Medtech start-up launches campaign for algorithm-based diabetes app

Quin, a female-founded, digital health start-up based in London, has launched a crowdfunding campaign for its AI-driven medical app. The Quin app is set to revolutionise diabetes management by using algorithmic insights to help decide when and how much insulin to take. 

The campaign, which aims to raise £600,000. Investors across the UK and Europe can invest as little as £10. The funds raised will be used for further app development and product launch. 

Since its start-up Quin has raised £2 million in grants and angel funding, recruited hundreds of beta testers, and launched its ML research partnership with the University of Bristol. Accolades include winning the Diabetes Center Berne Start-up stage competition, being selected for the Apple Entrepreneur Camp, and being used as a case study by government-funding body, Innovate UK. Quin has also filed two patents and launched the beta programme in five additional European countries. 

The latest figures from Diabetes UK indicate that 4.7 million people in the UK alone live with diabetes. Of that group, 92% who take insulin are unable to achieve their recommended target blood glucose levels, despite their best efforts. The number of people experiencing complications from diabetes, such as dehydration and metabolic abnormalities, is rising.

Insulin therapy relies heavily on individual judgement to determine the appropriate dosage of insulin. People with diabetes have to figure it out on their own, making hundreds of decisions a day, through trial and error. The Quin app aims to humanise diabetes technology by utilising the experience of people who take insulin to create a more personalised insulin treatment regime. It uses a machine learning (ML) algorithm from existing diabetes-management devices, sensors and phones to help people decide how much insulin is right for them, and when best to take it. 

Quin CEO and co-founder, Cyndi Williams, said: “With the funds we hope to raise, we want to help people take back control and find their personal balance by reducing the self-care decision-making load. We are therefore opening our doors to those who want to invest in our future growth and invite everyone to become a partner in this noble initiative.”