Whitehat Jr taught Karan Bajaj a few lessons. Now he’s testing them on cancer

Karan Bajaj returned to startups with Complement 1, a personalized coaching app for cancer patients focused on exercise, diet, and mental health. Unlike his previous edtech venture White Hat Junior, this healthtech startup targets the highly regulated US market with a B2B approach aimed at insurers, employers, and cancer centers.

Complement 1 prioritizes credibility by involving top oncologists and conducting an 18-month clinical trial to prove that personalized coaching can reduce healthcare costs and improve quality of life. Bajaj admits that although his old startup playbook worked for White Hat Junior, cancer care demands more than just "hustle and hype" — it requires rigorous standards, clinical validation, and sustainable business models.

The startup currently faces challenges with adherence during active cancer treatment and proving a viable business model, with outcomes-based pricing and a pay-per approach to satisfy insurers. Bajaj’s strong personal motivation and hands-on negotiation style drive the effort, but making Complement 1 successful will mean navigating this complex healthcare landscape carefully.

• Karan Bajaj exited White Hat Junior after a $300M sale but returned with a healthtech startup called Complement One.
• Complement One offers personalized coaching for cancer patients, inspired by Bajaj's mother's battle with cancer.

• US healthcare's strict regulation raised Complement One's standards and credibility.
• Bajaj brought top oncologists on board to gain trust and credibility in a conservative market.