1. When was Medstown formed, and what is its mission?
Medstown was established on 20th September 2022, with a vision to transform medicine delivery in India. During its initial trial run in a small area, the team successfully delivered 840 orders in just 20 days, proving the potential of their idea. This success motivated them to build a scalable platform. Medstown’s mission is to eliminate the gap between patients and medicines by connecting customers with local pharmacies to ensure quick deliveries, often within 30 minutes.
They aim not only to provide convenience but also to support small and medium-sized pharmacies, enabling them to thrive in a competitive market dominated by large players.
2. Where is Medstown based, and how extensive is its pharmacy network?
Medstown is headquartered in Hyderabad, a city with a booming tech ecosystem. They have partnered with over 650+ local pharmacies, creating a robust network to provide seamless medicine delivery services. Their partnerships ensure that customers have access to an extensive range of medicines, making Medstown a reliable solution for urgent needs.
With ambitious plans to expand across India, Medstown is onboarding ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) to scale its operations and serve customers nationwide.
3. Who is the founder, and what inspired the creation of Medstown?
Syed Hussaini, the founder and CEO of Medstown, started his career in 2009 with Microsoft Hyderabad. With a drive to learn and grow, Syed moved on to work at Quintiles and Parexel, gaining experience in clinical research and project management. Later, he worked at Google as a trainer and quality analyst. In 2020, he took a leap and started his own Google-certified agency, mentoring and empowering over 15,000 individuals.
The idea for Medstown was born during the COVID-19 pandemic when Syed observed the struggles patients faced in accessing essential medicines. Pharmacies were operational, but long delivery times and inefficient systems left many patients frustrated. He envisioned a platform that could connect patients with nearby pharmacies for faster delivery.
His vision became personal in January 2023 when his mother experienced a heart problem, and Syed had to run from one pharmacy to another to find the required medicines. This experience reinforced his commitment to solving this critical issue, leading to the formation of Medstown.
4. What challenges did Medstown face in its early days?
Starting in the highly regulated pharma sector was no easy feat. Medstown faced several challenges, such as the lack of payment gateway support due to RBI restrictions on onboarding new payment aggregators. Additionally, convincing people about their unique medicine Qcomm (quick commerce) model was an uphill battle.
Being the first movers in this niche market, Medstown had to build trust and educate both pharmacies and customers about their value proposition. Despite these hurdles, the team remained steadfast, leveraging their technology expertise to create a reliable and efficient platform.
5. How does Medstown tackle competition and support local pharmacies?
Medstown is built on the principle of collaboration, not competition. While many competitors focus on taking market share from traditional pharmacies, Medstown works to uplift and support local pharmacies. They provide solutions for sales, logistics, inventory, and technology, helping their pharmacy partners grow alongside them.
Unlike large quick commerce platforms that harm small retailers, Medstown believes that “When India grows, we grow!” This ethos has helped them differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace. Even with the entry of big players like Swiggy Instamart, Medstown’s focus on collaboration gives them a unique edge.
6. What are Medstown’s future plans?
Medstown has ambitious plans to partner with 950,000 local pharmacies across India, offering them both B2C and B2B solutions. By expanding their network, they aim to make medicines accessible to people in even the most remote areas.
In addition to connecting pharmacies with customers, Medstown plans to improve the overall efficiency of the medicine supply chain by providing technological solutions, training, and inventory management systems to their partners.
7. What makes Medstown unique, and what is its motto?
Medstown is designed to be a time-saving, reliable, and inclusive platform. It caters to the needs of a diverse audience, including working professionals, parents, single mothers, pregnant women, and people with special needs. By ensuring that medicines are delivered quickly and reliably, Medstown has positioned itself as a trustworthy solution in the healthcare sector.
Medstown’s motto reflects their collaborative spirit:
“There is so much we can do if we are together. I believe in collaborations rather than being a competitor!”
8. What is the current team size and funding status?
Medstown’s team is growing steadily and currently comprises 14 members. Despite being a lean team, their passion and dedication have driven the company forward. They have secured funding support from the Government of Telangana, Assam, and India, along with grants that value the company at $1 million.
Their incubation in T-Hub AIC, STPI, and the Wadhwani Foundation has further strengthened their position as a promising startup in the healthcare domain.
Medstown stands out not just for its innovative model but for its commitment to creating a win-win situation for both customers and pharmacies. Their dedication to collaboration and growth ensures a bright future in India’s quick commerce and healthcare space.
also read: Meet Moin Pasha, who turned his father’s small business into a Rs 100 crore business empire.
