ExpressionMed

What ExpressionMed does

ExpressionMed is a Minneapolis-based, direct-to-consumer e-commerce company founded around 2015-2016 by Meghan Sharkus that designs, manufactures, and sells medical-grade adhesive patches and decorative tapes for continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps. Its core technology is a proprietary non-woven material that is breathable, fray-proof, waterproof, and sweat-proof, combined with a hypoallergenic adhesive formulation (no natural tree saps, resins, or rubbers) that has passed cytotoxicity and skin sensitivity testing; tapes deliver 10-14+ days of wear with painless, residue-free stretch-off removal. The portfolio covers every major CGM and pump platform — Dexcom G6, G7, Stelo; Abbott Freestyle Libre 2, Libre 3, Lingo, and Abbott Instinct; Tandem Mobi; Omnipod, Omnipod DASH, Omnipod 5, and Omnipod Go; Medtronic 670G, Enlite, and Guardian — across more than 300 designs and 10,000+ SKUs, complemented by UnderPatches, device stickers, Skin-Tac and Tac Away application/removal wipes, a Tape Album organizer, and an apparel and accessories line.

The business model is pure direct-to-consumer product sales through a Shopify storefront (expressionmed.com) with international distribution via authorized resellers in Canada (pimpmydiabetes.com), the UK (diabeticsupply.co.uk), Australia (oneand2.com.au), the EU (mysweetstitch.com), and South Korea (smartstore.naver.com/alivepatch). Pricing is unit-based with bulk incentives: $4.99 for a single tape, $6.48 for a single tape plus matching device sticker, ~$17.99-$24.99 for 5-packs, and $2.99 per tape (20% off) on 10-packs; variety packs run $15.99-$21.99, with free shipping on orders over $45. Revenue is one-time purchase at point of sale, with retention driven by a rewards/loyalty program, content marketing via the company blog, and the consumable nature of the product (tapes replaced every 10-14+ days). The customer base consists of individuals with Type 1, Type 2, or gestational diabetes using CGMs and pumps, parents of children with diabetes, active users and athletes needing waterproof solutions, and healthcare providers seeking samples; the company has accumulated 8,796+ verified customer reviews at a 4.5-star average. The company operates with 1-10 employees from its Minneapolis warehouse and has participated in the gBETA Medtech accelerator (2018), with no institutional funding or acquisitions disclosed.

Name

ExpressionMed

Legal name

ExpressionMed

Website

https://expressionmed.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ExpressionMed is a Minneapolis-based direct-to-consumer e-commerce company that designs and sells medical-grade adhesive patches, tapes, and accessories for continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps across all major CGM platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Diabetes Medical Adhesives

NAICS

Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing (33911), Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing (339113), Adhesive Manufacturing (32552)

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAHAHAL

Diabetes Care Device Accessories & Adhesives (Sensors/Pump Supplies)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Medical Devices & Diagnostics/Diabetes Care Devices (CGM, Insulin Delivery)

Keywords

• CGM adhesive patches
• Insulin pump tapes
• Diabetes medical adhesives
• Continuous glucose monitor accessories
• Waterproof medical tapes

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Direct product sales: E-commerce sales of medical adhesive tapes and patches for CGM devices, insulin pumps, and related accessories. Products sold as individual units, multi-packs, and variety packs with various device compatibility options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ExpressionMed designs, manufactures, and sells medical-grade adhesive patches and tapes that secure continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps to the skin. Products are engineered device-specific for major diabetes platforms (Dexcom G6/G7/Stelo, Abbott Freestyle Libre 2/3/Lingo/Abbott Instinct, Tandem Mobi, Omnipod, Medtronic), offered in 300+ designs with waterproof, hypoallergenic, 10-14+ day wear performance, and sold primarily direct-to-consumer online.

