Doctorpreneurs: Dr Raghav Murali-Ganesh

This week's Doctorpreneur of Doctology is Dr Raghav Murali-Ganesh.

Completing medical training in the UK, he moved to Sydney and undertook specialist medical training in radiation oncology.

Combining his oncology specialist knowledge, entrepreneurial skills and a vision for technology solutions, he co-founded CancerAid, the #1 cancer app in Australia, the US and the UK, winning an impressive number of prestigious awards along the way.

What organisation / startup are you a founder of?

CancerAid.

What is its noble purpose?

Provide technology to empower patients

Tell me about the first 10 years of your life?

I am of Indian heritage but grew up in New Zealand in a medical family.

What age were you when you had your first paying job? What was it?

At sixteen years old I was a gas station attendent.

What made you want to be a Doctor and what speciality did you choose? Why?

I am a Radiation Oncologist. I chose it because i was inspired by seeing how well oncologists communicated (the ones that i saw whilst in medical school) and felt the skill they had in how they dealt with emotions and the composure was remarkable. I wanted that skill.

What made you want to be an Entrepreneur or follow an alternative route? When exactly did you decide?

i have always had an entrepreneurial interest since I was a kid. I once bought and sold tadpoles from a local pond when I was ten or so years old - suffice to say I didn't make much money nor did I know what product market fit was.

However during university and also during my intern, residency and registrar years I always had a business I managed on the side. CancerAid is the fifth company I am involved in.

Are you still practicing as a Doctor now? If yes, do you intend to stop if CancerAid takes off?

Yes and I do not intend to stop. I did quit for three years but have recently returned one day per week and I like having that crossover. It feels like part of my identity remains (as a doctor).

Why do you think traditionally many Doctors struggle with entrepreneurship? Or at least they are perceived to?

Medicine is vocationally taught and so is entrepreneurship. The Venn Diagram of mutually inclusive between the two is not touched on early in the medical career path.

What is your favourite quote?

From my Dad: "Life is never boring, the word boring should be removed from the dictionary".

What would you do in the event of a Zombie Apocalypse?

1. Protect my family 2. Never waste a crisis - I would find an opportunity to do business!

Check out CancerAid at https://www.canceraid.com/

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