Female Founder shares her development of real-time hydration tests to boost performance and health

Lisa has found the solution in her Startup Ihydrate, a simple, cost-effective, saliva-based hydration test that replaces intrusive blood or urine testing.

Lisa established Ihydrate in July 2021, with the assistance of co-founders of the successful data analytics start-up Hivery, Jason Hosking and Frank Chamaki, and CEO of Global Surgical Innovations, Dr Philip Boughton. Their solution monitors dehydration using micro fluidic paper to measure the hydration properties of saliva. It’s non-intrusive, portable, low cost and simple, with real-time results provided via smartphone app to sports coaches, carers and OH&S teams.

Working with the Australian Institute of sport, professional athletes, medical professionals, industry groups and the elderly, Ihydrate has tapped into a missing link in a diverse yet nuanced market. Through connecting with the Newcastle entrepreneurial ecosystem, Lisa is working to reduce dehydration across the community and eliminate the risks which accompany it, such as impaired cognitive function and physical performance.

At I2N's Startup Stories at Honeysuckle Q Building on Wednesday 16 March, Lisa shared her story of establishing Ihydrate, tapping into the Newcastle region and how being a part of I2Ns Female Founders Program has helped on her Startup journey.

Catch up on Startup Stories with Lisa Winn

Top takeaways:

• The ideas Lisa had in her corporate career that she could never let go of—the ones that often brought her the most challenges—can often end up being the ones that are the most successful. Keep hold of those ideas.
• Trust the skills you have developed from your career or background. Push back against the imposter syndrome we all feel and understand what skills you do have and what you can bring to the project; you know more than you think.
• When going from corporate into Startup, scale it at your own pace. When working with investors and businesses, relationships where there can sometimes be a lot of natural tension, make sure the priorities and ideas of others don’t conflict with your own so that you remain in control of the direction of your Startup.
• The virtual circle of mentors from Lisa’s affiliation with I2N has been invaluable, and that includes becoming a mentor herself. You can get invaluable mentorship as a Venture Mentor Service (VMS) participant.

The University of Newcastle's I2N works with individuals and organisations from across the Hunter region and beyond to turn ideas and challenges into opportunity. As a leading driver of economic and business growth, the I2N cultivates an entrepreneurial mindset that is behind many of the region's most innovative businesses and leaders.