Diabetes: Small cactus, an application from here to simplify life

The application has a small cactus name. Nevertheless, It combines innovative tools for managing diabetes. Furthermore, This project goes to Alain Simard, a resident of Kingsey Falls. Therefore, A native of Quebec, he has been working at Cascades for 28 years. Meanwhile, “I have green blood, I am a real stuntman,” he said in an interview with the www.lanouvelle.net.

A specific event led to the creation of the application. Moreover, Two of her four children, two girls, received a diabetes type 1 diabetes in the same weekend.

“I had seen a statistic showing that people who do not manage their diabetes well can reduce their life. However, expectancy by eight years. Similarly, It came to pick me up, ”he says.

The adventure took off at that time. Moreover, And why the name Small cactus for the application? Consequently, Alain Simard’s two daughters diabetes: small cactus, application here received two small cacti from a nurse, a symbol for life in difficult environments.

The founder joined forces with two other people, including Alexandre Landry, a developer at Cascades at this time. In addition, “We are three with each of our strengths,” he said.

Small cactus is responsible for allowing people with diabetes to find a life as normal as possible. Moreover, The application wishes to restore control over their health and their daily life through innovative features.

More than a tool. Meanwhile, we imagine little cacti as a real companion in the daily journey of people living with diabetes.

Small cactus combines different tools: a food journal. For example, a virtual assistant for personalized advice, a carbohydrate calculator of meals by photo and the search for carbohydrates, simplified monitoring of blood sugar.

Small cactus is also a platform for researchers and professionals. For example, “It’s new, it didn’t exist,” diabetes: small cactus, application here said Alain Simard. Additionally, For example, the professional can click my daughter’s name and has access to her glycemic curve, what she ate. In addition, »»

Alain Simard has been working on this project for several years. Consequently, And he followed the precious advice of a sommity in the matter, the endocrinologist, Dr. For example, Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret who had let him know that if he wanted to succeed with his application. Similarly, he had to be supported by science and research. Nevertheless, “That’s why we came into contact with McGill University. I work with lots of people who have doctorates. When you decide to launch a platform focused on health. children, you have no choice but to be super solid. You can’t go wrong. So we have surrounded ourselves well, ”he says.

Diabetes: small cactus, application here

Visibility – Diabetes: small cactus, application here

The Petit Cactus application can be downloaded since December on Applestore and Google diabetes: small cactus, application here Play.

It is intended for patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes. People with type 1 must inject insulin to meals. “Type 1 represents 10% of all people who have diabetes,” says Alain Simard and type 2 without insulin affects 90% of diabetics. With the application, patients enter their data and doctors then have access to it. »»

The recent passage of Alain Simard. Alexandre Landry on the television show In the dragon eye made it possible to shed light on the application, the number of downloads of which increased from 400 to 1200 following the broadcast of the program. “The goal was not so much the obtaining of support as the visibility that the program brings. They all tripped the idea. We received good comments, but one of the dragons said we didn’t ask enough. No question for us to give everything to foreigners when it has been four. diabetes: small cactus, application here five years that we work body and soul to this project, ”pleads Alain Simard.

Never mind, shortly after this passage in front of the dragons, Petit Cactus found an interesting investor. “Someone who knows my two daughters and who invests with his heart,” he observes.

In the spotlight

The Petit Cactus team has something to rejoice. After her victories on the local. then regional scene, she won the great honors at the national level of the Darentreprendre competition in the category services to individuals, thus deserving a prize of $ 10,000.

“We don’t do it for that, but it is heart -warmed when we are recognized,” says Alain Simard.

Internationally

Small cactus does not intend to limit itself to the country. The company participated, in February, in Amsterdam, in the Congress of the ATTD. “This is the largest technological congress in the world in diabetes. We held a kiosk to diabetes: small cactus, application here talk about the business. At one point, recalls Alain Simard, there were endocrinologists from Greece and Germany psychologists who were very interested. All these people want to be contacted. »»

Small cactus also works with the Carrefour Québec International. “They help us export our thing. They analyzed the criteria, looked at which countries could correspond and France and Spain were identified. It would be the first, says Alain Simard. We are currently depositing a trademark for them. »»

But the co -founder does not hide that the idea is to serve Europe in full. “Lots of things go by which I would never have thought,” he says.

Pitching bamboo

Small cacti does not punch millions of dollars, for the moment, at least. But the idea is first of all to set up well.

To this end. Alain Simard has in mind this story of a father who gives his heritage diabetes: small cactus, application here to his two sons: one decides to plant spruce that grows quickly and the other, bamboo that put some time before appearing. “And the bamboo pushes it when cut. We, for four or five years, he image, we plant bamboo. I see shoots coming out with solid roots. The roots, for me, are all the scientists and the doctors around us. »»

Knowing how to surround yourself well, this recipe, Alain Simard finds it at Cascades. “I learned from Cascade. by managing different projects, that we must surround ourselves of the best, speak with your heart and be true. It’s a bit of our recipe. Culture Cascades helped me, ”he admits, while welcoming the leaders, including Alain Lemaire, who supported him in his project. “Everything that Alain was able to set up with her brothers, I inspire it with my business. Values, culture, place human beings above all and speak diabetes: small cactus, application here with their hearts. And if we can also inspire people. it is even more paying in my eyes than having success with my business, ”he concludes.