Summary:
Oura acquires Veri, a startup focused on metabolic health.
Blood sugar levels are central to Veri's services, which help users improve nutrition and health.
97% of Oura users want to understand nutrition's impact on their health.
Integration plans for Veri into Oura's health suite are underway, with the Veri brand expected to phase out by 2024.
Future aspirations include the potential for non-invasive glucose monitoring in Oura’s devices.
Oura Makes Waves with Veri Acquisition
According to a recent FCC filing, Oura is set to unveil the Oura Ring 4 soon. But first, the health hardware innovator has exciting news: Oura has acquired Veri, a Helsinki-based startup specializing in metabolic health.
The Timing is Key
This announcement follows Dexcom's launch of Stelo, the first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor, and Abbott Laboratories’ recent release of the $49 Lingo device. The FDA's approval of these devices is anticipated to significantly influence how Americans manage personal health.
Understanding Blood Sugar Levels
Blood sugar levels are central to the Veri platform. Veri emphasizes, “We help you stabilize your levels by providing the insight and guidance you need to find the right foods and habits for you.” Their service aims to assist users in losing weight, boosting energy, and improving sleep.
User Insights and Market Trends
Oura CEO Tom Hale shared that an internal survey revealed 97% of users are eager to understand how nutrition impacts their health. Surprisingly, 13% had already been using continuous glucose monitors before they became widely available. The competitive landscape, including Ultrahuman's glucose monitoring patch, likely contributed to Oura's decision to acquire Veri.
Integration Plans
While specifics on how Veri's platform will fit into Oura's offerings remain vague, Hale confirmed that it will be integrated into their health suite. By the end of 2024, the Veri brand and platform will be phased out. It is still uncertain if current Veri users will need to purchase an Oura ring to access services moving forward.
Expanding the Team
Oura's existing office in Helsinki will absorb new employees from Veri, with Hale indicating a desire to retain as much of Veri’s existing workforce as feasible.
Future Prospects
When asked about incorporating continuous glucose monitoring into the Oura ring, Hale acknowledged the idea as intriguing but noted it is currently a future aspiration: “Knowing how glucose affects health, you can imagine — in some glorious future — ways to detect glucose levels from a non-invasive device. But that feels far off.”
Oura has not disclosed the specifics of the acquisition deal.
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