An Austin startup is turning bathroom breaks into health checkups. Throne, a smart toilet company born from a poker game joke, has secured $4 million in seed funding to develop its AI-powered gut health monitoring system.

Investors Flush With Interest The funding round was led by Moxxie Ventures founder Katie Jacobs Stanton, with participation from notable figures including former cycling champion Lance Armstrong, Rupa Health co-founder Tara Viswanathan, and TrueMed founder Justin Mares. The investment will accelerate product development ahead of a planned 2026 launch.

High-Tech Health Monitoring Throne's device transforms ordinary toilets into intelligent health stations. Using computer vision and AI software, it analyzes waste to track intestinal health and chronic disease markers. The system includes robust privacy protections, anonymizing all data sent to researchers.

"We're bringing lab-grade analysis into people's homes," said CEO Scott Hickle. The company recently brought on WHOOP co-founder John Capodilupo as Chief Product Officer to guide hardware development.

From Poker Table to Prototype The unlikely journey began in 2021 when mechanical engineer Hickle and software engineer Tim Blumberg joked about smart toilets during a poker game. After their nurse recruitment startup failed in 2023, an investor's offhand comment revived the idea.

Market research revealed surprising potential. Fecal analysis can detect conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, colon cancer, and chronic kidney disease—making the concept more than just bathroom humor.

Unconventional Funding Journey Securing investment came with memorable moments. Armstrong wrote a check immediately after testing the prototype at his home—a surreal experience for founders waiting outside his bathroom door.

Chance encounters proved pivotal. A high school connection introduced Stanton, while random meetings led to collaborations with University of Washington and University of Chicago research teams. One partnership emerged when a friend met a urology researcher on a plane.

Transforming Preventative Care With chronic diseases affecting millions globally, Throne aims to make early detection as routine as using the bathroom. The home health monitoring market continues expanding rapidly—perfect timing for their discreet, AI-driven solution.

The funding will support final product development and academic research partnerships before the planned commercial launch. Could this be the future of preventative healthcare? For investors betting on Throne, the answer appears to be a resounding yes.

Key Points

1. Throne's smart toilet uses AI to analyze waste for health monitoring
2. $4 million seed round included Lance Armstrong among investors
3. Device features privacy protections for sensitive health data
4. Startup plans commercial launch in January 2026
5. Research partnerships validate medical potential of fecal analysis