Meet GES Delegate: Gloria Kolb

Elidah is treating incontinence with a small wearable device.

Name: Gloria Kolb, CEO of Elidah

Twitter: @ElidahMed

Country of Origin: USA

Organization Website: www.Elidah.com and www.incontinenceinfo.org

Brief Description of Organization: Elidah is developing a non-surgical, wearable therapeutic treatment for incontinence, which will improve the quality of life for tens of millions of women. Stress urinary incontinence is a widely prevalent condition affecting 1 in 3 women, and has far-reaching physical, social, and economic implications. Elidah is developing a discreet, surface cutaneous electrical muscle stimulation treatment to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that can be worn while the wearer goes about normal activity.

What inspired you to start this organization? A relative of mine had two very painful surgeries for incontinence. As I started to research, I was appalled that for such a prevalent condition, the treatment options were so poor (basically exercise on your own, put in vaginal devices, or have surgery). I knew there was a better way.

What is the next big step you hope to help your organization reach? We are starting clinical studies this summer and will have FDA clearance on the electrode by fall. We hope to launch the system next year. However, this is one of those very quiet conditions that no one talks about, so we hope to reach everyone by word of mouth.

What has been your biggest obstacle as an entrepreneur? This is not my first startup, so luckily I have learned a lot from previous experience. The biggest obstacle is still to keep focused and spend time on the most effective tasks. It is easy to get distracted.

What advice would you give other emerging entrepreneurs? Even if you think you have the best solution, my advice would be to talk, talk, talk to the consumers and market to make sure there really is a match of your solution to the need.