Connect, tap, test: Hyd start-up Vivalyf Innovations glucometer hopes to make glucose tests painless

While going through all the trauma, Varshitha decided that she would find an alternate and easy way to do the test. While a fair idea had been formulated in her head, she began working on the idea of a contactless glucometer in December 2020 along with Vimal Kumar. Together, the two co-founded Vivalyf Innovations.

Vivalyf has developed a non-invasive glucometer that does not require taking blood samples. Their product is called EzLyf. It is a non-invasive, no blood, no pain, device for checking your glucose levels. "It is a one-time investment and a very user-friendly device. All one needs to do is connect, tap and test," Varshita explained.

"The device uses a spectroscopic method of recording glucose levels in the blood," Vimal added.

After tapping the finger on the device, the sugar levels will be displayed on the app within 60 seconds. "Blood glucose levels, HbA1c levels, and other analytics will be accessible on the app," said Varshita. While the product hasn't been launched yet and is possibly the first-of-its-kind, it is expected to hit the markets by the end of this year. Currently, the device is undergoing pre-clinical trials.

"I am using the device and I have found it to be extremely comfortable," Varshita added.

"Several people can use one glucometer since it works just by tapping one's finger. Additionally, we are trying to price the product as low as possible. We understand how difficult it is for people to pay for sugar tests," Varshita said adding that they are planning to price the EzLyf device between Rs. 3,000- 4,000.

Vimal and Varshitha met at Decathlon. "I saw how much Varshitha suffered from the sugar tests there. It was her idea to create something painless. My father is diabetic, too, so I can understand the pain," Vimal said. The two began Vivalyf Innovations, which is a health care start-up incubated with the University of Hyderabad, in December 2020.

Varshitha pointed out that in 2021, diabetes killed 6.7 million people across the world, with four out of five diabetics living in low-income countries. "Traditional blood sugar monitoring methods are both expensive and inconvenient," she said.

EzLyf stands out as a more painless plug-and-play glucose monitoring system at the tip of one's fingers in the health care market.

Vivalyf on Shark Tank

Ezlyf made its way to season one of Shark Tank India and it also struck a deal with Anupam Mittal and Peyush Bansal. Varshita and Vimal asked for Rs. 56 lakh for 7.5% equity with Vivalyf Innovation company valued at nearly Rs. 7 crore. However, they were offered Rs. 56 lakh for 33.33% equity and they took it.

"After Shark Tank, it has been phenomenal. We have been learning so much from Anupam and Peyush," Varshitha said. She also said that after the episode was aired, several people from across the country called her to share the many woes of being a diabetic. "A lot of people do not speak about it as they are worried about the stigma. But it was amazing to see so many people break that stigma and speak about it," she added.

In addition to scoring a deal at Shark Tank India, Vivalyf Innovations is the winner of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Women Global Pitch Competition, Hyderabad chapter, for the best start-up pitch 2021. The company has also been named one of the top nine upcoming healthcare start-ups of 2021 by the government of India's flagship project to establish and foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, the Atal Innovation Mission, amongst several other achievements.