Category: Startups

FundingStartups

Oura Raises $900M Funding at $11B Valuation for Smart Ring Expansion

Oura has raised $900 million in new funding led by Fidelity Management & Research Company, valuing the smart ring maker at approximately $11 billion. The Finnish company plans to expand AI capabilities, health features, and global distribution while dominating the smart ring market.

Finnish health technology company Oura has secured a massive $900 million funding round that doubles its valuation to approximately $11 billion, signaling strong investor confidence in the smart ring market’s growth potential. The funding was led by Fidelity Management & Research Company with participation from new investor ICONIQ and contributions from existing backers Whale Rock and Atreides Management. This substantial capital infusion comes just months after the company’s previous round in December, demonstrating rapid acceleration in both valuation and market position for the smart ring manufacturer.

Record-breaking valuation and market dominance

by Michael Turner
BusinessStartups

Grindr’s Financial Crisis Sparks Potential Take-Private Deal

Grindr’s controlling shareholders are exploring taking the LGBTQ+ dating app private after a stock decline created personal financial pressures. The owners pledged shares as collateral for loans that became undercollateralized, forcing lender action. Talks are underway with Fortress Investment Group for a potential $15 per share buyout.

Grindr’s majority owners are facing a significant financial crisis that has triggered urgent discussions about taking the popular LGBTQ+ mobile app private. According to a detailed report from Semafor, controlling shareholders Raymond Zage and James Lu are scrambling to address personal loan obligations after Grindr’s stock decline left their collateralized shares underwater, creating immediate pressure for a strategic solution.

Ownership Background and Acquisition History

by Michael Turner
HealthStartups

Marble Health Startup: Real Therapists, Not AI, for Youth Mental Health Crisis

** Amid growing concerns about AI’s role in youth mental health, startup Marble Health provides actual therapist sessions through school partnerships and insurance billing. The company recently secured $15.5 million to expand its human-centered model nationwide. **CONTENT:**

In an era where artificial intelligence increasingly dominates mental health conversations, startup Marble Health is betting that real human therapists can better address the nation’s youth mental health crisis. Founded in 2023 by Headway alumni Jake Sussman and Dan Ross, Marble partners with schools and bills insurance—primarily Medicaid—to deliver accessible therapy that families can actually afford, creating a refreshingly human alternative to automated solutions.

by Erica Lang
BusinessStartups

How a Reluctant CEO Conquered Imposter Syndrome to Turn Biotech Profitable

A biotech CEO shares her journey from English literature graduate to profitable company leader. Learn how embracing gut instincts, building diverse teams, and overcoming self-doubt transformed her leadership approach and company success.

In the competitive world of biotech leadership, one reluctant CEO’s journey from imposter syndrome to profitability offers powerful lessons in instinct-driven decision-making and authentic leadership. Jamie Stueland’s unconventional path demonstrates how embracing vulnerability while building diverse teams can transform both personal leadership and company outcomes in the drug development sector.

Embracing Opportunity Over Perfection

by Michael Turner