November 14th, 2025 – Today is World Diabetes Day, a moment to reflect on the impact of diabetes and on the role of innovation and lifestyle in its prevention and treatment.

In this special blog, we speak with the founders of Clear.bio, Piet Hein van Dam and Madelon Bracke. They share a behind-the-scenes of their mission to improve health and quality of life.

Why did you decide to start Clear.bio?

Madelon:
“For me, it’s all about having an impact on an individual level. I believe that when you understand your own biology, you can make healthier choices. Biofeedback and personalisation empower people to take control of their health. That’s incredibly powerful.”

Piet Hein adds:
“Looking back, it always seems obvious. But when we started, it was mainly intuition, curiosity, enthusiasm, and drive. What struck me was a new scientific insight: people respond very differently to food. There is no single diet that works for everyone, because every body reacts differently. That fascinated me.”

He continues, more serious now:
“And my biggest personal driver? I’m angry that being unhealthy is a business model. Food companies, pharmaceutical companies, and various parts of the healthcare system profit more from our unhealthiness. Meanwhile, amazing technologies are used within systems but rarely for the people who actually need them. I want science and technology to finally serve the consumer.”

What problem were you trying to solve when you started Clear.bio?

Clear.bio was founded to provide individuals with insights into their health through bioinformatics.

Madelon:
“During COVID-19 it became clear how important it is to understand what your body needs. People wanted to improve their immunity but had no personalised insights. With real-time glucose feedback, you can make that insight visible instantly.”

Piet Hein:
“People receive general advice, but they don’t know how their own body responds. Science shows clearly that everyone reacts differently to food. The current healthcare system can’t meet that need for personalisation anymore. We want to bring technology outward, into the hands of people, into daily life.”

The move to a fully digital approach was essential.

Madelon:
“It allowed us to reach many more people. We now connect real-time glucose data to food, so you can immediately see what happens inside your body. It’s incredibly educational.”

Since 2021, Clear.bio has focused on people with diabetes or excess weight.
“For them, there were hardly any tools that gave truly personalised insight. That’s what we want to change.”

How do you see the role of technology and data in improving health?

Madelon:
“Technology makes health visible. When you see what happens inside your body after you eat, it stays with you. Visualisation is powerful motivation.”

Piet Hein:
“It’s absolutely essential. Healthcare demand is rising while capacity is decreasing. A GP may soon need to see sixty patients a day. That’s impossible without technology. But technology shouldn’t only make healthcare more efficient on the inside. It needs to go outward, directly to people. Into everyday life, where the real choices are made.”

What does World Diabetes Day mean to you?

Madelon:
“It’s an important day to raise awareness. Diabetes is becoming more common, and many people are at risk without realising it. Awareness starts with insight, and days like this help make that visible.”

Piet Hein, smiling:
“Honestly, I’d prefer November 13 to be World Pre-diabetes Day. The Netherlands has 1.1 million people with type 2 diabetes and another 1.3 million with pre-diabetes. If we focus on that group, maybe one day we won’t need World Diabetes Day anymore. Every year I think, “We should have a World Pre-diabetes Day.”

What would you like to say to people living with (or at risk of) diabetes?

Madelon:
“You can do so much yourself. Small changes make a big difference. Believe in yourself, and we’ll support you along the way.”

Piet Hein:
“It’s not easy, and we try to make it as easy as possible for you. The only thing you need is a bit of courage. Not big, heroic COURAGE, but small courage: starting. Leaving out something you know causes a spike. People often think this requires a strict, religious diet. It doesn’t. With a little courage, you’re already on the right path.”

Where do you hope Clear.bio will be five years from now?

Madelon:
“Among the international top three in standard care for people with early-stage diabetes. With personal data as a standard part of healthcare.”

Piet Hein:
“Our mission is remission. Helping people bring their condition under control, together with them, without adding pressure to GPs or practice nurses. And it is relevant for insurers too, because medication is becoming more and more expensive.”

He concludes:
“In five years, we want to help ten million people a year across Europe and beyond to bring their condition into remission.”

And what makes you happy?

Madelon, smiling:
“When people feel heard and supported. If we can give someone the confidence that they can do this themselves, my day is made.”

Piet Hein:
“When the technology we build genuinely helps someone in daily life. That’s what drives us.”

“Patient empowerment gives people more confidence in their own ability; that’s what we at Clear.bio strive to help as many people with as possible.” – Madelon Bracke