Our Story – The Birth of UCAN and Steady Energy Innovation

UCAN – the name says it all. We celebrate the courage to dream, to push limits, and to fuel moments that matter. Our story began not with sport, but with family. What started as a search for hope for one child became a global movement redefining how energy is delivered.

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2001 It Started with a Dream

Jonah was born with a rare metabolic disorder that prevented him from breaking down the body’s natural source of stored energy – glycogen. To survive, he needed to be tube-fed every two hours just to keep his blood sugar stable. For his parents, this meant sleepless nights and endless worry.

Driven by determination, Jonah’s family partnered with a group of scientists and nutrition experts to search for a better way. Every carbohydrate was tested – oats, rice, lentils, tapioca, legumes – yet none could provide the steady, reliable fuel Jonah needed. The dream of finding a revolutionary energy source had only just begun.

2008 — A REVOLUTIONARY, NEW ENERGY SOURCE

After years of research, scientists in Europe made a breakthrough. By applying a unique, patented cooking method to non-GMO cornstarch, they created a novel slow-digesting carbohydrate. This process transformed the starch into a gentle, low-glycemic fuel that released glucose slowly and steadily over several hours.

This discovery – later named LIVSTEADY™ – provided the long-lasting, sugar-free energy Jonah needed. More than that, it offered hope for athletes, active people, and anyone seeking a cleaner source of fuel. Out of this innovation, the UCAN Company was born.

2009 – Powered by LIVSTEADY™ for Athletes and Everyday Energy

With Jonah thriving, UCAN turned its focus to performance. Early adopters included Olympian Meb Keflezighi, who trained and raced with UCAN’s slow-release carbohydrate to avoid the dreaded “spike and crash.” What Jonah needed to live, athletes now used to perform at their best.

Word spread quickly. From marathon runners to triathletes, people discovered UCAN products could deliver the one thing every competitor craves – steady, predictable energy without sugar. UCAN was no longer just science in the lab; it was fueling finish lines.

2012 – UCAN Becomes a Movement

With validation in the lab and with Jonah, we also start to gather feedback from athletes in the field. Olympian Meb Keflezighi paves the way as the first athlete to train with SuperStarch® and experience the benefits of steady, long-lasting energy. Like Jonah, athletes like Meb also need steady blood sugar levels to avoid the spike & crash. We start to make UCAN nutrition products, powered by SuperStarch®, for athletes and active people.

“When I first saw the name UCAN, I thought how appropriate is that. We are the generation where you can achieve anything you believe is possible.”
— Meb Keflezighi, Olympic Marathon Champion

The UCAN name became more than a product. It became a philosophy – a belief that with the right fuel, you can take control of your energy and unlock your potential.

2014 & Beyond – From Jonah to UCAN Moments Worldwide

From those early nights caring for Jonah to fueling podiums and personal bests, UCAN has grown into a global community. Endurance athletes, fitness professionals, and low-carb enthusiasts now turn to UCAN for reliable energy without sugar.

The UCAN story is told not only in science, but in human achievement. Like Donna Decker, who summited Mt. Everest. Or Linda Quirk, a grandmother who crossed four of the world’s largest deserts on foot.

UCAN is about more than products. It’s about people writing their own stories of grit, resilience, and triumph.

Create Your UCAN Moment

From Jonah’s dream to your next race, from the lab to your everyday life – UCAN is here to power your journey with steady, science-backed energy.
Put the “U” in UCAN. Believe in what’s possible, fuel your goals the smarter way, and create your own UCAN moment.

Our Story – The Birth of UCAN and Steady Energy Innovation

Press play to discover our story

2001 It Started with a Dream

2008 — A REVOLUTIONARY, NEW ENERGY SOURCE

2009 – Powered by LIVSTEADY™ for Athletes and Everyday Energy

2012 – UCAN Becomes a Movement

2014 & Beyond – From Jonah to UCAN Moments Worldwide

Create Your UCAN Moment

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