Ace NutraCare is a company that delivers patented nutritional therapies for chronic conditions, with an initial focus on type 2 diabetes and obesity. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Ace NutraCare founder and CEO Alice Zhang to gain a deeper understanding of the company.
Alice Zhang’s Background
Could you tell me more about your background? Zhang said:
I’m Alice Zhang, the founder and CEO of Ace NutraCare. My professional journey began in the financial services industry—I graduated with a 4.0 GPA in accounting and finance and launched my career at Deloitte and Goldman Sachs in New York, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. While these experiences gave me invaluable skills and a global perspective, I realized I wanted a path that was more innovative, dynamic, and impactful. This led me to Chicago Booth, where I explored entrepreneurship and discovered my true passion.
During my time at Booth, I led my team into the finals of the New Venture Challenge (NVC), one of the nation’s premier accelerators that has launched household names like Grubhub, Venmo, and Simple Mills. At NVC, I found not just validation of our vision, but also the excitement of building something new and impactful—our patented food-as-medicine solution to tackle type 2 diabetes and obesity, conditions affecting millions of Americans.
Formation Of The Company
How did the idea for the company come together? Zhang shared:
“Ace NutraCare was founded from a very personal and serendipitous place. During the summer of my MBA program, I returned to my hometown of Beijing, where my father, a hospital director, was working alongside scientists on a novel nutritional therapy for type 2 diabetes and obesity. Visiting the factory and speaking with the research team opened my eyes to the true power of food-as-medicine. Unlike typical health foods, their products had been tested in clinical settings with real patients, and the results were published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM)—one of the most respected peer-reviewed journals in the field of diabetes.”
“Thousands of patients in China had already benefited from this approach. Seeing such tangible results and realizing how many millions of people in the U.S.—and billions worldwide—struggle with diabetes and obesity made me recognize the potential impact. If food could be both delicious and clinically validated to reverse disease progression, it could reshape the way humanity approaches health.”
“Ace NutraCare was founded to bring this solution to the U.S. market. We are tailoring our proprietary food-as-medicine products—GLP-1–friendly, convenient, and scientifically proven—to fit American tastes and healthcare needs. Our goal is to create a sustainable, scalable solution for chronic conditions that integrates seamlessly into daily life.”
“The vision of Ace NutraCare goes beyond individual products. We are building a model that bridges healthcare and nutrition, supported by rigorous science and clinical validation. By partnering with clinics, restaurants, and healthcare organizations, we aim to make food-as-medicine accessible to millions—ultimately transforming the way we manage and prevent chronic disease.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory working for the company so far? Zhang reflected:
“What inspires me most is the human side of our work and the impact we’re creating. One of my favorite memories is seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they taste our delicious, healthy products—and even before we officially launched, customers were already asking where they could get them. Those moments showed me that what we’re building is truly wanted.”
“Another highlight was working hands-on in the kitchen with the Executive Chairman of Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants. He personally tested our nutrient rice with us, discussing every step from raw grains to a hearty fried rice dish. When the team embraced our solution and decided to pilot it with their real customers, I knew we were on the right path.”
“I also treasure the energy and belief from our advisors and investors. One angel investor flew from Mexico to Chicago to watch us present and introduced us to a network of entrepreneurs to help us grow. Another advisor looked me in the eye and said, ‘Call me whenever you need my help, because I truly want to see this happen in the U.S.’ These gestures of trust and encouragement mean everything.”
“These experiences are what keep me motivated late at night. They remind me that our vision is real, our work is meaningful, and together we can reimagine nutrition as medicine to improve the health of billions.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Zhang explained:
“At Ace NutraCare, our innovation rests on a three-part “secret sauce”:
- A proprietary food-as-therapy system designed to target type 2 diabetes and obesity.
- Precisely formulated blends of medicinal food ingredients, each clinically studied.
- A patented extraction and formulation method that combines these ingredients in optimal ratios for maximum bioavailability and health impact.
We deliver a complete kit of clinically validated, food-based therapies, centered on three product categories:
- Healthy Carb Substitutes – nutrient rice, noodles, biscuits, and energy bars crafted not from traditional starches, but from 23 medicinal food ingredients. These foods are tailor-made to regulate blood sugar, support weight management, boost immune function, and promote digestion.
- Functional Drink Mixes – convenient powdered blends that complement daily nutrition with clinically backed benefits.
- Customized Vitamin Boosters – tailored supplements to support long-term metabolic health and overall well-being.
Unlike conventional diet products, our foods are not just substitutes—they are functional therapies. Each item is designed to taste familiar and delicious while providing therapeutic benefits.
The beauty of our approach lies in harmonizing nutrition and healthcare. By unlocking the natural power of herbs, fungi, and grains, we transform them into enjoyable, everyday foods. Managing diabetes or obesity no longer has to feel like deprivation—we help people achieve health goals through nourishment, not sacrifice.
Ace NutraCare represents a breakthrough where food itself delivers tangible health results—scientifically validated, clinically effective, and accessible as delicious everyday meals people love.”
