Ben Stokes, KL Rahul Invest $4.5M in Medical Travel Startup

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Ben Stokes and KL Rahul, renowned international cricketers, have thrown their weight behind The Medical Travel Company (TMTC). In fact, this news highlights how Ben Stokes, KL Rahul Invest $4.5M into the UK- and India-based medical tourism venture, signaling strong confidence in the startup’s vision. Moreover, this seed funding round was spearheaded by Nexus Venture Partners, with additional participation from Kriscore Capital, the athlete-driven investment collective 4CAST, and a string of high-profile angel investors.

TMTC is not your usual medical tourism startup. Instead, it aims to tackle the frustrating long wait times that millions of UK patients face for elective procedures by providing a seamless connection to accredited hospitals and internationally trained doctors in India, which are often available at a fraction of UK treatment costs. Furthermore, the startup’s model blends rigorous UK doctor oversight, JCI- and NABH-accredited clinical care, post-treatment insurance covering 12 months in the UK, and, importantly, meticulously managed aftercare and logistics.

Consequently, the newly raised capital is set to bolster TMTC’s digital patient management platform, expand hospital partnerships in India, and fuel its UK operations. Looking ahead, the founders envision scaling into the US, Canada, Australia, and Europe within the next three to four years, thus aiming to redefine how cross-border healthcare operates.

1. Introduction

In a remarkable intersection of sports, technology, and healthcare, Ben Stokes, KL Rahul Invest $4.5M in The Medical Travel Company, demonstrating their confidence in the startup’s vision. Furthermore, the venture, co-founded by Ankit Mehrotra and Sahil Jain, the minds behind restaurant-tech giant Dineout is carving out a new path in medical tourism, aiming to make cross-border healthcare more seamless, affordable, and reliable.

Given that elective procedure waiting lists in the UK are ballooning, this investment is more than just money; it is also a bold statement. Consequently, TMTC intends to make affordable, high-quality healthcare accessible, while simultaneously ensuring that the patient experience remains smooth and worry-free. For instance, UK residents could benefit from faster treatments, credible medical oversight, and seamless continuity of care across continents.

2. The Medical Travel Company: Vision and Mission

2.1 Founders and Background

Ankit Mehrotra and Sahil Jain are no strangers to disruption. After successfully scaling Dineout into a trusted platform for restaurant reservations and discovery, they gained deep insights into consumer trust and seamless service delivery. Building on this experience, they now channel their expertise to upend the medical tourism landscape, where, historically, fragmented services and inconsistent quality have long frustrated patients.

Therefore, TMTC is their audacious answer: a company built from the ground up, with a clear focus on patient-centric care at its core. In essence, it is designed to transform the way patients experience cross-border healthcare, combining reliability, convenience, and high-quality medical oversight.

2.2 Mission Statement

TMTC’s mission goes beyond just treatment facilitation, it promises continuity of care across borders. Patients in the UK can access top-quality medical expertise in India while enjoying the comfort of UK doctor supervision, comprehensive aftercare, and financial protection. The company is determined to bridge the gap between the UK’s overburdened healthcare system and India’s medical excellence.

3. Business Model and Services

3.1 Full-Stack Medical Travel Platform

TMTC is designed as a full-stack medical travel platform. It doesn’t just connect patients to hospitals—it orchestrates the entire healthcare journey:

• UK Doctor Oversight: Patients are never left to navigate treatment alone. UK doctors maintain oversight from initial consultation to post-treatment recovery.
• Accredited Clinical Care: Treatments are conducted in JCI- and NABH-accredited hospitals across India, guaranteeing international-quality medical standards.
• Post-Surgery Insurance: TMTC offers 12-month insurance policies valid in the UK, reducing financial anxiety after procedures.
• End-to-End Logistics: The startup handles travel arrangements, accommodation, rehabilitation, and other patient necessities, transforming complex logistics into a stress-free experience.

3.2 Revenue Model

The revenue streams are straightforward yet strategic: service fees from patients, partnerships with hospitals, and commissions on insurance plans. The transparent pricing model reinforces trust, a critical factor in healthcare. By combining technology with human support, TMTC positions itself as a credible and reliable medical travel partner.

4. Industry Landscape and Growth Trends

4.1 Medical Tourism Market Overview

Medical tourism is growing faster than ever. Escalating healthcare costs in developed nations, long treatment wait times, and the rise of global medical standards are pushing patients abroad. India, with its combination of skilled doctors and cost efficiency, has become a favored destination.

Global estimates suggest the sector was worth $7.6–8 billion in 2024 and could cross $14 billion by 2029. Government initiatives like India’s “Heal in India” and simplified medical visa protocols have further strengthened the country’s position as a medical tourism hub.

4.2 UK Healthcare System Challenges

The UK faces a mounting crisis: over 7.7 million people wait for elective procedures. Hospitals are overwhelmed, and private options can be prohibitively expensive. TMTC addresses this gap by offering UK residents timely, safe, and affordable access to medical treatments in India essentially turning months-long waits into weeks, without compromising quality.

5. Competitive Landscape

5.1 Direct Competitors

TMTC competes with players like Vaidam Health, which also facilitates international medical travel. However, TMTC distinguishes itself by offering UK doctor oversight, post-surgery insurance, and end-to-end logistics, an integrated package rare in the market.

5.2 Indirect Competitors

Indirect competition comes from private UK healthcare providers and countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Turkey promoting medical tourism. TMTC’s edge lies in affordable, high-quality treatment, coupled with fully managed patient experiences addressing both medical outcomes and convenience.

6. Investor Perspectives

6.1 Nexus Venture Partners

Pratik Poddar from Nexus Venture Partners is bullish on TMTC, describing the startup’s full-stack approach as the key to unlocking the untapped potential in medical tourism. The founders’ previous success with Dineout gives investors confidence that trust and scale can be effectively replicated in healthcare.

6.2 Kriscore Capital

Nilesh Balakrishnan of Kriscore Capital highlights the dual impact: TMTC addresses urgent healthcare access gaps while demonstrating India’s global medical capabilities. It’s innovation married to social impact, a rare combination.

6.3 4CAST Collective

For Ben Stokes and KL Rahul, this investment aligns with 4CAST’s ethos: backing founders who bring meaningful change. Stokes noted that supporting Ankit and Sahil is “an exciting opportunity to redefine an entire sector.” Rahul added that the partnership could open entirely new pathways for patients worldwide, ensuring support is present at every step.

7. Future Outlook

The $4.5 million funding is just the beginning. TMTC plans to enhance its digital platforms, solidify hospital partnerships in India, and strengthen its UK operations. Geographical expansion is on the horizon, targeting the US, Canada, Australia, and Europe within the next three to four years. If executed well, TMTC could become a benchmark in medical tourism, setting new standards for cross-border healthcare.

8. Learning for Startups and Entrepreneurs

TMTC is a lesson in spotting opportunity and acting decisively. The founders identified a glaring problem, fragmented and delayed healthcare and leveraged prior expertise to craft a scalable, patient-first solution. For entrepreneurs, the takeaways are clear: deep understanding of the market, customer trust, and thoughtful integration of technology can transform industries. Strategic investor partnerships, like those with Stokes, Rahul, and venture firms, accelerate growth and credibility.

About Foundlanes

Foundlanes continues to highlight impactful ventures reshaping industries. TMTC’s story exemplifies innovation meeting necessity, how Indian and global startups can collaborate to solve real-world challenges. The platform remains committed to bringing readers authentic startup journeys, success stories, and lessons that inspire entrepreneurs across sectors.