Vikram Bhaskaran, former head of creator partnerships at Pinterest, faced a daunting challenge when his father began showing early symptoms of ALS, a rare neurodegenerative disease. Struggling to find clear and reliable medical information online, Bhaskaran teamed up with neurosurgeon Rohan Ramakrishna and Pinterest engineer Arun Ranganathan during the pandemic to create Roon, a platform that connects patients with video-based answers from top doctors and others living with specific health conditions.
Roon aims to replace traditional online health resources like “Dr. Google,” WebMD, and Healthline with a database of over 16,000 short, video-based Q&As. These videos cover a range of conditions, including ALS, glioblastoma, dementia, and fertility issues, with plans to expand into women’s health, pediatrics, and other specialties.
A Platform to Scale Doctors’ Expertise
Dr. Ramakrishna explained that doctors often repeat the same explanations during patient appointments, yet this valuable knowledge rarely reaches beyond individual consultations. By inviting doctors to share their expertise on Roon, the platform transforms healthcare professionals into creators of trusted, scalable content.
Roon provides an honorarium for participating doctors, although some decline due to conflict-of-interest rules. The videos serve as valuable educational tools for patients before or after appointments, allowing doctors to streamline communication and improve care quality. Patients, in turn, gain access to advice directly from specialists and peers who understand their struggles.
Building Trust Before Monetizing
Although Roon is not yet generating revenue or finalizing its business model, it has raised $15 million in funding at a valuation of $68 million. The funding round was co-led by Forerunner Ventures and First Mark, with participation from Sequoia Capital and TMV.
Eurie Kim, managing partner at Forerunner Ventures, emphasized the platform’s potential. A former caregiver for her mother battling cancer, Kim sees Roon as a tool to empower patients by preparing them for medical appointments. She envisions multiple monetization paths, such as ad placements, hospital subscriptions, or even a doctor directory for second opinions.
For now, Bhaskaran believes the focus should remain on building trust and providing accurate, user-friendly content. He likens Roon to the early days of Pinterest, saying it is less about monetization and more about creating a reliable resource for both patients and healthcare providers.
Roon’s mission resonates with its investors, healthcare professionals, and users alike, highlighting a growing demand for accessible, trustworthy medical information.
Featured image courtesy of Roon
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