Healthcare startup HealthifyMe to launch corporate programmes, expand user base

SINGAPORE-HEADQUARTERED healthcare startup HealthifyMe is looking to expand in the Republic and Malaysia, as well as other markets, amid changing needs and lifestyles influenced by the Covid-19 pandemic, it said in a statement on Monday.

The startup's digital health and fitness platform has amassed 500,000 users in both countries since launching in late 2018, and employs over 40 dieticians and personal trainers, it said.

It plans to quadruple its user base to two million users and employ 150 dieticians and personal trainers, by 2022.

HealthifyMe's platform offers personalised solutions to help users achieve their fitness and nutrition goals, including localised health content, calorie tracking, meal plans, fitness workouts and health advice, which are provided by a team of online nutritionists, personal trainers, and an artificial intelligence fitness coach.

Besides targeting individuals, HealthifyMe intends to partner companies to launch corporate health and wellness programmes for their employees, it said.

It is also planning to expand its reach to Indonesia, Australia and the Middle East within the next two years, and is exploring western markets such as the UK, the US and Canada.

HealthifyMe co-founder and chief executive Tushar Vashisht said the startup's platform has seen a 30 per cent organic surge in user traffic, engagement and retention amid Covid-19 lockdowns in its markets, as gyms and fitness centres closed and more people began exercising at home.

During the Covid-19 lockdown period, user engagement on the platform grew from five sessions per week to 7.5 sessions, while the number of foods users tracked on the app daily increased from four to eight logs, he added.

To cater to users' changing habits amid Covid-19, the startup has introduced new features such as live home workouts and an immunity tracker.

Mr Vashisht said HealthifyMe will continue to expand its food library, quality of coaches and technology support for both existing and new markets to meet the needs of consumers.

HealthifyMe was founded eight years ago in India, and has over 20 million downloads worldwide. It has received over US$35 million in funding from venture capital firms including IDG, Inventus, Sistema, Samsung NEXT and Blume.