News Summary

Austin-based startup Throne, co-founded by Scott Hickle and Tim Blumberg, has successfully raised $4 million in seed financing, led by Moxxie Ventures. Throne’s innovative AI-powered device, which attaches to existing toilets, uses computer vision technology to monitor gut health conditions. The device is designed to analyze indicators of chronic conditions and other health metrics in the privacy of one’s home, with privacy controls to anonymize data. The journey from inception to funding was serendipitous, beginning as a joke during a poker night in 2021. Throne’s co-founders, lacking hardware development experience, encountered skepticism but ultimately secured the necessary expertise and partnerships. Notable investors include Lance Armstrong and John Capodilupo, the latter joining Throne as Chief Product Officer. Collaborations with researchers from the University of Washington and the University of Chicago are underway to validate the product. The startup plans to launch the product in January 2026.