Emerging from stealth mode, Complement 1, a cancer care startup led by Karan Bajaj, the co-founder of Byju’s-owned WhiteHat Jr, has secured $16 million in seed funding for their AI-driven platform revolutionizing cancer care through personalized coaching and an AI-driven platform grounded in lifestyle medicine.

Complement 1 delivers daily, clinically validated personalized coaching for patients battling cancer or at high risk. Built on decades of global research into lifestyle medicine, the company’s model marks a radical shift in cancer care by combining high-tech precision with human compassion.

“Lifestyle change is one of the most powerful yet underused tools in cancer care,” said Karan Bajaj, CEO and Co-Founder of Complement 1.

“Every oncologist will tell you patients need more support incorporating clinically recommended physical activity, nutrition and mind-body practices. We’ve cracked the code on daily engagement with personalized, compassionate coaching—helping patients make meaningful, lasting improvements during and beyond treatment,” added Karan.

Seed Funding will Fuel Global Expansion for Complement 1

Backed by Owl Ventures and Blume Ventures, the oversubscribed seed round positions Complement 1 to scale rapidly across the United States. CEO Karan Bajaj, previously the founder of WhiteHat Jr, emphasized the platform’s power to transform cancer care through daily, tailored interventions in nutrition, exercise, and somatic practices.

“This is not just another health app, it’s a lifeline,” said Bajaj. “Every day, our personalized coaching drives lasting behavior change, powered by our intelligent rule engine and compassionate CoActive Coaches.”

Unlike traditional models that rely on sporadic check-ins, Complement 1 meets patients daily. This consistent engagement, anchored in AI-driven platform logic and human empathy, boosts patient adherence beyond 90 percent, reduces treatment side effects by 37 percent, and significantly reduces pain and sleep disruptions.

“I’ve seen targeted lifestyle changes transform outcomes, from better energy to reducing recurrence risk. The challenge has always been getting patients to implement and stick with those changes. Complement 1’s platform provides the intensive support patients need to make sustainable lifestyle shifts, with adherence rates I’ve never seen before in this field,” said Dr. Neil M. Iyengar, MD, a leading exercise-oncology researcher and board member of Complement 1.

The AI-driven platform adapts to cancer type, treatment stage, and side effects, offering a personalized coaching journey aligned with leading oncology standards. These features make cancer care more humane, proactive, and cost-effective, cutting up to 30 percent of healthcare expenses.

A Vision Rooted in Scientific Rigor

Decades of meta-studies show that lifestyle medicine, when integrated effectively, can slash cancer recurrence and mortality by more than one-third. Complement 1 capitalizes on this evidence, delivering scalable cancer care through real-time AI-driven platform analytics and the daily support of dedicated coaches.

“Patients often lack support outside the clinic,” said Trupti Mukker, Co-founder and COO. “Our platform fills that void, blending lifestyle medicine with the emotional intelligence of personalized coaching.”

Known for building WhiteHat Jr, which Byju’s acquired for $300 million, Karan Bajaj brings both entrepreneurial experience and passion for impact to Complement 1. Post-WhiteHat Jr, Bajaj envisioned a future where cancer care doesn’t stop at hospitals, but extends into daily life through evidence-based support.

His leadership now fuels this mission, directing new capital toward expanding coaching infrastructure, enhancing the AI-driven platform, and forging partnerships with hospitals, insurers, and employers.

The next development phase includes a more intuitive interface to enhance patient-coach interactions. With the same precision that defined his previous venture, Karan Bajaj aims to ensure Complement 1 continues setting new standards for digital cancer care delivery.

“With rising cancer incidence rates, Complement 1 is creating a revolutionary new model to improve global cancer outcomes,” said Amit A. Patel, Managing Director at Owl Ventures. As lifestyle medicine gains global traction, this ambitious model has the potential to influence cancer protocols worldwide, redefining healing not just as treatment, but transformation.

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