Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is just one of the high-profile investors in the new round of funding for the WHOOP personal health platform.
Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
If ESPN and the Wall Street Journal joined forces, their guest list might resemble the roster of investors who recently contributed over half a billion dollars to the WHOOP health platform, which is powered by artificial intelligence.
This company’s wearable device integrates with an analytics platform that aims to help users “extend healthspan, optimize performance, and prevent disease before it begins.” This potential has attracted a Series G investment of $575 million for WHOOP, valuing the company at $10.1 billion. The firm describes its backers as “the world’s most sophisticated investors, leading health institutions, and iconic global athletes.”
The list of investors is indeed noteworthy. In sports, it includes figures like LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Rory McIlroy. Financial contributors include the Qatar Investment Authority, the Mubadala Investment Company, and Abu Dhabi’s 2PointZero Group. From the healthcare sector, backers include Abbott Laboratories and the Mayo Clinic.
The funding round was spearheaded by the Collaborative Fund, which seeks to support companies operating at the crossroads of profit and positive societal impact.
Performance vs. Promises
The “for-good” aspect comes with some reservations. WHOOP’s press release claims its biometric monitoring system is vital for individuals aiming to perform and live at their peak. Yet, it’s uncertain how the platform will appeal to those more concerned with maintaining adequate health and wealth for a fulfilling life with loved ones.
The WHOOP device, worn on the wrist or body, tracks “optimal sleep” and monitors resting heart rate and heart rate variability, among other key metrics “scientifically proven to make the most significant impact on your health.” It offers “predictive, personalized health insights,” powered by over 24 billion hours of physiological data and AI models, contingent on users maintaining their annual membership.
WHOOP positions its “health operating system” as a means to extend one’s “healthspan” to enviable lengths, evoking historical figures known for their quests for longevity.
While the device has its fans, some reviews are more measured. A June 2025 review by John O’Connor, founder of a company that uses genetic algorithms for diet recommendations, compared WHOOP’s strap to the Oura ring. Despite noting pros and cons, O’Connor concluded that the product offers valuable health insights, especially over prolonged use.
Similarly, an article in the journal Sensor analyzed extensive data from WHOOP subscribers and found “real-world evidence” that sustained use of the wearable could lead to healthier habits and improved physiological outcomes.
Though not revolutionary, these findings are promising.
The Big Picture
In October, Oura raised $900 million in a Series E round, valuing it at $11 billion, without any famous athletes among its investors. Both WHOOP and Oura’s capital raises highlight the growing significance of “patient-reported health data” and the role of AI in making such data actionable and clinically relevant.
However, challenges remain in achieving consistent metrics accuracy and wearability comfort. Just as LeBron, Ronaldo, and McIlroy evolved into champions, the technology will likely need time to mature. Perhaps one day, LeBron, known as “King James,” might earn the nickname “PROM King,” referring to “patient-reported outcome measures.”
