This Week in Startups

Oura CEO Tom Hale on Hardware-as-a-Service, navigating ZIRP, journey to CEO & more! | E1812

Sep 19, 2023

01:09:16

Snipd AI

Tom Hale, CEO of Oura, discusses his journey to becoming CEO, subscription-based business models, navigating ZIRP, and scaling a hardware business. They also talk about the significance of subscriptions, cultivating positive habits, leading a company and instilling core values.

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Quick takeaways

Integration of Aura ring with Natural Cycles provides non-hormonal contraceptive option for family planning.

Quality sleep is a powerful and free drug that positively impacts overall health and well-being.

Transitioning to a combined hardware and software business model through subscription services enhances customer experience and continuous innovation.

Deep dives

Integration with Natural Cycles

The podcast episode discusses the integration of the Aura ring with an FDA-cleared digital contraceptive called Natural Cycles. The ring tracks the user's temperature overnight and relays this data to the Natural Cycles app. The app analyzes the temperature data and informs the user about their fertility status, helping with family planning. This integration solves a significant pain point for young women who don't want to rely on hormonal contraception and want to listen to their bodies. The powerful combination of the Aura ring and Natural Cycles has attracted passionate users who appreciate the product's value.

Introduction

2min

The Importance of Subscriptions and Hardware-Software Integration

9min

Insurance for Startups and Pricing Models, Long-Term Value of Health Tracking

6min

Designing and Manufacturing the Ring: Challenges and Considerations

8min

Sleep Tracking, Hiring Developers, and Transitioning as CEO

5min

Joining a Company and Building Team Connections

9min

Streamlining Contract Management with LinkSquares

3min

Good vs Great Ideas in the ZIRP Environment

6min

Exercise Routines and Recovery

21min

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Today’s show:

Oura CEO Tom Hale joins Jason to discuss his journey to becoming CEO of Oura (3:02), subscription-based business models (7:05), navigating ZIRP (39:37), the challenges of scaling a hardware business (45:00), and so much more!

Time stamps:

(0:00) Oura CEO Tom Hale joins Jason

(3:02) Tom's journey to becoming CEO

(7:05) The significance of subscription models for business operations & product innovation

(11:28) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist

(12:57) Oura's subscription-based business model

(23:04) Cultivating positive habits & Oura’s advanced tracking features

(26:26) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist

(27:47) Leading a company and instilling core values

(34:51) The impact of pausing marketing & harnessing the power of virality

(38:20) LinkSquares - The go-to for all your legal needs, learn more at https://linksquares.com/twist

(39:37) The ZIRP phenomenon and the challenges of scaling up