories provide a kaleidoscope of lessons in entrepreneurship, marked by moments of humility, triumph and camaraderie.
The InfuCheck Pivot: A Leap of Faith
Medprime’s origin story began with InfuCheck, an infusion monitoring system. At the time, it seemed like the perfect product to launch. Yet, during pilot trials, the founders discovered a disconnect between their vision and market needs. The team made the tough decision to pivot toward digital microscopy, a leap into uncharted territory.
Mahesh reflects,“InfuCheck was high-volume, low-margin. It demanded a substantial initial investment and had significant regulatory hurdles. Meanwhile, the prototype of CILIKA—a portable microscope that Samrat had developed as part of his M.Tech thesis—showed immense potential. That first order for CILIKA was a defining moment. It validated our vision and set the course for Medprime’s future.”
The Early Years: Incubation and Discovery
The formative years at SINE (Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship) within IIT Bombay’s campus played a crucial role in shaping Medprime. Here, the team learned the essentials of transforming an idea into a viable business.
Greeshma recalls, “being in an academic and supportive ecosystem helped us lay a strong foundation. The infrastructure, mentorship, and proximity to fellow innovators created an environment conducive to growth. Those three years gave us the confidence to step into the real world and take risks.”
Challenges in a Difficult Space
Hardware products, particularly those in the medical field, present unique challenges. The team grappled with precision manufacturing, creating affordable yet high-quality solutions, and navigating the behavioral changes required for adoption.
Greeshma shares, “The hardware aspect was demanding, and being a medical product added another layer of complexity. Users were unfamiliar with the idea of renting or subscribing to microscopes—it was a big shift in mindset. Yet, through the tenacity of our team and the quality of our product, we were able to drive change and establish credibility.”
COVID-19 brought its own set of challenges, hitting just as the company was poised to scale. But the team adapted, leveraging their collective strength to overcome these setbacks.
Samrat candidly reflects on Medprime’s growing pains during its scale-up phase. “While the technology and proof of concept were validated, scaling was a different beast. Securing resources and building the right partnerships was daunting. At one-point, outsourcing manufacturing overseas seemed like the pragmatic choice. But our decision to stay local, though difficult, ensured better quality control and fostered innovation right at home.”
Lessons from the Journey
Binil emphasizes the importance of adaptability and user feedback,“our early failure with InfuCheck taught us to listen closely to our users and stay agile. It’s vital not to get too attached to an idea but to keep the bigger picture in mind. Pivoting to digital microscopy wasn’t just a business decision—it was a lesson in humility and customer-centricity.”
Samrat adds,“one of our toughest lessons was learning to prioritize and allocate resources effectively. The early years were lean, but they taught us resilience and the value of strategic planning.”
The Legacy Ahead
As Medprime looks to the future, the vision is clear: to make digital pathology indispensable in diagnostics. The team aims to seamlessly integrate products like CILIKA and Micalys into every diagnostic lab, enabling a smooth workflow from sample preparation to report generation.
Greeshma envisions a legacy of transformation, “Medprime should become synonymous with digital pathology, creating tools that are irreplaceable for diagnostics worldwide. We aim to blend AI, cutting-edge technology, and user-friendly designs to redefine healthcare accessibility and efficiency.”
Samrat envisions a decade of scaling both impact and innovation. The recent funding round led by Hungama Digital’s co-founder, Ashish Kacholia symbolizes more than just financial support. It signifies a belief in Medprime’s mission to revolutionize diagnostics. With plans to upgrade manufacturing, increase efficiency, and launch Cilika International for AI-powered microscopy modules, Medprime is poised to lead the charge in diagnostic technology. “Our goal is not just about creating tools; it’s about enabling healthcare ecosystems to diagnose better, faster, and smarter,” says Samrat.
A Toast to the Next Decade
From its humble beginnings to being a leading brand in digital microscopy, Medprime Technologies has come a long way in just ten years. This success is a testament to the vision, grit, and unity of its founding team. As the company embarks on the next chapter, it does so with the same spirit of innovation and collaboration that marked its inception.
Here’s to the next decade of Medprime—continuing to go far, together.