Business Remedies | Rajshree Upadhyaya | May 30, 2025 | With his qualifications and unwavering determination towards his work, Shashank Modhia has set an example by launching a healthcare startup, The Renal Project, aimed at making dialysis affordable, accessible, and high-quality for every Indian. In order to change the way kidney care is delivered in India, he earned a master’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and spent over a decade in the healthcare industry. Shashank has worked with leading multinational companies such as GE Healthcare, Philips, and Baxter. While serving as the Regional Quality Head for Baxter in the Asia-Pacific region, he observed that India lagged significantly in access to kidney care. Despite its vast population, India had an alarming dialysis coverage rate, with only 30% of patients receiving the necessary treatment.
Determined to address this crisis, Shashank returned to India in 2019 and founded The Renal Project. He launched a healthcare startup with the sole aim of making dialysis affordable, accessible, and of high quality for every Indian. Instead of building large hospitals, he introduced an innovative and scalable model of micro dialysis centers, typically spread over 200 square feet with 2-3 beds. These are set up in partnership with local hospitals. Located in suburbs, towns, and rural areas, these centers eliminate the need for patients to travel 50-100 kilometers multiple times a week for treatment.
21 Centers Established in Cities Like Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, and Thane
The services offered by The Renal Project go far beyond traditional clinics. The startup also provides home dialysis solutions using portable machines, trained technicians, and emergency dialysis services, a critical necessity in life-saving situations. By 2021, the startup had established 21 centers in cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, and Thane, serving over 1,000 patients. It had reached an annual run rate of Rs. 3 crore with a monthly revenue of Rs. 25 lakh.
Shashank pitched The Renal Project on Shark Tank India Season 1, seeking Rs. 1 crore in exchange for 3% equity. Despite facing stiff competition from major players like NephroPlus, he carved out a unique identity. Sharks Namita Thapar and Aman Gupta offered Rs. 1 crore for 6% equity, a deal Shashank accepted. The investment wasn’t just financial; their pharmaceutical expertise aligned well with the startup’s healthcare goals.
Handling Over 5,000 Dialysis Sessions Every Month
Exposure from Shark Tank proved to be a pivotal moment. The Renal Project rapidly expanded into Gujarat and Rajasthan. By 2025, the startup had grown to around 200 centers. Namita Thapar later invested an additional Rs. 2 crore, and the company also received funding from the Jain International Trade Organization (JITO) and a network of nephrologists.
The team developed proprietary software called Vidur, which standardizes protocols, uses predictive analytics to monitor patient vitals, and ensures uniform treatment quality across all centers. From a three-member team, The Renal Project has evolved into a full-fledged organization with clinical, operations, marketing, and technology departments. The startup now manages over 5,000 dialysis sessions monthly. More than 80% of its revenue comes from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, areas most lacking in healthcare infrastructure.
Don’t Start a Company Just to Avoid a Job
The Renal Project remains focused on real-world impact. Each dialysis session adds an estimated 10 days to a patient’s life. For Shashank, this defines true success. These centers are not just treatment facilities, they are lifelines for patients who previously had to choose between healthcare and hardship.
Shashank’s journey exemplifies how domain expertise, empathy, and a sense of purpose can bring about transformative change. His advice to entrepreneurs is clear: Do not start a company just to avoid a job, start it because you see a real problem that needs solving. Build with conviction, not with ego. Move forward with intent, not just speed. The Renal Project continues its mission to democratize dialysis. Its core message is that healthcare innovation doesn’t always require high-end technology or massive budgets. Sometimes, it’s about building small, smart, and sustainable solutions, one center, one community, and one life at a time.
Written & Edited By:
Rajshree Upadhyaya
