Dr. Marcus Tan is a medical doctor, entrepreneur, and key figure in Australia's healthcare technology sector, best known as the co-founder and former CEO of HealthEngine, a platform that revolutionized healthcare access by allowing patients to book medical appointments online.
Background and Education Dr. Tan graduated as a medical doctor from the University of Western Australia (UWA) and later earned an executive MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management[5][7]. His clinical experience as a GP, coupled with frustration over outdated medical directories, inspired him to venture into health tech.
HealthEngine Journey - Founding (2009): Tan co-founded HealthEngine in 2009 after acquiring and rebooting a struggling medical directory startup. Initial challenges included finding a sustainable business model, with the company nearly failing multiple times. - Breakthrough: The introduction of an online booking system in 2013 transformed the platform, enabling millions of healthcare bookings monthly. This innovation attracted a $10.4 million Series A investment from Telstra and Seven West Media, then Australia’s largest Series-A deal. - COVID-19 Response: During the pandemic, HealthEngine pivoted to telehealth, helping practices stay operational and patients access care remotely. - Valuation and Growth: By 2022, HealthEngine was valued at over $120 million, facilitating care for 6 million Australians annually.
Leadership Transition In June 2023, Tan stepped down as CEO after 14 years, handing the role to Dan Stinton (former MD of Guardian Australia). He remained interim Medical Director to support the transition.
Other Roles and Impact - Investor and Mentor: Tan is Managing Partner of Future Health Ventures, partner at Purpose Ventures, and entrepreneur-in-residence at BetterLabs, focusing on digital health startups. - Community Leadership: He chairs Spacecubed (a tech co-working space), serves on boards like Kitchen Warehouse, and co-founded Sync Labs to support Perth’s startup ecosystem. - Philanthropy: Through Wellspring Group, he works on initiatives in health, education, and economic empowerment.
Personal Life - A self-described "people person," Tan continues to practice medicine part-time, seeing patients on weekends. - Interests include playing ukulele, badminton, and skiing. He is a father of two sons.
Dr. Tan’s blend of medical expertise and entrepreneurial vision has left a lasting mark on Australia’s healthcare landscape, demonstrating how technology can bridge gaps in accessibility and efficiency.
