Orange Health Labs: Making Diagnostics as Easy as Ordering Food in India

By Shatabdi Joshi

Orange Health Labs: Making Diagnostics as Easy as Ordering Food in India

Getting a blood test in India means going to labs at inconvenient timings, and often facing unnecessary delays, especially when someone is unwell. Bengaluru-based Orange Health Labs is changing that experience dramatically by bringing reliable, 30-minute home sample collection and fast report delivery to millions of Indians.

Founded in 2020 by Dhruv Gupta and Tarun Bhambra, Orange Health Labs aims to make diagnostic testing as seamless as ordering food online. Backed by prominent investors including Y Combinator and Accel, the startup has quickly emerged as one of the fastest-growing players in India’s clinical diagnostics space.

The Personal Pain That Sparked a Business

The idea for Orange Health Labs was born from a deeply personal experience. In 2019, Dhruv Gupta’s wife and daughter contracted dengue and required daily platelet count tests. The family struggled with unreliable digital options and had no choice but to visit labs in person repeatedly.

That frustration became the catalyst. Gupta, who had previously worked in telehealth and diagnostics at Practo, partnered with Tarun Bhambra, a former McKinsey consultant and investor, to build a better solution.

Their vision was clear: create a full-stack diagnostics platform that owns the entire chain from sample collection to report delivery with an obsessive focus on speed, reliability, and convenience.

How Orange Health Labs Works

Orange Health Labs operates its own NABL-accredited and ICMR-certified laboratories. The company offers a wide range of tests, from basic blood sugar and cholesterol checks to advanced genetic panels.

The customer experience is designed for simplicity. Users book tests through the app or website, choose a convenient time slot, and an eMedic arrives at their doorstep within 30 minutes. These trained professionals come in uniform with organised kits and follow strict protocols.

The company maintains around 750 eMedics, all of whom hold diplomas or degrees in medical lab technology and undergo rigorous background verification and training, including approximately 100 hours focused on gentle blood collection techniques for children, elderly patients, and anxious individuals.

Samples are barcoded at collection and tracked in real-time. They are transported under temperature-controlled conditions to ensure accuracy. Reports are typically delivered within four to six hours, with 98% of orders meeting this timeline.

Patients can also add their doctor’s details during booking so reports are automatically shared with both parties. The company offers both PDF and interactive formats that help users track health trends over time.

Impressive Scale and Operational Excellence

Starting in Bengaluru’s Koramangala and HSR Layout, Orange Health quickly became the city’s top COVID testing provider during the pandemic. It has since expanded to Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, while also growing its network of over 75 walk-in collection centres.

The company has served over 3 million orders and maintains a Net Promoter Score above 85, with more than 50,000 Google reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5.

Around 70% of its business comes directly from consumers via the app and website. The remaining 30% comes from corporate partnerships, insurers, employers, and major platforms like Amazon, where Orange Health serves as an exclusive diagnostics partner.

In FY26, Orange Health reported ₹138 crore in revenue, exiting the year at a ₹180 crore ARR with 65% year-on-year growth. Its Bengaluru operations have achieved 20% EBITDA profitability, with other cities now also operationally profitable.

Technology and Trust at the Core

Orange Health Labs has invested heavily in technology. Its in-house software uses AI to optimise eMedic allocation, logistics routes, and report processing. The platform also handles routine customer queries efficiently.

Data security is a top priority. The company holds ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certifications. Patient information is protected through masked phone numbers, unique IDs, and strict access controls.

The startup differentiates itself through full-stack ownership, which allows better control over quality, speed, and accuracy. As Dhruv Gupta points out, nearly 70% of diagnostic errors happen before the sample even reaches the testing machine. Orange Health’s end-to-end control helps minimise such risks.

Strong Backing and Future Plans

Orange Health has raised $50 million to date from top investors including Y Combinator, Accel India, General Catalyst, Bertelsmann India Investments, and Amazon’s Smbhav Venture Fund.

The company is now focused on geographic expansion, strengthening its omnichannel presence, and introducing more personalised and proactive diagnostic services.

Recent innovations include NeO Reports for better health tracking and Orange One, an annual diagnostic subscription model. The startup is also expanding into genetic testing with products like the Nutri DNA Test.

Looking ahead, Orange Health aims to evolve from a diagnostics provider into a comprehensive health measurement platform. Using AI and accumulated patient data, it wants to recommend the right tests at the right frequency for each individual.

Why Orange Health Labs Matters

India’s clinical diagnostics market is projected to reach $4.4 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10%. In this rapidly expanding sector, Orange Health stands out for its focus on convenience, speed, and full-stack execution.

By making diagnostics as simple as ordering food, the company is removing friction for patients, especially during illness when mobility is limited. Its model also supports doctors and clinics through faster, more reliable testing.

In a country where timely diagnostics can make a life-saving difference, Orange Health Labs is proving that technology and empathy can work together to build a better healthcare experience.

From personal pain during a family health crisis to serving millions of customers nationwide, Dhruv Gupta and Tarun Bhambra’s journey shows how solving real problems with care and innovation can create meaningful businesses.

The future of diagnostics in India is becoming faster, smarter, and more accessible one home sample collection at a time.