How Throne Raised 4M for AI-Powered Smart Toilet Device

The journey of Throne, an Austin-based startup, from a casual poker night joke to a serious AI-powered health tech company is nothing short of remarkable. Throne has developed a device that mounts onto a toilet bowl and uses computer vision combined with AI software to monitor gut health conditions in the privacy of consumers' homes.

The device analyzes indicators related to chronic conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, colon cancers, chronic kidney disease, and urological functions. It also assesses hydration levels and menstrual blood, providing a comprehensive health snapshot without compromising user privacy thanks to anonymizing features in the software.

The idea originated in 2021 during a poker game when co-founders Scott Hickle and Tim Blumberg joked about launching a 'smart toilet' startup named Throne. After a failed nurse-hiring software startup, they revisited the idea in 2023, inspired by medical insights from Hickle’s mother, a gerontologist, who confirmed the medical value of analyzing waste for health monitoring.

Despite initial skepticism from some investors, including one who withdrew funding, Throne gained momentum through a series of fortuitous introductions. Notably, Lance Armstrong, who battled prostate cancer, became an angel investor after personally testing a prototype. John Capodilupo, former CTO of WHOOP and a public ulcerative colitis patient, joined as chief product officer and investor, bringing critical hardware expertise.

Throne’s seed round, led by Katie Jacobs Stanton of Moxxie Ventures, raised $4 million with participation from multiple venture firms and notable angels. The startup also secured research partnerships with the University of Washington and the University of Chicago to validate the device’s software, a critical step toward its planned January 2026 launch.

Why Throne’s Innovation Matters

Throne’s approach represents a new frontier in consumer health technology, combining AI, computer vision, and privacy-conscious design to empower individuals to monitor chronic health conditions conveniently at home. This technology could revolutionize early detection and management of diseases that traditionally require invasive or inconvenient testing.

The startup’s story also highlights the power of serendipity and networking in the startup ecosystem, where chance meetings and personal connections can unlock funding and expertise critical to success.

Looking Ahead

With a working prototype in place and a strong team including experts in hardware and medical research, Throne is poised to launch its product in early 2026. The startup’s success could pave the way for broader adoption of AI-powered health monitoring devices that blend seamlessly into everyday life.

As AI continues to penetrate healthcare, Throne exemplifies how innovative applications can emerge from unexpected places — even a poker night joke — and evolve into solutions with the potential to save lives.