Whoop, a Boston-based health wearable company founded by Will Ahmed while he was at Harvard, has emerged as a critical tool for elite athletes, boasting high-profile users like LeBron James, Michael Phelps, and Cristiano Ronaldo. The company’s fitness tracking device is designed to monitor sleep, recovery, heart rate variability, and other biomarkers, and operates on a subscription model that combines hardware and software for an annual fee ranging from $200 to $360. With impressive retention rates—83% of active users engage with the app daily—Whoop has expanded to over 200 countries and achieved over 100% revenue growth in the past year.
Looking ahead, Ahmed envisions turning Whoop from a performance tool into a lifesaving device capable of providing continuous health monitoring and detecting serious conditions like heart attacks. Recent expansions include medically authorised features such as ECG monitoring and atrial fibrillation detection. Despite a warning from the FDA about its proposed blood pressure insights, the company is undeterred, continuing to innovate.
One of Whoop’s notable partnerships with Quest Diagnostics allows users to upload blood test results directly into the app for review, and a feature called Healthspan estimates biological age, which has gained popularity among users since its launch.
Unique in its design, the Whoop device lacks a screen or notifications, making it unobtrusive—users can wear it alongside other devices or within apparel like sports bras or sleeves. Ahmed stresses this functionality over appearance, noting that the company’s clothing line has also seen substantial growth.
While Whoop differentiates itself from competitors like Oura—a smart ring favoured by consumers willing to outright purchase—both companies are seeing increasing interest from female users. Oura’s platform requires a one-time purchase of around $350 followed by a yearly fee of about $70. Retention rates for both brands highlight customer loyalty, particularly as they now target a broader demographic.
Whoop has made headlines through various partnerships, including with Ferrari and the PGA Tour, leveraging significant visibility among target audiences. Interestingly, during the Australian Open, some players were banned from wearing Whoop bands, leading to public outcry and further showcasing the brand’s organic popularity among athletes.
With plans for significant hiring, Whoop is positioning itself strategically in the health tech market, particularly as it aims for a public listing amidst rising competition. Ahmed conveys confidence about the future, suggesting that focusing on technology and user experience will lead to success. He reflects philosophically on entrepreneurship, describing it as both a rewarding and painful journey, emphasising the importance of being passionate about solving problems rather than the allure of being a founder.
Overall, Whoop continues to redefine itself, aiming to impact not just athletic performance, but broader health outcomes for users across the globe.
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