ZenZen Diabetes: The future of diabetes care is now

In a world where millions of people with diabetes face the challenges of this disease every day, ZenZen Diabetes takes centre stage as a pioneering solution. In this exclusive interview, Susa Horvath, CEO of ZenZen Diabetes, shares her vision for a revolutionary conversation-driven AI-powered diabetes management companion app. From personal motivations to future goals, this conversation offers a fascinating insight into the world of digital health technology.

How would you explain your solution in three sentences to a professional colleague from the health sector?

"ZenZen is a conversational AI-powered diabetes management companion app. ZenZen offers personalized support, knowledge transfer, and emotional assistance to expectant mothers and, in the future, all diabetes patients. Our solution isn't just an app;. It's like having a caring friend who understands the challenges of diabetes and is there 24/7."

What problem motivated you to start the company?

"When I learned I’m pregnant, my happiness and excitement turned into a nightmare with one sentence: You have gestational diabetes. The constant worry, the confusion about what to eat, the anxiety about my baby's health – it was overwhelming. But that's not just my story; 21 millions of women worldwide face the same challenge. And beyond pregnancy, there are over 460 million people living with diabetes globally, and the numbers are rising. The healthcare system is overloaded, and individuals like me are left with inadequate support."

How do you convince a pharmaceutical company, a health insurance company or another potential client to set up a pilot project with you?

ZenZen is not just another health tech startup; we want to change the way how diabetes is managed . Here's why you should consider a pilot project with us:

1. Our solution goes beyond data tracking, offering personalized support and emotional assistance for comprehensive diabetes management with Conversational AI.

2. We are co-developing our image recognition feature that reduces daily decisions from 180 to 20

3. We start with gestational diabetes patients but in the future we develop our app family for all individuals with diabetes, our solution is adaptable and scalable, ensuring long-term impact and relevance.

4. ZenZen offers direct benefits, from improved patient outcomes to reduced healthcare costs."

Who are your current customer (groups) and who do you want your potential customers to be?

"Our beta test is set to launch, partnering with medical professionals - diabetes nurses, diabetes educators, gynaecologists - and industry leaders like Garmin Dexcom, and Oura ring. This not only validates our product but also sets the stage for global expansion. We start with a B2C, subscription based model. Meanwhile our aim is medical device certification and collaboration with health insurance companies in a B2B2C model making ZenZen accessible to millions."

Where do you see yourself in 3 years and how can 5-HT support you?

"In three years, ZenZen sees itself at the forefront of global diabetes management. We envision partnerships with key healthcare players and a user base beyond gestational diabetes. 5-HT's support will be crucial in navigating regulations, accelerating product development, and fostering connections within the healthcare ecosystem, propelling ZenZen to new heights."

You participated in the Insuring Digital Health in October 2023. What is your impression of the event and what have you gained (so far) from participating?

"Initially, I was apprehensive about pitching to health insurance companies, but to my surprise, it turned out exceptionally well. They were not only supportive but also displayed genuine curiosity and a collaborative spirit. Events like these are pivotal for health tech startups. A big shoutout to the organizers at 5-HT – the experience was fantastic, and the event was impeccably organized. It was undoubtedly worth the 12-hour train ride. Thank you!"