Glooko nabs $3.5M for diabetes tracking device

Krystal Peak · January 30, 2012 · Short URL: https://vator.tv/n/23ee

The mobile application that automatically logs glucose levels gains strength in mobile health market

 

For those living with diabetes, keeping on top of their health in the easiest way possible is key. A company called Glooko is working to make your iPhone an easy device to track and remind people when to check their blood sugar and connect directly to a device that meters blood glucose. 

Glooko announced its $3.5 million Series A funding on Monday led by The Social+Capital Partnership, with participation from existing investors, including Bill Campbell, Vint Cerf, Judy Estrin and Andy Hertzfeld, Venky Harinarayan, Russell Hirsch and Xtreme Labs. 

Launched at the end of 2010, Glooko is a digital logbook for people with diabetes who have to check their blood sugar every day. While other apps exist to log daily blood sugar stats, Glooko makes a $40 cable that connects to seven of the top glucose meters so that information is directly inputted from the machine. 

The app itself is free and gives space to write notes and share the information later with a healthcare provider via email or fax.

Glooko has also just released a new version of the Glooko Logbook app that supports the Bayer’s Breeze 2 meter, including a real-time food database, a 30-day logbook, and provides availability in the Canada app store.

With close to 25 million people living with diabetes in the U.S. today, Glooko co-founder and chairman Yogen Dalal wanted to create a way for people living with diabetes an easier way to use all the data collected on the glucose meter. 

In the future, Glooko would like to analyze or offer the data collected for health studies or national data gathering if clients and FDA regulators agree to the power possible from so many consistent and accurate data points.

Glooko currently has more than 1,000 users, and the response to this system of tracking and maintenance has been overwhelmingly positive. Android integration is coming soon and the new funding will be used to expand to other platforms and for user acquisition.

The mobile health space

Over the last two years, more companies have been moving into the health space because the demand for more products and services has been extremey strong. There are health forums popping up such as Doximity and HealthTap, where those with medical concerns can connect directly with physicians or physicians can connect with one another about medical issues.

The mobile health market is forecasted to exceed $400 million in the next handful of years but often has its challenges since any medically-accepted communities must adhere to the strict HIPAA regulations.

There are also apps that connect to devices, much like Glooko, such as FitBit, JawboneUP and Nike's new Fuleband, where daily activity and food intake are tracked to help keep people moving and healthy.

The mobile health market will likely see some even more exciting additions this year, and hopefully more in the disease manintence category so that those living with conditions can look no further than there phone for assistance.

 

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HealthTap+ has reinvented the way people all over the world manage their health and well-being. Our free web and mobile apps enable 24/7 access to personalized, relevant, and trusted health information in the form of answers, tips, checklists, and news from over 67,000 U.S. doctors.

Members can get expert answers to their personal health questions, read personalized news and tips, and access expert reviews of health apps from HealthTap’s Medical Expert Network of more than 67,000 doctors for free.

In July 2014, HealthTap launched its premium HealthTap Prime subscription service. Prime members pay a monthly subscription fee for unlimited live consults with physicians via HD video, voice, and text chat. The service is available via any mobile device or personal computer.

HealthTap then launched HealthTap Concierge in October 2014, which connects members with their own doctors, via HD video, voice, and text chat for a low, per-consult fee. No monthly subscription is required to use HealthTap Concierge.

HealthTap released its first annual AppRx Report in January 2015. Thousands of doctors on HealthTap independently reviewed tens of thousands of health and wellness apps available in the iOS and Android app stores and provided recommendations for those they deemed the best.

In March 2015, HealthTap launched RateRx, the first free, large-scale resource of doctor ratings and reviews for over 4,000 drugs and medications. It was created by doctors to help consumers understand the effectiveness of drugs and treatments based on doctors' real-world experience.

 

The company is backed by leading investors such as Khosla Ventures, Eric Schmidt’s Innovation Endeavors, Mayfield Fund, and Mohr Davidow Ventures.