[NE Coffee Chat] The 'Digital Supplement' You Take Anywhere... Digital Nutrition 'Soundfeel'

Interview with Kim Nayoung, CEO of Digital Nutrition
Effectiveness Proven through Papers, Statistical Analysis, and Clinical Trials
Aiming to Develop Personalized Solutions

Editor's NoteAsia Economy supports the sustainable growth of startups. This is through the ‘Coffee Chat Project’ conducted in collaboration with the startup accelerator Next Elevation. Asia Economy and Next Elevation introduce promising startups every month in the form of ‘Coffee Chat.’ The interviews cover founding motivations, business models, and future plans. Through this, they aim to enhance understanding of the overall startup ecosystem and seek solutions to challenges faced by startup companies.

In modern society, the importance of health management is growing. Many people take nutritional supplements containing various nutrients in the form of capsules, tablets, or drinks. However, the cost burden and the difficulty of managing them amid busy schedules are real challenges. Digital Nutrition is a startup that addresses these issues by providing health solutions through various sounds. They create so-called ‘digital supplements’ that can be easily used anytime and anywhere via smartphones, tablet PCs, and other devices.

Kim Nayoung, CEO of Digital Nutrition, is talking about the development process of 'Soundfeel' in an interview with Asia Economy. Photo by Heo Younghan

Kim Nayoung, CEO of Digital Nutrition, stated on the 29th, “We want to create a world where people receive positive effects through sound in the simplest way and manage their health while listening to music as part of their daily lives.”

Kim, who majored in business administration at university, focused on the various effects of ‘auditory stimulation’ while analyzing trends in various markets with the dream of starting a business. She said, “One day, I couldn’t sleep well, so I played bird sounds and rain sounds on YouTube, and I really fell asleep. Since then, whenever I couldn’t sleep, I looked for similar sounds. I decided to create sounds that would be effective for everyone in daily life.” While reviewing research materials, Kim learned that stimulating hearing is more effective for mental health than visual stimulation. She then approached ‘Aseptic,’ an investment firm in the bio-healthcare sector, explained her business, and gained their trust to collaborate.

Digital Nutrition developed SoundFeel, which focuses on four core functions: stress relief, concentration enhancement, appetite suppression, and sleep induction. First, based on the latest research in neuroscience, psychology, and acoustics, they analyze how sounds affect stress, concentration, sleep, and mood. Kim explained, “For example, we analyze the frequencies, beats per minute (BPM), and melody wavelengths that make up the most effective and optimized sound for stress relief one by one. We study the optimal range for production, compile clinical trial papers, and perform statistical analysis to derive the best range. Sound engineers design the sound down to the second, and after production with researchers, clinical trials are conducted to verify the functional effects.” It took about two years to complete the four categories included in SoundFeel.

Kim emphasized that SoundFeel is particularly based on medical evidence. She said, “We are evaluating the clinical effects of digital supplements with 1,000 specialists across various medical departments.” She added, “To provide more customized solutions tailored to users’ health characteristics, we are working with AI and data analysis experts.” The design and planning of clinical trials are approved and conducted under the Ministry of Health and Welfare. In August, they began clinical trials involving real-time brainwave measurement. Kim explained, “Unlike general supplements, which may cause side effects if taken without knowing one’s physical condition, digital supplements stimulate the senses to promote health improvement, so they have the advantage of no side effects.”

The sounds produced in this way can be downloaded to smartphones and experienced in daily life. Some hospitals have been supplied with sounds for pain relief, heart rate control, and background music for procedure rooms. Additionally, through cooperation with insurance companies, they provide function-specific sounds to customers and have installed sounds in rental massage chairs so customers can enjoy the sounds while relaxing, thereby expanding their customer base.

The long-term goal is to develop the SoundFeel experience into a personalized form. Kim said, “Our clinical evidence showed that specific hertz, BPM, and melodies were most effective, but when slightly modified for certain individuals, the effects were either enhanced or reduced. If AI learns this, it can increasingly tailor the sounds to the individual.” She added, “We want to build a system that provides optimized sounds to users worldwide.”

Kim Nayoung, CEO of Digital Nutrition, is demonstrating the features of 'Soundfeel'. Photo by Heo Younghan