Inventor Series: Biostrap with Sameer Sontakey
If you had the ability to invent one specific thing, what would it be? This question, although simple in form, has led to the creation of several unique inventions throughout the previous centuries. For Sameer Sontakey, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Biostrap, this question first presented itself in the middle of a transition in his lifestyle.
The history of Biostrap
Upon graduation, Sameer had found himself struggling with his weight. A common struggle among many people today. He was able to lose nearly 80 lbs. but had always wished there was a technology that could have helped him throughout his journey. Having a background in software engineering, this was when he first realized a need for health data of some sort. This is what eventually led Sameer to create Biostrap as we know it today.
Family-owned business
Biostrap is a family-owned and run health-tech company, which adds to its uniqueness. Sameer and his father started the company, and shortly after, his sister joined as well. His father is the Chief Technology Officer and is primarily responsible for the technical side of the business. His sister handles all the finances and fulfillment of the products. For Sameer, as CEO, his focus is on business operations, manufacturing, and innovation.
What is Biostrap?
Biostrap is a wearable health platform that grants insight into users’ well-being, by capturing biometrics through near-infrared and red light optical sensors. This allows the technology to measure oxygen saturation levels in the blood among many other clinically validated biometrics. The unique technology takes a data-driven approach to health and well-being. This is accomplished through a set of sensors designed to be worn on the body in various locations depending on activity. Biostrap’s product portfolio includes a wristband, armband, a shoe pod, and an FDA-approved thermometer designed to monitor human physiology during sleep as well as throughout a variety of activities. Each of these products communicates directly with the Biostrap mobile app that was created to provide personalized insights into your health.
Because of this, the technology can be worn for a wide variety of different activities, making it so unique of its kind. Examples for use of Biostrap include overall health, fitness goals, sleep monitoring, and chronic disease management. In fact, when you look at their website, there isn’t a shortage of positive customer feedback. The reviews are split into categories, dependent upon the reason the user chose to use Biostrap, such as those mentioned above.
The technology began as a consumer-based product. The goal was to provide users the same information and data that their clinicians had and to ultimately become a check engine light for their health. It would provide users with data on their health vitals such as respiratory rate, heart rate, heart rate variability, and blood oxygen saturation. It also helps to monitor the user’s sleep habits. The information being relayed to the end-user could ultimately help them to make any modifications or lifestyle changes they see fit. With a product that is capable of monitoring so many different things, it’s bound to help you to notice any abnormalities or changes you need to make within your current lifestyle habits.
Biostrap plays a key role in various markets ranging from athletics, to sleep tracking, to medical, and your own personal well-being. And with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company has found itself quickly transitioning into a B2B, or business to business company. In fact, their business strategy looks to pivot to include enterprise and medical this upcoming year.
With the medical field being a new focus, they believe that the technology can be used to assist patients in pain management, addiction struggles, early identification of respiratory illness or any other health concerns that may become prevalent in their day-to-day lives.
Biostrap can help patients to monitor trends in their biometrics and any changes that may occur in those trends. In case of a negative change, it can prompt for early identification of a disease, which could encourage users to consider an intervention. In case of a positive change in biometric trends, on the other hand, it can serve as a reinforcement of a positive habit as well as help validate potential treatments. For instance, if you’re taking a medication for your heart, but haven’t noticed any significant changes in your body’s biometrics, then the treatment may not be working out as hoped.
Differentiating our product
The truth behind running a business is that “it’s a different challenge every day”, as stated by Sameer. For Biostrap, the biggest struggle they’ve faced was finding a way to differentiate their technology from others on the market. Because their product has so many unique features, it’s hard to distinguish one market or to say one specific purpose for Biostrap. The truth is the technology can be used for several different applications depending on what results the end-user is seeking. This is especially true when trying to market to a consumer. The challenge was telling the story of the technology and how it’s unique in comparison to others on the market. “It was difficult to tell our story in an efficient way that would really resonate with the customer,” Sameer stated. But being built as a research platform since day 1 has really helped them to establish themselves as a company.
Establish a need, then create a product
For Sameer, the biggest piece of advice he’d give to current inventors or innovators is to not just create a product because you feel it would be cool or unique. Create a product because you’ve distinguished a market for it. Many businesses and products fail today because the inventors didn’t first establish a need for the product, and they were created strictly out of the product’s uniqueness. “You shouldn’t waste your time creating a product that there isn’t a need for”. You should establish a need within a market, and then create your product as the solution.
As stated in their mission statement, “As the most advanced wearable health platform, our goal at Biostrap is to improve global health and empower individuals with their health data to live happier healthier lives.” Using this unique technology, many people are finding power in their potential, and able to tackle life’s obstacles they once thought weren’t fixable. If you’re interested in ordering a Biostrap or want to learn more about the technology, visit their website.
Meet the Author: Jaclyn King
Jaclyn is a Digital Marketing Specialist on the BTI Team. Her main job responsibilities involve inbound marketing, content creation, and social media management. To get to know more about Jaclyn, check her out on LinkedIn!