Eatsy: Google for Startups selected weight loss app seeks investment

Without much experience or capital, Nguyen Phuong Quang and his colleagues have successfully developed the weight loss support application Eatsy, conquering users in 27 countries. Eatsy is among the top 50 technology startups in Vietnam selected to participate in the Google for Startups program, Startup Academy Vietnam in 2022.

Eatsy, a weight loss application, has garnered impressive traction in Vietnam, with over 500,000 downloads across the Apple Store and Google Play. This popularity translates to real results – over 22,000 users have successfully shed weight using the app, averaging a loss of 5 kg each.

Eatsy's impact has even reached the World Bank, which recently recognized it as one of the most downloaded health apps in Vietnam. "While population-based data is unavailable," the World Bank noted, "recent market surveys show a surge in fitness app downloads. Alongside global players, Vietnamese apps like Eatsy are catering to local needs."

The driving force behind Eatsy is Nguyen Phuong Quang, an architect by profession but a tech enthusiast at heart. Despite lacking formal IT training, Quang's passion for technology and a desire to empower his community fueled his entrepreneurial spirit.

"My health was declining," Quang shared. "At nearly 90 kg, even playing with my child for 30 minutes left me exhausted. A close friend also faced a health scare with his mother. These experiences motivated me and my friend to create a tech product that could improve health outcomes – not just for ourselves, but for family, friends, and the wider community."

Obesity in Vietnam is increasing and trending towards younger people. People with obesity often encounter many obstacles in work and life. Quang also used to lack confidence, often receiving malicious looks and slurs, and his work was also affected. Quang wanted to do something to change, help himself and those around him become healthier, and lose weight more easily, and the first thing he thought of was building a weight loss technology product.

Nguyen Phuong Quang, embarked on his entrepreneurial journey with an initial investment of nearly 200 million VND (approximately $8,700) in June 2020. Fueled by enthusiasm and an optimistic timeline of six months to develop and launch a successful health app, Quang and his team poured their resources into the project. However, the initial learning curve proved steeper than anticipated. After six months of dedicated effort, their initial funding was depleted without a finished product. Reflecting on this period, Quang acknowledges, "We were certainly naive in our initial approach."

Despite the setback, Quang and his team remained undeterred. Their lack of deep technical knowledge and experience presented significant challenges, but they were unwavering in their commitment. Quang emphasizes, "There have been no regrets. I take pride in my boldness and the freedom to pursue my passion." This determination fueled their continued exploration of software development solutions. Additionally, their efforts garnered essential capital support from a network of friends, relatives, and investors.

Finally, in November 2021, after a year of persistent effort, Quang reached a momentous milestone – the official launch of the Eatsy app on both the Apple Store and Google Play. "Instead of the initial six-month projection, the launch came after more than a year of hard work," Quang shared with excitement. "Within a short timeframe, Eatsy has attracted users from the Vietnamese diaspora in 27 countries."

The journey wasn't without its emotional rewards. Quang recalls, "On the launch day itself, we secured our first paying user. It was an unforgettable moment – the culmination of passion translated into a product someone valued enough to pay for."

Eatsy is seeking VC investment

Looking forward, Eatsy sees significant opportunities for growth. With smartphone penetration in Vietnam reaching around 70% and a national strategy on nutrition recently implemented by the government, the focus on health and wellness is stronger than ever.

Eatsy aspires to become a comprehensive health assistant, simplifying healthy eating and exercise for its users. Nguyen Phuong Quang envisions the app as "a friendly companion, always reminding and supporting you to adjust your diet and exercise." Ultimately, Eatsy aims to empower users to live better lives.

To achieve their long-term goal of becoming the leading health support application for Vietnamese people, Eatsy seeks investment. This investment will propel them forward, allowing them to further develop the app and solidify its position as a safe, convenient, and cost-effective weight loss solution for users.