Story of Pivot: Formerly Carrot, Digital Health Startup using Data-Driven Behavioral Methods for Smoking Cessation
Story of Pivot:
Founding and Leadership
Pivot, originally known as Carrot, was founded in 2015 by
Dr. David S. Utley, M.D., who continues to lead the company as CEO. Dr. Utley
is a Harvard-trained physician and former Stanford surgical faculty member with
extensive experience in medical devices, patents, and startup innovation.
Company Mission
Pivot is a digital health company focused on helping people
quit smoking using a behavioral, data-driven, and clinically validated
approach. The company’s mission is to empower millions of tobacco users to
achieve lasting cessation through technology, behavioral science, and clinical
expertise.
Flagship Programs
Pivot’s main program, Pivot Breathe, provides personalized
behavioral support to help people quit tobacco. Its newest solution, Pivot
Flex, focuses on stress, burnout, and anxiety management, helping individuals
build resilience and take control of daily habits.
Entrepreneurial Background
Before founding Pivot, Dr. Utley was the first employee and
Chief Medical Officer at BARRX Medical, a med-tech startup acquired by Covidien
in 2012. He has also founded or advised multiple medical device startups,
contributing over 65 U.S. patents and 100 publications to the field.
Story of Pivot: Formerly Carrot, digital health startup for smoking cessation#startup#age#net worth#AI story# Pivot story#Digital Health Startup
Inspiration for Pivot
Dr. Utley’s inspiration for working in startups began during
his Stanford fellowship, where he collaborated with surgical innovators. These
experiences taught him the importance of persistence, mentorship, and hands-on
problem solving in building successful healthcare companies.
The Startup Journey
Founding Pivot required navigating complex clinical,
regulatory, and business challenges. From 2015 onward, Dr. Utley led clinical
trials, human factors testing, and FDA submissions, resulting in clearance for
Pivot as a medical device that assists users in quitting tobacco.
Target Market
Pivot primarily works with employers and health plans,
offering programs to employees in industries with high smoking rates such as
healthcare, retail, manufacturing, transportation, and hospitality. By
embedding cessation programs in benefits packages, Pivot reaches a wide
audience effectively.
Challenges and Perseverance
The company faced significant obstacles, including investor
withdrawals and large-scale program implementations. Dr. Utley describes this
as the “crucible” of startup life, requiring relentless dedication, long hours,
and hands-on leadership to survive and thrive.
Impact and Results
Pivot’s programs are clinically validated to help users
reduce tobacco use, increase quit attempts, and improve long-term cessation
rates. Large companies and health plans implementing Pivot have seen enrollment
increase tenfold, demonstrating the platform’s effectiveness and scalability.
Vision and Future Goals
Pivot continues to expand nationwide, aiming to address the
global tobacco crisis. Dr. Utley emphasizes that tobacco use remains the
leading cause of preventable death, and Pivot’s innovative solutions are
designed to make quitting more accessible, effective, and sustainable for
millions of people.
Timeline of Pivot (Carrot)
- 2015
– Carrot is founded by Dr. David Utley; development of Pivot’s smoking
cessation platform begins.
- 2015-2018
– Clinical trials, human factors testing, and early program implementation
with employers and health plans.
- 2019-2020
– Pivot expands programs to large national employers and health plans;
overcomes funding and operational challenges.
- 2020-2022
– Pivot Flex solution introduced to address stress and resilience; FDA
clearance achieved for tobacco cessation device.
- 2023-2025
– Nationwide scaling, continued enrollment growth, partnerships with
employers and health plans, and expansion of behavioral health offerings
