tummi

A breath-based wellness tracker built into your water bottle.

Techstars Startup Weekend USC — 1st Place Winner

Context

Tummi was developed during a 54-hour design sprint at Techstars Startup Weekend USC. Our team of eight came together with no prior collaboration and one shared goal: design a wellness product that integrates effortlessly into daily life. The result was a breath-based gut tracker embedded in the cap of a water bottle.

My Role

I led user research, concept development, and science and tech validation. I conducted interviews, mapped behavioral insights, explored feasibility of breath-based sensing, and defined a product experience that felt both quiet and intentional. I also co-wrote the final pitch and helped shape the brand’s voice and interaction model.

Process

We worked in quick, focused cycles: clarity over polish, substance over features.

User Research
Interviewed individuals about wellness habits, gut health routines, and friction with existing tools.
Scientific Landscape Scan
Researched breath biomarkers related to digestion and stress. Looked into VOC sensing and low-power integration for future feasibility.
Concept Design
Reimagined a modular bottle cap as a passive wellness device. Defined a use case grounded in hydration and breath—two things people already do daily.
UX Mapping
Sketched an app experience that offered lightweight tracking, intuitive visualizations, and zero overwhelm.
Pitch Strategy
Helped frame the story, refine the use case, and communicate the product’s impact in a way that felt grounded and quietly innovative.

Outcome

tummi won first place at Techstars Startup Weekend, recognized for:

Addressing a real and relatable wellness gap
Seamlessly blending form and function
Presenting a compelling vision with market potential

Takeaways

Fast cycles breed clear ideas. With Tummi, we built a pitchable concept from scratch in a weekend by staying user-centered, creatively resourceful, and relentlessly focused.

[See our pitch deck below]