Breaking Barriers in Sexual Health: An Interview with the Founders of ZULTS
In an era where technology is advancing at breakneck speed and access to digital resources is nearly universal, it’s surprising to discover that many individuals still find discussing sexual health to be uncomfortable or even taboo. This disconnect has contributed to rising rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions that make sexual health conversations easier and more accessible. Enter ZULTS—a groundbreaking platform designed to eliminate the stigma and awkwardness surrounding the sharing and management of sexual health information.
In this insightful interview, we sit down with Georgia Di Mattos and Bianca Dunne, the dynamic duo behind ZULTS, to explore the origins and evolution of their revolutionary platform. From the inspiration that sparked their journey to the technological innovations and strategic partnerships that set ZULTS apart, our conversation delves into how they’re transforming the landscape of sexual health and wellness. Discover the pivotal moments that shaped their vision, the challenges they faced along the way, and their ambitious plans for the future. Through their story, we gain a deeper understanding of how ZULTS is not just changing how we manage our health but also reshaping social discourse around sexual wellness.
What inspired the creation of ZULTS, and what specific need or problem in the realm of sexual health and wellness does it aim to address?
GDM: The inspiration behind ZULTS came from a profound desire to change the way we approach sexual health. Despite living in a world where new technologies are created all the time and easy access to tech is everywhere, we realized that people are still embarrassed when talking about sexual health and this lack of conversation is directly linked to the rising rates of STIs.
We decided to leverage this technology to address a real problem. So we’ve spent over 5 years developing a platform to help remove the shame, stigma, and awkwardness when sharing or requesting sexual health results, making it easier for people to discuss and manage their sexual health.
You originally launched the iPlaySafe, could you elaborate on the pivotal moment when the idea for iPlaySafe emerged during a conversation about STIs and the need for a service like this?
GDM: It all started when Bianca and I were on maternity leave, having countless coffees in Richmond while brainstorming business ideas. One day, during one of our coffee breaks, a single friend joined us. She started talking about her dating life as a single woman in her mid-30s and shared a story about a guy she met on a dating app the night before. She really wanted to ask to see his STI test results, but felt it was way too awkward and embarrassing to bring up. Now, she was sitting with us, worried that she needed to get tested.
That was our light bulb moment. We realised we needed to make these conversations easier so people wouldn’t avoid them. Create a technology that would do that conversation for her. That’s how the idea for Zults was born—to help people have those important, but often awkward, discussions about sexual health.
Considering the initial investment and launch of iPlaySafe, what were some of the key challenges you encountered in the early stages, and how did you navigate them?
GDM: Starting a business is always a fascinating journey, and it’s incredible to look back on how far we’ve come. Initially, after launching iPlaySafe and investing heavily in its development and branding, we realised that our primary focus needed to shift. The turning point came a few weeks into the launch when we understood that being both a medical device technology developer and a home STI test provider was spreading us way too thin.
We needed to focus on the technology and reach a broader audience to achieve our mission of changing behaviours around sexual health conversations and reducing STI rates. That’s when we decided to partner with a trusted and free home testing provider, Sexual Health London. This partnership allowed us to concentrate on enhancing our tech communication tool to offer it as an add-on service to STI testing providers.
The name and branding of iPlaySafe also presented challenges. Feedback indicated that ‘iPlaySafe’ sounded too much like a ‘hookup’ or ‘sex app,’ which wasn’t the image we wanted. Additionally, our online presence faced daily challenges due to restrictions on platforms like META. So, we spent countless hours refining our name and branding, eventually landing on Zults. We are confident that this new direction and focus on sharing ‘rezults’ with Zults puts us on the right path to achieving our goals.
Could you elaborate on how ZULTS works and the process of transferring and sharing medical data and STI test results through the platform?
BD: Create an account with Sexual Health London (SHL), order a free home STI testing kit, and receive your results—all within your SHL account. Once you have your STI results, you can generate a link to those results. (Results older than 3 months are not valid). This link can be used in your Zults account to transfer your medical information into a visually appealing and easily shareable ‘rezults’ card.
Your ‘rezults’ can be shared in various ways—via link, user search, QR code, or Bluetooth. You can also add your ‘rezults’ to Apple or Google Wallet for quick access and share them with anyone you choose, even those who don’t have the app.
Considering the rising rates of STIs globally, how does ZULTS contribute to promoting safer sexual practices and reducing stigma associated with sexual health and testing?
BD: By simplifying the sharing and requesting of STI results, Zults is set to transform health management.
Safe sex practices involve multiple layers of protection. Condoms are one layer, proactive testing is another, and knowing both your and your partner’s status is an essential layer of protection. However, many people still avoid sexual health conversations because they find them too awkward. Zults facilitates these conversations, making it easier to use this knowledge as an additional layer of protection.