Challenges Faced
Have you faced any challenges in your sector of work recently? Zhang acknowledged:
“As a young Asian female founder, I’ve sometimes seen people surprised to learn that I am the founder and CEO. Many expect a decision-maker who looks different—perhaps someone more established in years or male in a suit. But once we engage in real conversations, those preconceptions quickly fade. People begin to trust me, my team, and our solutions, and often express genuine interest in exploring partnerships or testing our products.”
“Entrepreneurship requires resilience, determination, and relentless hard work—and minority founders often face additional hurdles. Yet I’ve found that authenticity, professionalism, and consistent execution ultimately speak louder than stereotypes. By focusing on excellence and delivering real value to our customers, we demonstrate that our venture is both backable and capable of making a meaningful impact. At the end of the day, being great at what we do and staying committed to bringing the best to our customers is the true key to success.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Zhang cited:
- Recognition at NVCAce NutraCare earned 4th place in Chicago Booth’s New Venture Challenge (NVC), one of the nation’s top-ranked accelerator programs. The NVC has launched household names such as Grubhub, Venmo, and Simple Mills, placing us in a prestigious lineage of high-growth ventures.
- Strategic Partnership in Food Service. We have completed successful internal testing with Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants on our nutrient rice and are preparing to launch a customer-facing pilot with their diners. This collaboration marks an exciting step toward integrating food-as-medicine solutions into mainstream dining experiences.
- Early-Stage Investment Secured. For our pre-seed funding round, we have gained support from institutional investors, The University of Chicago, and several seasoned angel investors. Building on this momentum, we are now actively seeking additional funding and exploring new opportunities for business collaborations to accelerate growth.
Total Addressable Market
What total addressable market (TAM) size is the company pursuing? Zhang assessed:
“The global nutraceuticals market is valued at $591.1 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $919.1 billion by 2030, growing at a 7.6% CAGR. In the U.S. alone, the market is worth $170 billion this year. This massive and fast-growing industry reflects extraordinary consumer demand, presenting a significant opportunity for us to capture growth and deliver meaningful impact.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Zhang affirmed:
“Ace NutraCare stands apart in the crowded health and nutrition market because our solutions are not just functional foods—they are clinically validated therapies. Unlike typical diet plans, meal kits, or ‘GLP-1–friendly’ snacks, our solution has been rigorously tested in human clinical trials, published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, and demonstrated breakthrough outcomes: nearly half of participants achieved type 2 diabetes remission within just three months—and remarkably, almost all maintained remission after a year without any additional intervention. This means their blood sugar levels returned to a non-diabetic range without ongoing medication, a milestone rarely seen outside of pharmaceutical or surgical treatments. In addition, participants experienced an average weight loss of 13 pounds within three months and a dramatic improvement in glycemic control, with HbA1c dropping from 7.65% to 5.66%. These breakthrough outcomes highlight the power of our food-as-medicine approach to deliver lasting metabolic health—uniquely positioning us as a clinically proven alternative or complement to medications like Ozempic and Wegovy.”
“Our proprietary technology and intellectual property further set us apart. With patents filed in eight countries, including the U.S. and Europe, we protect a patented microbial fermentation and extraction method that isolates and optimally combines active ingredients from 23 medicinal foods. This proprietary process makes our nutrient rice, noodles, and other carb substitutes uniquely effective, impossible to replicate with everyday recipes or generic “food-as-medicine” concepts. It creates a durable competitive moat that supports long-term defensibility.”
“We also differentiate through accessibility and sustainability. Medications can cost over $1,300 per month, while our programs are affordable for long-term use without side effects. Unlike competitors that focus narrowly on shakes, energy bars, or short-term diets, we offer a diverse lineup of everyday foods that integrate seamlessly into daily life. This ensures higher adherence and customer satisfaction, while promoting lasting lifestyle change.”
“Finally, Ace NutraCare combines the trust of healthcare with the appeal of consumer food. We are actively piloting with the University of Chicago Weight Loss Clinic and Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, meaning our products are endorsed by both medical experts and mainstream dining leaders. This dual-channel strategy builds credibility, accelerates adoption, and positions us at the unique intersection of healthcare and nutrition—something our competitors cannot replicate.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future goals? Zhang concluded:
“From Patented Nutritional Therapy to a Holistic Health Ecosystem
By 2027, Ace NutraCare plans to expand its portfolio to six SKUs and enter the corporate wellness market. Our partnerships in the restaurant channel will keep expanding into national brands such as Chipotle, and the company will explore opportunities to license its proprietary ingredients into the supply chains of major food giants.
For me, Ace NutraCare’s vision goes far beyond selling individual products: ‘We want to build a health ecosystem that bridges the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine with the rigor of evidence-based science. Imagine opening your fridge and finding clinically validated, blood-sugar–friendly staples—or choosing co-branded menu options when dining out. That’s when health management truly becomes part of everyday life.’”
