Throne, an innovative startup based in Austin, is making waves with its AI-powered toilet device designed to monitor gut health. The company recently secured $4 million in seed funding led by investor Katie Jacobs Stanton, with backing from notable figures such as Lance Armstrong, Tara Viswanathan of Rupa Health, and Justin Mares from TrueMed.
The unique device, which attaches to a standard toilet bowl, uses computer vision and AI to assess various health indicators relating to chronic conditions, hydration, and urinary function, all while maintaining user privacy through image anonymisation. Throne’s current prototype is set to hit the market by January 2026, and the startup has expanded its team by hiring John Capodilupo, former CEO and co-founder of the WHOOP smartwatch.
Interestingly, the idea for Throne originated in a light-hearted poker game in 2021, where co-founders Scott Hickle and Tim Blumberg joked about starting a company focused on smart toilets. Following a failed nursing software venture, an unexpected investor suggested they pursue the ‘smart toilet’ idea, prompting the duo to realise they already had a name for it: Throne. This led them to tap into Hickle’s mother, a gerontology expert, who shared insights on how health outcomes could be gleaned from analysing waste, further validating their concept.
Initially met with scepticism, including pushback from some investors, the founders persevered and began gathering interested parties rather than deterred by early negativity. Their networking within Austin led to an introduction to Lance Armstrong, who had experienced prostate cancer and ultimately invested after testing a prototype at his home.
Further referrals resulted in partnerships with prominent research institutions like the University of Washington and the University of Chicago, critical for verifying Throne’s technology claims. Each connection appeared serendipitous, with Hickle expressing a sense of “dumb luck.” These partnerships are essential for Throne’s product validation and potential success.
The cumulative support comes from multiple seed investors, including Accomplice and Long Journey Ventures, reflecting confidence in Throne’s vision. Hickle and Blumberg’s journey illustrates how a whimsical idea can be transformed into a promising health-tech solution, underpinned by the potential to significantly impact lives through monitoring and enhancing gut health at home.
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