Impressivo to bridge fitness and healthcare industry via sensing technology

San Francisco-based startup Impressivo is seeking partnerships in the fitness and healthcare sector as the company aims to bridge the fitness and healthcare industry via machine learning and human-computer interaction (HCI) technology such as touch sensing solutions.

Human-computer interaction focuses on improving user experience and efficiency by enhancing the way people interact with technology. Impressivo specializes in creating HCI solutions, software and hardware. Its core product FAIV platform is a human behavior recognition sensing solution based on machine learning and 3D multi-touch technology that measures people's movements to collect health data.

"There's so much valuable data that just evaporates into the air every day during home fitness routines such as yoga, cycling, walking and running," said Ahn Yeong-seok, the chief executive of Impressivo, in an interview with The Korea Economic Daily on June 30.

According to Ahn, each movement contains significant information that reflects the person's health condition. For example, a single squat can indicate if the person's left thigh is stronger; if the person's pelvic bone is not aligned; and if the balance is off.

"When people walk on treadmills, analyzing their walking patterns can help identify early symptoms of Alzheimer's and stroke. Also, their feet conditions can help detect potential cardiovascular diseases," said Ahn, explaining that Impressivo's technology can assess and gather user's health data via fitness mats.

Mats are commonly used at home for yoga, weight lifting and even on the treadmill. While most products have basic data tracking technology to provide step counts and calorie counts, Impressivo adds value by offering data that can be used to help diagnose medical conditions.

EYEING THE US MARKET FROM THE VERY BEGINNING

In 2017, Impressivo applied to the US-based startup accelerator Y Combinator and made the first round, but ended up having to pass the opportunity due to internal issues. But the company went on to become the first Korean company to join the Berkeley SkyDeck portfolio.

CEO Ahn says he set sights on the US from the beginning because the home fitness market is one of the most dynamic and active segments in the US in terms of M&A and investments. Also, home fitness has become even more popular amid the global pandemic due to fitness centers shutting down and social distancing.

For example, leading fitness company Peloton’s valuation stood at around $8 billion at the time of its initial public offering in 2019. As of June 30, its market cap hovers around $37.5 billion. Also last year, popular athleisure brand Lululemon acquired a home fitness startup Mirror for $500 million, said Ahn.

Impressivo's next steps include securing strategic partnerships in the US, mostly fitness or healthcare companies that would benefit from the startup's sensing solutions. 

"We can become a turnkey solution for companies looking to adopt machine learning and sensing technology," said Ahn.

The company has been in contact with a few companies to discuss opportunities that include selling the licensing model of its sensing modules, customizing sensing technology solutions and offering data services. Some of the companies that Impressivo has held talks with include Peloton and Lululemon.

"Our goal is to disrupt the existing fitness and healthcare market with our technology instead of focusing on short-term sales. Ultimately, we want to become the next Peloton in the smart fitness and healthcare sensing solution market," said Ahn.

Last year, Impressivo raised pre-Series A funding from venture capital firms including Kakao Ventures. The company plans to conduct another round of fundraising next year.

By Danbee Lee