Fodhil Benturquia is a beacon of innovation in the GCC’s tech landscape. As the CEO and founder of Okadoc, a leading health tech startup, he has transformed how people access healthcare. Named among the GCC’s top 100 inspiring leaders in 2019 by Arabian Business magazine, Benturquia’s journey from investment banking to e-commerce and health tech showcases his resilience and vision. His leadership at Okadoc is reshaping the healthcare experience, making it more accessible and efficient for millions.
Born in France to Algerian parents, Fodhil Benturquia arrived in the UAE in 2007 in his early 20s, eager to build a career. He started in investment banking at Societe General Corporate Investment Banking, but an economic slowdown led to redundancy. Instead of leaving Dubai, Benturquia chose to stay, driven by a desire to “dream big.” This decision marked the beginning of his entrepreneurial path, setting him apart as a determined risk-taker.
A Pivot to E-commerce
Benturquia’s fascination with e-commerce began with its potential to disrupt traditional retail. In 2010, he co-founded MarkaVIP, an online shopping platform in Amman, Jordan. Though his time there lasted only 10 months, it ignited his passion for startups. He then joined Souq.com, a rising e-commerce platform in the Middle East. At Souq.com, Benturquia launched the Deal of the Day feature and led operations in Saudi Arabia, the company’s largest market. His efforts contributed to Souq.com’s $600 million acquisition by Amazon in 2017.
In 2015, at age 32, Benturquia took the helm as Group CEO of Noon.com, a $1 billion joint venture backed by Mohamed Alabbar and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Under his leadership, Noon.com became a dominant e-commerce player in the GCC, solidifying his reputation as a tech visionary.
The Birth of Okadoc
The idea for Okadoc emerged from a personal challenge. In 2017, Benturquia struggled to book a doctor’s appointment in the UAE, finding the process slow and frustrating. This experience revealed a gap in the healthcare system: the lack of a user-friendly platform for medical bookings. In 2018, he founded Okadoc to address this issue, with a mission to improve the healthcare experience for all. The platform allows patients to find doctors based on specialty, location, language, insurance, and availability, booking appointments in under 40 seconds.
Okadoc’s Growth and Impact
Since its launch, Okadoc has seen remarkable growth. The platform attracts 400,000 monthly visitors, growing at 30% per month. It partners with 140 clinics and hospitals, offering access to 1,000 doctors across 130 specialties. Okadoc’s business model is consumer-friendly and free for patients, while doctors and hospitals pay AED 500 per month per doctor for listings and bookings. Benturquia claims the platform reduces appointment no-shows by 75%, a significant efficiency gain for healthcare providers.
Okadoc’s success has earned it prestigious awards, including the 2019 Arabian Business Start-up of the Year, Healthcare Innovator of the Year at the Entrepreneur Magazine’s Agility Awards, and International Healthtech Start-up of the Year by CV Magazine. These accolades highlight Okadoc’s role as a game-changer in the region’s healthcare sector.
Leadership Style and Philosophy
Benturquia’s leadership is bold and unconventional. He challenges aspiring entrepreneurs by critiquing their ideas harshly to test their resilience. “I go ballistic, and I tell them why it will never work,” he says. Yet, he follows with encouragement: “You let me destroy your dream; you should not let anybody do that.” He believes true entrepreneurs have no Plan B, only an unwavering belief in their vision.
At Okadoc, Benturquia fosters a culture of innovation and emotional intelligence. He views people as the core assets of tech companies, emphasizing retention and team passion. He seeks determined, like-minded individuals and offers share options to align the team with Okadoc’s long-term goals. His philosophy embraces learning from failures, stating, “You need to accept that you will fail, but you need to learn from those failures and move forward.”
Vision for the Future
Benturquia envisions Okadoc as a lasting enterprise, drawing inspiration from Amazon and Apple. “I see myself with Okadoc for, hopefully, 10, 15, 20 years,” he shares. Unlike many startups focused on quick exits, he prioritizes sustainability, asking, “Why do we want to sell? Why do we have to sell?” His immediate plans include launching Okadoc in Saudi Arabia, with ambitions to expand into Asia and Africa. In the UAE, he targeted 30% market penetration by 2021, up from 10% in 2019, a goal reflecting his bold yet calculated approach.
Personal Insights
Benturquia’s drive stems from a clear mission: making healthcare accessible and efficient. “The most important thing is to have a clear mission,” he reflects. His grounded nature shines through in his willingness to learn and adapt. He values surrounding himself with talented people, admitting, “You need to surround yourself with better people.” His passion for problem-solving and innovation continues to fuel Okadoc’s growth and his influence in the tech ecosystem.
Fodhil Benturquia’s journey from a young banker to a health tech pioneer is a story of resilience and vision. Through Okadoc, he is revolutionizing healthcare access in the GCC, earning accolades and inspiring entrepreneurs. His leadership, marked by bold challenges and a focus on long-term impact, sets a high standard for innovation. As Okadoc expands, Benturquia’s legacy as a transformative leader in the region’s tech and healthcare sectors is only beginning to take shape.
