Auggi

Auggi, also known as augGI Technologies, Inc., operated as a digital health company focused on the gastroenterology sector, founded in 2018 by David Hachuel, Alfonso Martinez, and Cherry Gao. The founding team's expertise was a blend of technology and healthcare; David Hachuel, who served as CEO, holds a Master's in Computer and Information Science from Cornell University and an MPH in Epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health. His personal struggles with chronic gut issues fueled the company's mission. The company was a 2019 Startup Award winner from Cornell Tech, where it was developed during the Startup Studio program.

The company developed a digital health assistant to help patients and providers manage chronic gut disorders, particularly Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Its core technology centered on a mobile application that allowed users to track their diet, symptoms, and stool. A key feature was the use of artificial intelligence and computer vision to analyze smartphone pictures of stool. These deep learning algorithms could automatically classify stool with 94.07% accuracy according to the Bristol Stool Chart, a recognized diagnostic tool, transforming a subjective and often inconsistent reporting process into objective, quantifiable data. This data aimed to provide actionable insights for both patients and their healthcare providers, creating a more seamless and effective care experience.

The business operated in the digital health market, serving individuals with chronic gut conditions and the clinical research field. The mobile application and its underlying technology were designed to improve data collection for clinical trials. The company's assets included its AI algorithm, a mobile monitoring application, and the world's largest stool image database, which was amassed through a 2019 community science initiative. In February 2021, microbial sciences company Seed Health acquired Auggi, including its technology and assets. Seed Health intended to integrate Auggi's application into its own clinical trials to improve adherence and outcomes, and to develop new consumer-facing digital health products.

Keywords: gut health, digital health, augmented gastroenterology, stool analysis, artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, IBS, clinical research, mobile health, symptom tracker, digestive health, Cornell Tech, David Hachuel, Seed Health, gastroenterology technology, health tech, microbiome, patient monitoring