Limbo Raises $6 Million For Its Digital Weight Loss Tools

Weight-loss tech startup Limbo has raised $6 million, and one of its backers is Shaquille O’Neal.

The startup describes itself as a digital weight loss and body modification service that helps guide users through their weight loss efforts.

It was founded by serial entrepreneur Pat Phelan, who founded Trustev and cosmetic beauty chain Sisu, and Rurik Bradbury, a former Trustev executive. It is headquartered in New York and has a research center in Ireland.

The round was led by Hoxton Ventures and was joined by several angel investors alongside basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal, including former Irish rugby player Jamie Heaslip, Web Summit founder Paddy Cosgrave and Seedcamp.

With its new funding, Limbo will officially launch its subscription service in the UK and Ireland.

Its hardware, including glucose sensors, scales and smart bracelets, as well as its software platform, collects data on a user’s physical condition and uses artificial intelligence to develop individual weight loss plans.

According to the startup, early adopters lost an average of 12 percent of their body weight within three months.

“Limbo’s approach saved my life. I started with obesity, prediabetes, and was sure I wouldn’t see my grandkids in the neighborhood,” said Limbo co-founder Pat Phelan.

“When I discovered the system we ended up becoming Limbo, I realized we had an opportunity to solve one of the most pressing problems facing the world today. We finally found an easy way out of the obesity trap. Now we are ready to empower people in All over the world taking control of their health and weight in an easy and effective way they never imagined possible.”

Chief executive Bradbury said data generated by early private users Limbo provided strong evidence for rolling out the service to a wider market.

“With this funding, we can serve more people to lose weight and gain energy with unprecedented ease and bring us closer to our goal of ending the global obesity crisis,” he said.