Journey of Suman Kumar Jha: Founder & CEO of Jilo Health -Entrepreneur
Story of Suman Kumar Jha:
In August 2022, a personal incident opened Suman Kumar Jha’s
eyes to a harsh reality — quality healthcare in India is out of reach for most
families. Around 90% of households, which adds up to 250 million families,
simply can’t afford it. This realization struck deeply and set him on a path to
find a solution that could change lives on a massive scale.
A Broken System Meets a New Hope
The core issue wasn’t just the cost, but the lack of proper
access to healthcare. It once seemed like an unsolvable problem. However, the
tide has turned with the growing presence of both digital and physical
healthcare infrastructure in India. The government's development of the
National Health Stack (under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission) has made this
the ideal time to attempt real, lasting solutions.
Building a Long-Term Vision
Over the past 16 months, Suman and his team have dived deep
into understanding the problem. Through pilot programs, experiments, and
countless conversations with stakeholders, they’ve gathered valuable insights.
These efforts have shaped a solid 20-year plan aimed at transforming healthcare
delivery for millions.
Introducing Jilo Health
This vision gave birth to Jilo Health, a mission-driven
startup based in Patna, Bihar. Founded in August 2024, Jilo Health is
determined to make quality healthcare affordable and accessible to India’s
“missing middle” — those who are neither poor enough to qualify for government
support nor rich enough to afford private care.
A Full-Stack Healthcare Approach
Jilo Health isn’t just providing services — it’s reimagining
the entire healthcare delivery system. They’re creating a Managed Care model
that supports families through every stage of care: from preventive health
checks to primary and secondary treatment, to specialized tertiary care and
even medicines — all bundled together at an affordable yearly cost.
Power of the Digital Public Infrastructure
By leveraging India’s National Health Stack and the Ayushman
Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), Jilo Health integrates technology and services
across an omnichannel platform. This means families can access care through
both digital tools and local healthcare providers, ensuring reach even in
remote areas.
The Economic Impact
Suman believes that if their model is successful, it could
bring about a $100 billion impact over the next two decades. The bigger vision?
A healthier population contributing to an India poised to become a $45 trillion
economy in the coming years.
Journey of Suman Kumar Jha: Founder & CEO of Jilo Health -Entrepreneur# startup#age#net worth#investor#Jilo Health story#Suman Kumar Jha story
Lessons from the Ground
The journey so far has been filled with learning.
On-the-ground experiences have shown the team what people really need, what
systems actually work, and where the biggest gaps lie. They’ve been transparent
in sharing these lessons through blogs and insights on their website, inviting
others to learn and contribute.
Previous Venture: Zila Shop
Before Jilo Health, Suman ran another venture called Zila
Shop from 2021 to 2024 in Bengaluru. Inspired by his father’s humble Kirana
store in Dasaut village, Bihar, he wanted to empower small retailers with
better access to goods and capital. But starting a store demands a lot of
upfront investment — something many in rural areas can’t afford.
Learning from Entrepreneurship
His work with Zila Shop taught him the importance of
understanding real-world challenges faced by small-town and village
entrepreneurs. It shaped his thinking around sustainable solutions — not just
in commerce, but now also in healthcare. This hands-on experience gave him the
courage to build something even more ambitious.
Humble Academic Roots
Suman’s educational journey began at Marwari College in
Darbhanga, where he completed high school with a strong focus on mathematics.
He was involved in extracurricular activities like environmental awareness
through drama and passed out in 2011 with first-division marks.
Engineering and New Directions
He went on to study engineering at Dr. MGR University.
Although he started with dedication, his curiosity soon led him toward
innovation clubs like SAEIndia, IET, and NEN. His involvement in research and
extracurriculars often took priority over regular studies, but it also paved
the way for his entrepreneurial mindset and passion for solving deep-rooted
problems.
A timeline with dates and very short explanations:
2011 – Graduated high school from Marwari College, Darbhanga
2011–2015 – Studied engineering at Dr. MGR University
2021 – Founded Zila Shop in Bengaluru
Aug 2022 – Personal incident revealed healthcare
inaccessibility
Late 2022 – Began exploring solutions for affordable
healthcare
2023–2024 – Ran pilots and gathered insights for healthcare
model
Aug 2024 – Founded Jilo Health in Patna
2024–2025 – Launched full-stack managed care model
Next 20 years – Targeting $100B impact via healthcare
transformation
