EVERSION: Gait analysis reducing pain, sick days, and costs

Whether on the factory floor, in healthcare, or at the office – physical strain is part of many work routines. The HealthTech startup EVERSION aims to change that: Using smart sensor insoles and data-driven analysis, the company identifies and prevents musculoskeletal issues before they cause pain or absenteeism.

We spoke with founder and CEO Julia Zimmermann about her personal motivation, measurable impact, and why EVERSION caught attention not only at the 5-HT X-linker "Innovation in Corporate Health Management" in May 2025 but also most recently at Insuring Digital Health on October 8.

How would you explain your solution to a healthcare professional in three sentences?

We help companies reduce sick days by identifying and preventing the causes of non-specific musculoskeletal disorders. More specifically, we use IMU sensor insoles to measure all of an employee's movements throughout a full working day and identify physical strain. Based on this data, we manufacture customized 0° insoles that correct misalignments while mobilizing the foot instead of immobilizing it.

EVERSION sole and smartphone app

What problem motivated you to found EVERSION?

My own pain and a long odyssey of doctor visits led me to Wolfgang, a master orthopedic shoe technician (now our co-founder). Over the years, he realized that conventional insoles mostly just provide support and cushioning, thereby weakening the muscles and even exacerbating discomfort. In his gait analysis lab, he explained the cause of my hip pain to me after taking measurements and made the 0° soles. After three weeks, I was pain-free. That's when the idea came about: to digitize this simple but effective solution and make it directly accessible to employees in their everyday work.

How do you convince pharmaceutical companies, health insurance companies, insurers or other potential customers to set up a pilot project with you?

We win over our customers and partners not with just any shoe insole, but because we truly understand data and use it to derive effective, customized measures. While many take measurements for their own sake, we show specifically how to address the results effectively. This is particularly relevant for companies and cost bearers, because it is precisely those people who previously had little access to comparable benefits who now benefit. They are disproportionately affected by musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). At the same time, it is precisely these groups that face particularly high levels of absenteeism and healthcare costs due to skills shortages and demographic change.

Our solution is easy to use and requires no prior knowledge or specific conditions. The results of our previous projects and studies speak for themselves: an average 66% reduction in pain, a noticeable improvement in quality of life, and a significant reduction in costs. For companies, this means not only happier and healthier employees, but also a clear financial benefit – with a return on investment of 10. It is precisely this combination of simple implementation, proven effectiveness, and financial added value that makes us an attractive partner.

Who are your current customers (groups) and who are the potential customers?

We are active in both the B2C and B2B sectors in Germany. Our existing B2B customers come from the manufacturing industry, retail, the hotel industry, and clinics. We intend to continue focusing on these target groups in the future, as this is where the greatest added value is generated. We currently operate exclusively in Germany - from Konstanz to Kiel - but we are planning to expand into other European markets in the future.

Where do you see yourselves in 3 years' time and how can 5-HT support you?

We want to scale up in the EU and be a real problem solver for companies. Recent studies have already proven our effectiveness in treating pain - we are building on this to become a strong brand for pain-free movement. At the same time, we are aiming to be listed in the medical aids directory and to collaborate with other health insurance companies. 5-HT can support us in achieving these goals, particularly with its excellent network of companies and health insurance providers.

You took part in 5-HT X-linker "Innovation in occupational health" in May 2025. What is your impression of the event and what have you gained from participating (so far)?

The 5-HT X-linker impressed us with the high quality of the participating companies and the open exchange on specific challenges in occupational health management. For us, this resulted in great contacts and pilot projects. The spirit of the event was hugely motivating: it became clear that companies really care about their employees and know that effective occupational health management brings financial benefits. We would very much like to participate again and recommend the event to all companies and occupational health management managers who want to learn about innovative solutions and technologies.

Julia Zimmermann, founder and CEO at EVERSION, at the 5-HT X-linker Innovation in Occupational Healthcare Management in May 2025

EVERSION team at the 2025 summer party