Would love to hear more about how one goes about designing / producing a new condom product. How'd you get from 'I want to make a condom' to actually having a product?
@dshan Hi Derek (and Erik @eriktorenberg )!
Great question. It began with surrounding ourselves with people who are smarter than us in the field, including material scientists and engineers. We made a point to address each of the major complaints about condoms and user experience. One of the most critical and intensive parts of the process is that condoms are considered a medical device by the FDA. So 1) initial concept and design, 2) manufacturing, and 3) regulatory approvals were the three major steps.
Hi Product Hunters! I'm Talia, founder of L. We're here because you deserve world changing sex. Condoms can suck - ours don't. We reduced the proteins in the latex to get rid of latex scent, taste and irritation, and we deliver them to you on demand or you can order a subscription. For every L. condom you buy we give one to a female entrepreneur in a developing country. Let us know what you think!
@talia_frenkel75 Wow, I knew that you distributed to developing countries, but not to entrepreneurs. That's awesome. Any cool stories from any of them?
So few products/startups in this space. I think more co's in this space gets more people talking about sex and hopefully reduces the stigma around it. The twist you've added giving these to developing countries is interesting as well. I like the empowerment aspect of it. Are you concerned that giving condoms to be sold may be too much of a barrier to increase condom use as opposed to simply distributing them for free?
@_gordee Empowering women is a huge part of our mission - both to provide higher-quality condoms to women here in the U.S., as well as economic opportunities and sexual health education to women in the developing world.
Selling the condoms acts as an income generating activity that provides our women partners greater say in their local communities around key decisions such as condom use. I've provided a link with more info on this here:
http://www.unaids.org/en/resourc...
In addition, endorsing the sale of condom as opposed to donations lays the foundation for long-term, local distribution channels and a higher probability that condom use will be adopted. See this article for further information: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/...
That's what drives L.'s current donation distribution model. Let us know if you have any other thoughts or questions, and we really, really appreciate your support Gordon!
Products and platforms like Tom's shoes, Sevenly have reinvented business models with great purpose. Always thought previously "when will someone do the same thing with condoms". I am over the moon that it now exists and is on here. Well done Talia and team!
You guys have shown us again that pretty much any current business model can be re-imagined. What other commodities can we next make awesome?!
@talia_frenkel75 where does the L name come from? I might be missing the reference :D
EDIT: L from Love, lol. Also, in French 'her' is 'elle' and pronounced like 'L' ;D
Report
I dig the clever branding, all else aside:
world changing sex
do {each other} good
Without having tried the product itself, looks like great execution.
Report
I actually picked up a pack of these from CVS back in 2013 - did not disappoint! Congrats on making it to demo day and with such a worthy cause.
Product Hunt Regular
Backchannel
L. Condoms
L. Condoms
Complice
Refer
L. Condoms
Refer
Gather
VR/AR Pioneers Podcast