Nutrix: Worker Stress Monitoring - Backed by Mayo Clinic

The Significant Financial Impact of Workplace Stress

Stress isn't merely detrimental to individual well-being; it also represents a substantial financial burden for businesses. The American Institute of Stress estimates that U.S. companies lose over $300 billion each year due to factors linked to workplace stress, including absenteeism and reduced productivity.

Monitoring cortisol levels is a recognized method for assessing stress. This understanding has even permeated popular culture, as evidenced by the trending "cortisol face" topic on TikTok.

Introducing cortiSense: A Novel Cortisol Monitoring Device

However, a truly scientific approach necessitates tracking cortisol fluctuations throughout the day, as these variations are the most informative.

Maria Hahn, CEO of Nutrix, explains that cortisol levels should ideally be at their lowest point by day's end.

Her company’s innovative cortiSense device, which measures cortisol in saliva, recently received the CES Innovation Award 2025 within the Digital Health category.

Providing individuals with a home-use device offers greater convenience than clinic visits. It also enables cortisol level tracking immediately upon waking, as Hahn shared with TechCrunch.

Technology and Integration

cortiSense was developed in collaboration with the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland.

The device seamlessly integrates with Nutrix’s gSense digital health platform.

gSense offers a comprehensive suite of features, including continuous glucose monitoring, AI-driven dietary guidance, and telemedicine services.

Expanding Beyond Diabetes

This development builds upon Nutrix’s initial focus on diabetes management.

While the hardware roadmap shifted towards cortiSense, the company remains dedicated to addressing chronic diseases.

Hahn emphasizes that cortisol regulates numerous other hormones, playing a vital role in both mental and metabolic health.

Funding and Partnerships

Nutrix has secured $4 million in funding to date, including a recent $2.5 million seed round led by Simpact and OIST-Lifetime Ventures.

The company also gained support from Swiss innovation agency Innosuisse and attracted investment from the Mayo Clinic following a meeting at CES 2024.

Future Expansion Plans

Nutrix is currently preparing for a Series A funding round to support its expansion initiatives.

The seed funding has already facilitated the U.S. launch of cortiSense, with plans to establish offices in Silicon Valley with the support of the Mayo Clinic.

Nutrix has a history of successful market expansion; its gSense platform is already integrated with the public insurance system in Chile, following support from Start-Up Chile.

In 2024, the company also initiated operations in Mexico and Peru.

Addressing Corporate Wellness

A new challenge for Nutrix is navigating potential resistance to a model that targets corporations.

In countries like Chile, Mexico, and Peru, employee health screenings are often an employer’s responsibility, with strict privacy safeguards for personal health data.

Hahn anticipates the need to continually clarify that Nutrix will only provide companies with aggregated data as it expands into the U.S. market.

While framing the economic costs of job stress may seem insensitive to some, it underscores the importance of prioritizing mental health.