Ascensia Diabetes Challenge finalists announced

Ascensia Diabetes Care identified the six finalists in the Ascensia Diabetes Challenge. The worldwide competition aspires to find new strategies for managing type 2 diabetes, according to a company press release.

The six entries were selected from a pool of 116 submissions. Following a final presentation event, the winner will be announced at the American Diabetes Association 78th Scientific Sessions in June.

Challenge submissions came from North America, Asia and Europe. The finalists selected include Foodient by Whisk, an artificial intelligence product that connects patients to grocery stores; Glycoleap by Holmusk, a program that combines human coaching with mobile technology; Qstream by Harvard Medical, an online education platform that uses gamification to change patient behavior; My Diabetes Coach by Macadamian, a tool that uses Amazon’s Alexa for virtual coaching; Path Feel by Walk with Path, an insole that provides feedback while the wearer is walking; and xBird, software that combines historical blood glucose data and user movements to predict hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic events.

These entries came from both entrepreneurs and start-ups around the world, according to Michael Kloss, CEO of Ascensia Diabetes Care.

“We have been delighted by the quality and variety of the submissions we have received, which offer digital solutions that could revolutionize a number a number of aspects of type 2 diabetes management,” Kloss said in the release.

A €10,000 cash prize will be awarded to all six finalists to support their continued work on diabetes management solutions. After the finalist event, winners and runners-up will receive prizes from a total fund of €200,000. All will be given the opportunity to partner with Ascensia Diabetes Care. – by Melissa J. Webb