Krish Chopra’s entrepreneurial story is one of resilience, innovation, and a relentless focus on solving a critical issue in healthcare. His path to founding NPHub evolved through moments of introspection, personal growth, and a deep desire to make a difference.
Raised in a first-generation immigrant family, Krish was expected to follow the well-defined path of studying medicine or law. But his ambitions led him elsewhere.
“I was going to go into consulting or banking, maybe go to law school,” Krish recalls. “I was studying for the LSAT for a quick few months there. That was the path I was on, [but] I found myself wanting to start a company.”
His corporate experience began at AT&T, where he quickly learned that he didn’t fit in the corporate mold. “I was worried I would cap out there, and I would never get to actually figure out what I can do." This desire for more led him down an entrepreneurial path... "[NPHub] became that opportunity for me... let me move out of New York City to Atlanta. Let me restart, and let me figure this out and see if I can. And what was the harm in failing?”
In 2015, Krish took the plunge and founded NPHub, aiming to solve the complex and broken clinical placement system for nurse practitioner students. Little did he know that his mission would revolutionize healthcare education and be instrumental in addressing the shortage of qualified healthcare professionals.
Bootstrapping and Creating an Impact
Starting NPHub was no 'walk in the park.' Krish’s first venture in clinical placements for medical students didn’t offer the innovation he was looking for. He recognized a bigger opportunity in the nurse practitioner space, a sector that lacked the necessary support for students to find clinical placements.
“I realized these nurse practitioners don’t have the support,” Krish explains. “So the TAM, from a business point of view, was higher.” His commitment to innovation allowed NPHub to scale faster than competitors. Krish was able to combine technology with customer experience to create a platform that helped thousands of students navigate the broken placement process, giving them the support they needed to graduate.
“We realized early on that if students couldn’t find clinical placements, they wouldn’t graduate,” Krish says. “Without us, it was a waste of time and money for them. Our platform became the lifeline that made graduation and career success possible.”
Bootstrapped Beginnings
Krish bootstrapped NPHub for the first 10 years, choosing to grow the business at his own pace and avoiding the pressures that come with outside capital. “We built the business the way we wanted to,” Krish shares. But as the NPHub reached $3.8M in revenue, it became clear that scaling the business further would require outside investment.
“The reality is when you’re doing $2M in revenue, and you want to invest $50,000 into the company, you can make a significant impact,” Krish reflects. “But when you’re doing $8, $10, $12, $15 million in revenue, it doesn’t move the needle anymore.”
That’s when Edison Partners stepped in with a $20M growth investment, marking a pivotal moment in NPHub’s expansion. Krish’s decision to bring on external capital wasn’t just about fueling growth; it was about finding the right partners who could help scale the business without compromising its values or culture.
“I wanted to build it a certain way, and having an investor is fantastic...they’re operating with a different playbook,” Krish explains. “They have accountability to their LPs, and that’s going to inform their decision making.”
Building Relationships, Not Just Products
Krish’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to build relationships early. “The network you build is everything,” he says. “Relationships aren’t just about the immediate transaction; they’re about the long-term trust and support you gain.”
He also emphasizes the importance of staying true to your vision and understanding when to push for change. “As a founder, your company’s culture and values are your foundation,” Krish says. “You need people who believe in your mission, and you need to give them room to grow into the leaders your company needs.”
The Future of NPHub: Addressing Healthcare's Most Pressing Issues
Krish Chopra’s story is a testament to the power of innovation, persistence, and smart capital decisions. NPHub has gone from a small idea to a significant player in healthcare education, helping thousands of nurse practitioners navigate the critical placement process and launch successful careers.
Krish’s ultimate goal is to continue expanding NPHub’s impact. The real mission is bigger than business growth; it’s about changing the healthcare system for the better." For more insights from Krish Chopra on the future of healthcare, entrepreneurship, and scaling businesses effectively, listen to the full episode of Electrifying Growth below!
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