< back to articles
FOODLYNX: data at the service of digestive health
Published on
Read the testimonial ofAntoine Barberin, one of the beneficiaries of the Bourses Jeunes Pousses Entrepreneuriat 2026seed grants financed by Jean L. Lamy. He talks about the genesis of FoodLynx, a project at the crossroads of e-health and FoodTech, aimed at improving the management of digestive disorders.
A new approach to digestive health
FoodLynx tackles a public health issue that is still largely underestimated: functional intestinal disorders, which affect several million people in France. The facts are clear: diagnostic procedures are long, complex and often ineffective.
The project proposes a data-centric approach. The aim is to reduce medical wanderingby analyzing patients’ dietary habits, symptoms and environment, so as to guide them more rapidly towards a relevant diagnosis. This approach saves time for both patients and healthcare professionals. It also aims to make dietary recommendations more accessible on a day-to-day basis.
A project built
with the land
FoodLynx is not starting from scratch. It is based on a first entrepreneurial experience: Allergenius. Initially conceived as a “Yuka for food allergies”.
▬ “We realized that many users were using the app not for allergies, but for digestive disorders.”
In addition, he makes a twofold observation: there is a lot of medical wandering and a lack of support.
▬ “There’s an average of five years between the first symptoms and a diagnosis […] You’re told to stop eating gluten, but no one really explains how to do it.”
These limitations led them to evolve their approach for FoodLynx. This new solution is broader in scope, focusing on pre-diagnosis andsupport for chronic digestive diseases.
From analysis to guidance: a trusted third party
FoodLynx’s ambition is to become a truly trusted third party in digestive health. The solution is based on correlating dietary data, symptoms and environmental factors.
▬ “Making predictions […] and cross-referencing them with symptoms to point towards a probable disease.”
The tool does not replace medical diagnosis. Rather, it can help to identify possible solutions anddirect users to the right healthcare professionals. Eventually, the platform will also offer support services such as nutritional recommendations, educational content and everyday tools. The aim is twofold: to simplify the healthcare process and help people make dietary changes.
A strategy born of learning
The FoodLynx project is a continuation of Allergenius, but with a different positioning. The team has drawn concrete lessons from this first experience.
▬ “We had a product that people loved, but we had trouble monetizing it.”
This time, the approach is reversed. The team first seeks to validate the market before investing heavily in development. This more structured approach aims to secure the business model right from the start.
▬ “We want to understand why people would be willing to pay before building.”
A complementary, committed team
The project is led by Aude Devilderfrom the agri-food and consulting sectors, and Antoine Barberina student engineer at ISAE-SUPAERO specializing in artificial intelligence and data science. Their collaboration is built around Allergenius.
▬ “It went really well […] we decided to go back together on this new project.”
Around them, an ecosystem of advisors is being set up, with technical, medical and business profiles. This gradual structuring reinforces the credibility of the project.
A structured launch strategy
Today, FoodLynx is in the structuring phase. The objective is clear: to obtain initial market validation. The team is exchanging ideas with several players, notably mutual insurance companies, to test the solution’s appeal. “We’re concentrating our efforts on a POC agreement before developing.”
The business model is based on a simple observation: the cost of medical errancy is considerable. Reducing this delay would generate significant savings for insurers. At the same time, technical development is progressing, with the first algorithm already up and running.
The stock market as a launch pad
The Jeunes Pousses Entrepreneuriat grant plays a key role in this phase. It provides funding for structuring elements such as visual identity, communication, initial marketing initiatives, as well as administrative costs associated with setting up the company. Over and above the financial aspect, the selection panel also provides a form of validation. This recognition marks a milestone: the transition from a student project to a genuine entrepreneurial venture.
The message to donors: inspire entrepreneurial spirit
For Antoine Barberin, the impact of the grant goes far beyond its amount.
▬ “That was the trigger that made me say to myself: I can really launch this.”
He also stresses the importance of the ISAE-SUPAERO ecosystem, which encourages initiative and provides a useful critical eye.
▬ “Honesty and direct feedback help enormously when you’re undertaking.”
After a first experience marked by difficulties, the team is leaving with a clearer vision and reinforced determination.
FoodLynx is part of this dynamic. It’s a project in the making, based on learning, resilience and a strong ambition: to bring about concrete improvements in the management of digestive disorders.
You too can support entrepreneurship and tomorrow’s innovators.