Summary:
Throne raised $4M in seed funding led by Moxxie Ventures for its AI-powered toilet device
The startup began as a joke during a poker game in 2021
Co-founders Scott Hickle and Tim Blumberg pivoted to Throne after their previous startup failed
Lance Armstrong and other notable angels invested after seeing the prototype
Throne hired John Capodilupo, former CTO of WHOOP, as Chief Product Officer
Partnerships with University of Washington and University of Chicago aim to validate the technology
The Rise of Throne: From Poker Night Joke to Gut Health Innovator
Throne, an Austin-based startup, has made headlines by securing a $4 million seed round for its AI-powered toilet device aimed at monitoring gut health. The funding was led by Katie Jacobs Stanton of Moxxie Ventures, with participation from notable angels like Lance Armstrong and Justin Mares.
What Throne Does
Throne isn't just another smart toilet; it's a device that attaches to existing toilets, using computer vision and AI to analyze waste for signs of chronic conditions, hydration levels, and urological function. Privacy is a priority, with anonymized images sent to researchers.
Image Credits: Throne under license.
The Serendipitous Origin Story
The idea for Throne was born during a poker game in 2021, where co-founders Scott Hickle and Tim Blumberg joked about smart toilets. Fast forward to 2023, after their previous startup failed, an investor's offhand comment about smart toilets reignited the idea. Hickle's mother, a gerontology doctor, confirmed the medical potential of waste analysis, inspiring them to pursue the concept.
Overcoming Skepticism
Not everyone was on board initially. One investor demanded his money back, but the founders persevered. Their breakthrough came when they pitched Lance Armstrong, a testicular cancer survivor, who became an angel investor after testing their prototype.
Building the Dream Team
Throne also announced the hiring of John Capodilupo, former CTO of WHOOP, as Chief Product Officer. His expertise in hardware and personal experience with ulcerative colitis made him a perfect fit.
Research Partnerships
Through a series of fortunate events, Throne partnered with researchers at University of Washington and University of Chicago to validate its technology. These collaborations are crucial for the product's success, with a planned launch in January 2026.
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