Pioneering teletherapy in India. Building systems that transform care globally.
Pratiksha Gupta
Founder & CEO, 1SpecialPlace
Speech Language Pathologist | Doctoral Fellow (DBA)
I am a healthcare entrepreneur and clinician with over two decades of experience in speech, neurodevelopment, and digital health. I build scalable, ethical systems that improve access to care for individuals and families across the world.
About Me
I am the Founder and CEO of 1SpecialPlace and currently a Doctoral Fellow (DBA), working at the intersection of clinical care, technology, and healthcare systems design. My journey began in clinical practice across India and the UK, including work within the National Health Service. Over time, I realised that the biggest barriers to care were not clinical. They were systemic. Access, affordability, awareness, and continuity of care were often out of reach for the very people who needed it most.
This realisation shaped my work.
In 2014, I founded 1SpecialPlace with a simple but powerful belief that care should not depend on where you live, what you can afford, or what you know. It should be accessible, structured, and built around long term outcomes.
Today, my work sits at the intersection of clinical care, technology, research, and systems design, with a focus on building models that scale responsibly without compromising quality or dignity.
MY BELIEFS
- Communication is fundamental to dignity, participation, and quality of life
- Access to therapy should not depend on geography or privilege
- Neurodiversity must be understood with respect, not reduced to deficits
- Systems, not individuals, determine the quality of care outcomes
- Scale in healthcare must be built on governance, not shortcuts
- Women’s participation in the workforce is central to sustainable healthcare systems
IMPACT STRIP
THE COMPANY I BUILT
1 SpecialPlace
1SpecialPlace was founded in 2014 as one of India’s earliest structured telehealth platforms, focused on autism, neurodiversity, speech and language disorders, learning disabilities, mental health, and neurological rehabilitation.
At a time when digital healthcare was not widely accepted, the goal was to build a model that could deliver consistent, high quality therapy beyond the constraints of location.
Over the years, 1SpecialPlace has evolved into a globally accessible platform delivering structured, multidisciplinary care to families across India and over 80 countries.
The organisation integrates clinical expertise, proprietary technology, and governance frameworks to ensure that quality is maintained even as scale increases.
IMPACT AT SCALE
● 40,000+ families supported globally
● 80,000+ structured therapy interventions delivered
● Services spanning 75+ developmental and neurological conditions
● 90% client retention rate
● Multidisciplinary team across speech therapy, occupational therapy, mental health, and special education
This impact reflects not just growth, but consistency, structure, and long term outcomes.
SYSTEMS & INNOVATION
My work has focused on building systems that make quality care scalable.This includes the development of ModThera, an integrated therapy management and clinical governance platform designed to support structured digital healthcare delivery.
The system enables
- End to end therapy management
- Digital assessments and screening
- Outcome tracking and audit frameworks
- Standardised clinical protocols
Earlier innovations include
- Speech Doctor App, one of India’s early speech diagnostic tools
- Alexa based speech screening solutions
These systems were built to ensure that scale does not dilute quality, and that care remains measurable, accountable, and effective.
INITIATIVES & PROGRAMS
Beyond 1SpecialPlace, my work extends into multiple initiatives designed to strengthen therapy ecosystems.
A proprietary therapy management and clinical governance platform designed to enable structured, scalable, and outcome-driven healthcare delivery.
A platform for therapy tools, resources, and professional support for therapists, educators, and families.
A structured program focused on supporting children with dyslexia and reading challenges.
A leadership and professional development program designed for therapists and distributed healthcare teams.
A governance-driven model that ensures consistency, accountability, and quality across remote therapy delivery.
A specialised intervention program supporting auditory development and speech outcomes in individuals with cochlear implants.
A guided framework to strengthen parent child interaction and communication.
A support initiative for parents navigating the journey of raising children with special needs.
A global therapy newsletter by 1SpecialPlace bringing together expert insights, practical strategies, and evolving perspectives from across the world of therapy. These initiatives continue to evolve as new needs emerge.
RESEARCH & THINKING
My work is deeply influenced by research and systems thinking.
I am currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration, focusing on healthcare systems design, safety models, and governance in digital health.
My research explores:
- Therapy discontinuation and dropout patterns
- Systems based models of care delivery
- Safety and quality frameworks in teletherapy
- Long term outcome driven healthcare design
As a practitioner and researcher, my goal is to bridge clinical practice with structured, evidence informed systems.
SPEAKING & LEADERSHIP
I am a regular speaker at national and international platforms across healthcare, telemedicine, and disability sectors.
I have delivered keynote talks and participated in panels at:
● Health 2.0 Global Conferences
● Telemedicine Society of India
● AIISH national forums
● Industry and startup ecosystems
My sessions focus on:
● Ethical telehealth systems
● Inclusive healthcare models
● Women led workforce design
● Governance in digital health
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
● Top 10 Startups, India Regionals, Start Up World Cup 2026
● Outstanding Impact in Special Needs Care and Inclusion 2025
● Outstanding Organisation Award, Health 2.0, Las Vagas, 2024
● Best Telemedicine Platform in India, Hyderabd, 2024
● Outstanding Leadership Award, Health 2.0, Dubai, 2023
● Best Women Led Startup, Assistive Technology Sector, 2021
● Recognised among top women led startups by national institutions
FOUNDER’S NOTE
This work began with a simple observation. Too many individuals and families were left without access to the care they needed, not because solutions did not exist, but because systems did not support them.
Over the years, I have come to believe that meaningful change in healthcare does not come from isolated interventions. It comes from building systems that are thoughtful, inclusive, and sustainable.
Everything I build today, whether a platform, a program, or a piece of research, is rooted in that belief.
There is still much to be done. And this journey continues
IN THE MEDIA
1. YourStory
2. NewzHook
3. The Indian Start Up Show
4. Entrakr
5. SheThePeople
6. The Better India
7. Medium
8. Channel I Am
9. Oowomaniya
10. Pro Eves
11. F6S
12. Inc42
13. Catalyst
Publication
WORK WITH ME
I collaborate with organisations, institutions, and individuals across areas such as:
Healthcare system design
School based therapy programs
Professional training and capacity building
Speaking and thought leadership
Strategic advisory in digital health
Stay In Touch
am the Founder and CEO of 1SpecialPlace and currently a Doctoral Fellow (DBA), working at the intersection of clinical care, technology, and healthcare systems design.
+91 9821123002
Monday - Friday from 7am - 5pm
pratiksha@1specialplace.com
Contact me every time!