Today, we face a critical situation with rising STI rates. Bacterial infections like gonorrhoea and chlamydia are often overlooked and are becoming more resistant to antibiotics. It’s imperative that we control these rates through safe sex practices, better education and open communication about our sexual health. These conversations shouldn’t be avoided. Being open and honest with each other is key to better sexual health for everyone.
How does ZULTS ensure the security and privacy of users’ sensitive medical information while facilitating the sharing of their sexual health data?
GDM: Ensuring the security and privacy of our users’ sensitive medical information is paramount for us. From the very beginning, we implemented robust safety measures. Our software complies with the European Commission (EC) Directive 93/42/EEC (Medical Devices Directive) and is designed in accordance with the following standards:
- ISO 13485:2016: Medical devices – Quality Management System
- DBC0129: Clinical Risk Management: its Application in the Manufacture of Health IT Systems
- DBC0160: Clinical Risk Management: its Application in the Deployment and Use of Health IT Systems
- ICE 62304:2006 Amd 1:2015: Medical Device Software
While Zults may seem like a simple app, it is backed by years of development and extensive documentation. Zults retains transferred medical information only for the duration of the active ‘rezults card’ (up to 3 months), after which all data is deleted. During this retention period, all data is duo-encrypted. Additionally, we have integrated safety measures throughout our design process and continue to enhance these measures.
Can you discuss the significance of ZULTS’ compatibility with Sexual Health London (SHL) and its partnership with other healthcare providers in broadening access to its platform?
BD: Partnering with SHL is huge for us. SHL is one of the largest providers of free home STI testing in the UK. We’ve been wanting to work with SHL, which is backed by the NHS, since our inception, and the team has been incredibly supportive. Having their support means that we can reach a wider audience and demographic here in London, an area identified as having high STI infection rates. Working with SHL was our priority for launch, and we’re also in discussions with other providers to roll out nationwide. It’s a really exciting time for us, and we’re incredibly proud and excited because by making this service accessible to everyone, we can finally start making a real difference in helping reduce rising STI rates.
What sets ZULTS apart from other health tech apps in terms of user-friendliness, accessibility, and visual appeal?
GDM: Zults is a game-changer in the sexual health tech world because there’s nothing like it. We’re the first to bring this kind of app to the market, specifically for sharing and managing sexual health information.
One of the things that makes Zults stand out is how easy it is to use. The app is designed so you don’t have to be tech-savvy to navigate it.
Accessibility is another big plus. Zults lets you share your ‘rezults’ in multiple ways and even with someone that doesn’t have the app—which makes it really convenient.
When it comes to visual appeal, we are proud to say: Zults takes the cake! We turn medical info into dating friendly and visually appealing ‘rezults’ cards. The app’s sleek and modern design just makes the whole experience better.
In what ways does ZULTS contribute to empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their sexual health through greater sexual education and transparency?
GDM: Zults empowers individuals by providing a technology that facilitates transparency, helping users with those awkward conversations about sexual health. Our focus is on making it easier for users to securely share their health information without embarrassment. By promoting proactive testing and open communication, Zults helps users make informed decisions about their sexual health, ultimately contributing to the reduction of rising STI rates.
How do you envision ZULTS revolutionising personal health management and reshaping social discourse surrounding sexual health in the long term?
GDM: We envision Zults revolutionising sexual health management by making it incredibly easy and secure for individuals to manage, share and request sexual health information. By providing a seamless platform for accessing and sharing STI ‘rezults’, Zults empowers users to take control of their sexual health in a proactive and informed way.
In the long term, Zults aims to normalise these important conversations. By removing the stigma and awkwardness often associated with discussing sexual health. This cultural shift will not only lead to better sexual health management but also contribute to broader public health efforts to reduce STI rates and promote overall wellness. Through continuous innovation and expansion, ZULTS is committed to setting new standards in sexual health management and ensuring that these vital conversations become a routine part of everyday life.
Lastly, what are ZULTS’ future plans for expansion and development, particularly in terms of incorporating additional sexual health providers into its platform and enhancing its features?
BD: In terms of enhancing features, the next six months are going to be particularly exciting. We’re working on incorporating additional tests, including viral load counting for people with HIV. This will provide information about their undetectable status, emphasising that undetectable equals untransmittable (U=U). Additionally, we will be introducing Vaccination cards for sexual health-related vaccines such as the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine, Hepatitis B vaccine, Hepatitis A vaccine, and the Monkeypox vaccine. These new features will give users a more comprehensive view of their sexual health, making it easier to manage and share important health information.
By expanding our network of providers and continuously improving our features, we aim to help even more people have those crucial conversations about sexual health. This will help break down barriers and promote better health outcomes worldwide