A doctor-turned-entrepreneur, Dr. Viswanathan Vishnu Vijay is revolutionizing diabetic footcare with Stepwise Health’s innovative solutions.
In a world where startup founders often come from the ranks of software engineering or business schools, Dr. Viswanathan Vishnu Vijay’s story stands out like a confident stride in a crowded hallway. A medical doctor turned healthcare innovator, Dr. Vishnu traded a coveted management position in the UK for the unpredictability of entrepreneurship in India, all to solve a problem most people didn’t even know existed.
His mission? To prevent unnecessary amputations among diabetics through scientifically designed, clinically tested footwear. His venture, Stepwise Health, is doing just that, one foot at a time.
Dr. Vishnu’s path could have been more predictable. Holding a medical degree, a master's in management, and a diploma in Medical Law and Ethics, he was offered a prestigious sponsored management role within the largest healthcare trust in the UK.
“It was the kind of opportunity many strive for,” he recalls. “But while the position came with stability and prestige, I realized my deeper calling lay in building something that could make a broader impact.”
That calling led him back to India, not just to build a business, but to build impact at home. He started Stepwise Health with a singular vision: to change the way diabetic footcare is perceived and practiced.
Inspiration for Stepwise Health came not from a boardroom but from a lived experience.
“One moment that stayed with me was watching a lorry driver, the breadwinner of his family, lose his leg to diabetic complications and, in turn, his family’s livelihood,” Dr. Vishnu shares. “Around the same time, I learned a shocking statistic: every 30 seconds, someone loses a leg to diabetes worldwide.”
That emotional trigger, combined with his experience winning a mock Shark Tank pitch in London for a footcare concept, catalyzed the idea that would become Stepwise Health.
India is often called the diabetes capital of the world, yet few are aware of the devastating consequences the disease can have on one’s feet. Diabetic neuropathy or nerve damage due to uncontrolled blood sugar can cause a loss of sensation. This leads to undetected injuries, ulcers, and eventually, amputations.
“In India, diabetic footwear was often just ‘footwear for diabetics’ in name — lacking proper design, clinical backing, and functionality,” says Dr. Vishnu. “Most patients weren’t even aware they needed it.”
That’s where Stepwise Health steps in.
Stepwise is not just a shoe brand. It's what Dr. Vishnu calls a “footcare movement.”
Their flagship product is a clinically tested, patented diabetic footwear line co-developed with MV Hospital for Diabetes, Chennai — India’s first diabetes hospital, established in 1954.
But the offering doesn’t stop at footwear. The company also provides:
“Where others stop at comfort, we begin with science and design, built to protect what keeps us moving,” he says.
Perhaps the biggest challenge Stepwise faced was the lack of awareness not just among patients but even among healthcare professionals.
“Most people still treat footwear as a fashion accessory, not a medical necessity,” Dr. Vishnu points out. “Creating a market where none truly existed was difficult.”
To tackle this, he leaned into his strengths as a communicator and physician. He began conducting awareness sessions, built emotional narratives around real-life cases, and partnered with credible institutions to lend weight to his message.
“I didn’t just sell a product. I began shifting mindsets.”
Stepwise’s evolution wasn’t just about innovation. It was also about execution. Combining clinical credibility with product innovation and design aesthetics proved a delicate balancing act.
“To bring all of this together,” he says, “I collaborated with MV Hospital for Diabetes and applied my management training from the UK. We built strong internal systems like weekly team check-ins, structured appraisal formats, and more to stay aligned and mission driven.”
These practices weren’t just management tools, they were inspired by his own experiences working abroad, where weekly check-ins made him feel seen and supported.
Each piece of the puzzle was methodically assembled, driven by the unshakable belief that “every step we helped someone protect was a step toward saving their future.”
Early startup milestones are often marked in dollars or downloads. But for Dr. Vishnu, validation came in the form of a simple sentence from a grateful customer.
“One of our first customers, a middle-aged man with diabetic neuropathy, told us, ‘This is the first time in years my feet didn’t hurt after a full day at work.’ That single review reaffirmed everything.”
In that moment, Stepwise wasn’t just about footwear. It was about restoring dignity, mobility, and quality of life.
Looking ahead, Dr. Vishnu sees Stepwise not just as a national success, but as a global leader in footcare innovation.
“Our ambition is to contribute meaningfully toward the prevention of global amputations through accessible, evidence-based footcare,” he shares. “If people took care of their feet the way they do their face, we’d avoid countless complications.”
Over the next five years, Stepwise plans to expand its product line to include AI-driven gait analysis, advanced insoles, and personalized wellness diagnostics. These technologies could revolutionize how we approach foot health.
Dr. Vishnu’s journey is a masterclass in purpose-driven entrepreneurship. His story offers valuable takeaways for founders across all industries:
“Startups aren’t just about exits or funding rounds,” he says. “They’re about solving real problems for real people. That’s where the magic happens.”
As Stepwise Health continues to gain traction in India and beyond, Dr. Viswanathan Vishnu Vijay invites readers to be part of a movement that could redefine preventive healthcare.
✅ Visit their website: https://stepwisehealth.in
✅ Connect on LinkedIn: Dr. Viswanathan Vishnu Vijay
✅ Follow on Instagram: @drvishnuvijay
Whether you’re a diabetic, a doctor, or a dreamer, remember this: Taking care of your feet is not vanity, it’s vitality.
I am an entrepreneur, marketer, and mentor with a certification in entrepreneurship from IIT Delhi, one of the most prestigious institutions in India. I have a passion for connecting businesses with their ideal customers, solving real-world problems, and inspiring the next generation of founders.I founded and lead DevoByte, a digital marketing agency that provides a range of services, from SEO a
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