Product overview

ExpressionMed offers a unified portfolio of medical-grade adhesive patches and accessories for continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps. The core offering consists of device-specific tapes compatible with major CGM platforms including Dexcom (G6, G7, Stelo), Abbott Freestyle Libre (2, 3, Lingo, Abbott Instinct), Tandem Mobi and Omnipod, and Medtronic devices. Products are categorized by device type with specialized fit variations (Perfect Fit, OverPatch, UnderPatch, Mini). Supporting the tape portfolio are complementary products including device stickers, application/removal tools (Skin-Tac wipes, Tac Away remover), apparel & accessories, and tape organizational albums. All tapes share key attributes: waterproof, sweat-proof, fray-proof, hypoallergenic construction lasting 10+ days, and are made in the USA. The company offers over 300 design patterns across themes including diabetes awareness, seasonal collections, character designs, and lifestyle motifs. Products are available in individual, multi-pack (5-pack, 10-pack), and variety pack configurations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dexcom G6 Adhesive Tapes Medical-grade adhesive patches designed to secure Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitors to the skin. Waterproof, hypoallergenic, available in 300+ designs and sold as singles, multi-packs, and variety packs.
• Dexcom G7 and Stelo Adhesive Tapes Adhesive patches for Dexcom G7 and Stelo glucose biosensors, offered in regular, mini, overpatch, and sticker formats with 10-14+ day waterproof wear.
• Freestyle Libre 2 and Lingo Adhesive Tapes Adhesive patches for Abbott Freestyle Libre 2 and Lingo devices, available in Perfect Fit (hugs sensor) and OverPatch (full coverage) styles.
• Freestyle Libre 3 and Abbott Instinct Adhesive Tapes Adhesive patches for Abbott Freestyle Libre 3 and Abbott Instinct sensors, offered in shapes including Base Shape, Underpatch, Overpatch, Butterfly, Flower, Heart, and Fun Shapes.
• Tandem Mobi Adhesive Tapes Adhesive patches designed for the Tandem Mobi insulin pump system, providing waterproof, hypoallergenic wear for 10-14+ days.
• Omnipod Adhesive Tapes Adhesive patches for Omnipod, Omnipod DASH, Omnipod 5, and Omnipod Go insulin pumps, featuring pod-specific cut-outs and waterproof design.
• Medtronic and Oval Adhesive Tapes Adhesive patches for Medtronic 670G, Enlite, and Guardian sensors, plus Oval-format compatibility for Freestyle Libre with Miao Miao.
• Infusion Set Adhesive Tapes Adhesive patches for Tandem and Minimed infusion sets, sold in 5-pack quantities, providing secure and waterproof adhesion for insulin delivery sites.
• UnderPatches Skin protection barriers placed under CGM devices and insulin pumps to shield skin from device adhesive, available for Dexcom G6/G7, Libre 2/3, and Omnipod.
• Device Stickers Decorative vinyl stickers for Dexcom G6, Dexcom G7, Freestyle Libre 2, Libre 3, and Pod insulin pump transmitters, sold as a set with matching tape for personalization.
• Application and Removal Tools Skin-Tac Adhesive Wipes and Tac Away Adhesive Remover Wipes that assist with tape application and painless residue-free removal.
• Apparel and Accessories Clothing and accessory items featuring diabetes-themed designs including shirts, sweatshirts, phone cases, tumblers, notebooks, and totes.
• Tape Album Storage Solution Compact book-format organizer that holds up to 160 tapes for storing and organizing tape collections.
• Stelo by Dexcom (2-pack) Dexcom Stelo glucose biosensor system sold as a 2-pack for $99, targeted at adults who do not use insulin and want over-the-counter CGM monitoring.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10-14+ days wear duration
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered regional, core and supporting.

• Pimp My Diabetes (Canada)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized international distributor for ExpressionMed products in Canada, operating through pimpmydiabetes.com
• Diabetes Supply (UK)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized international distributor for ExpressionMed products in the United Kingdom
• One and Two (Australia)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized international distributor for ExpressionMed products in Australia, operating through oneand2.com.au
• My Sweet Stitch (EU)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized international distributor for ExpressionMed products in the European Union, operating through mysweetstitch.com
• Alive Patch (South Korea)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized international distributor for ExpressionMed products in South Korea, operating through Naver Smart Store at smartstore.naver.com/alivepatch
• ShopifycoreTechnology or IntegrationE-commerce platform provider powering the ExpressionMed online store, enabling all online sales, payments, and order management
• Google AnalyticssupportingTechnology or IntegrationWeb analytics service used to understand how customers browse and interact with the ExpressionMed website

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Not Just a Patch: Not Just a Patch is a UK-based DTC brand selling CGM patches for Dexcom, Libre, and Omnipod, offering hypoallergenic, waterproof adhesives that compete with ExpressionMed's core product line.
• Pump Peelz: Pump Peelz is the original direct-to-consumer brand for decorative CGM and insulin pump overlays and stickers, selling device-specific tapes for Dexcom, Libre, Omnipod, and Tandem. It is the closest head-to-head competitor to ExpressionMed in both product line and brand positioning within the diabetes accessories niche.
• GrifGrips: GrifGrips offers pre-cut adhesive patches and grip bands for CGMs, insulin pumps, and infusion sets, with comparable device coverage (Dexcom, Medtronic, Omnipod, Tandem) and a similar lifestyle/branding-led DTC approach.
• Dia-Style: Dia-Style sells fashionable CGM covers, tapes, and apparel for people with diabetes, targeting the same personalization-and-self-expression use case that ExpressionMed leads with across its 300+ design library.
• Skin Grip: Skin Grip sells CGM and insulin pump adhesive patches with strong durability and waterproof claims, competing directly with ExpressionMed across Dexcom, Libre, and Omnipod platforms via a similar DTC e-commerce model.
• RockaDex: RockaDex is a UK-based specialist in CGM and insulin pump patches with similar device-specific SKUs and waterproof adhesive claims, representing a direct competitor in the European market where ExpressionMed also distributes.

Broad incumbents

• Dexcom: Dexcom is the leading CGM manufacturer (G6, G7, Stelo) whose device install base ExpressionMed's tapes are designed around; any Dexcom-branded accessories or form-factor changes directly affect ExpressionMed's addressable market.
• Insulet (Omnipod): Insulet's Omnipod patch-pump family (Dash, 5, Go) is one of ExpressionMed's core device targets; Insulet is also a broad incumbent whose own accessory and adhesive decisions shape the niche ExpressionMed operates in.
• Abbott (Freestyle Libre): Abbott's Freestyle Libre (2, 3, Lingo, Instinct) is one of the largest installed CGM platforms globally; ExpressionMed sells dedicated patches for the entire Libre family, making Abbott a critical platform partner and competitive threat.

Emerging players

• Type One Style: Type One Style is a UK DTC brand offering diabetes-themed apparel and accessories, overlapping with ExpressionMed's apparel-and-accessories line and serving a similar diabetes-community customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ExpressionMed