Gluconfidence LLC wants to make life easier for people coping with insulin-dependent diabetes.
The Louisville-based startup seeks to couple a gluten-free, certified organic liquid glucose supplement with a to-be-released web-based app to help people better manage their diabetes, especially reduce low blood sugar events.
Gluconfidence launched the first iteration of the glucose supplement about 18 months ago. That launch was significantly disrupted by the strain that the coronavirus put on supply chains locally and abroad.
However, Gluconfidence used the time to tweak its product and develop new production partnerships.
Incorporated in 2018, company founder Brian Olivier was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was a U.S. Navy helicopter pilot.
“I built this for myself,” Olivier said. “Diabetes is tough. It's a chronic disease; it’s with you all the time and it's hard to manage.”
Olivier tried to manage his diabetes with exercise. He recalls having low blood sugar episodes while on long runs of bike rides. To maintain his blood sugar levels, he would have to eat junk food: candy and juices mostly.
“This doesn't make sense. I have a chronic disease and I'm trying to work out and be healthy to manage this. But to get through a workout pounding like three Snicker’s bars and a gummy bear. … I'm ending the workout with more calorie intake than then I'm burning. … I shouldn't be eating this crap.”
His idea was a convenient alternative to eating to help regulate blood sugar levels by ingesting something. Gluconfidence, the supplement, is a small two-ounce bottle of liquid glucose. It’s bottled in something reminiscent of small energy drink bottles such as 5 Hour Energy.
This is sold online on the company's store. A buyer can get a package every month and an eight-pack sells for 29.99. An annual subscription sells for $101.99
The company also has a technical side.
Olivier expects that the company’s web-based app to help glean insights from data generated by continuous glucose monitoring devices. That web-based app is expected to go live in the next 60 days. Eventually, Gluconfidence will convert that app into iOS and Android formats.
Gluconfidence would package regular shipments of the supplement and the use of the app in a monthly membership payment model.
The Community Foundation of Louisville awarded Gluconfidence one of its 21st annual Vogt Invention and Innovation Awards in August. The company also participated in the Louisville-based startup accelerator XLerateHealth in 2020. It was also a finalist in the 2019 Venture Sharks business competition.
