TechCrunch Startup News The wild story of how gut health AI toilet startup Throne raised $4M led by Moxxie
May 27, 2025
Discover the wild journey of Throne, an innovative startup creating AI-powered toilets for gut health monitoring. Dive into the serendipitous twists that led to their successful $4M seed round, supported by the fortunate hand of fate. Hear about the founders' personal drives and their challenges in pivoting from previous ventures. It’s a story of unexpected challenges and remarkable support, blending technology with a dash of humor!
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Founders' Smart Toilet Origin Joke
- Co-founders Scott Hickel and Tim Blumberg joked about starting a smart toilet company during a poker game in 2021.
- Later, they pivoted to this idea seriously after another startup failed, even naming the company Throne early on.
Health Insights from Waste
- Human waste can provide valuable health info for chronic conditions monitoring.
- Conditions include IBS, colon cancers, kidney disease, prostate issues, and menstrual blood monitoring.
Lance Armstrong Investment Story
- The founders pitched Lance Armstrong after being introduced by his business manager.
- Armstrong, a cancer survivor, supported Throne and invested after testing the prototype.