Livongo Health, a startup led by Chicago entrepreneur Glen Tullman, has acquired Chicago startup Retrofit.
Livongo announced Tuesday that it has bought Retrofit, maker of weight-management and disease-prevention programs, for an undisclosed price. The acquisition comes on the heels of Livongo's $105 million fundraise last week.
The consumer digital health company helps people manage diabetes and other chronic health conditions. Founded in 2014, the startup is based in Mountain View but has a large and growing office in Chicago. The company said it will add Retrofit’s 80 employees to its team.
Retrofit launched in 2011 and has raised more than $15 million in venture funding from investors such as Hyde Park Angels, Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Chicago Ventures and Cambia Health Solutions.
Retrofit is a weight-loss company that uses technology and human coaching to develop personalized strategies that help people to lose weight. As part of the acquisition, Retrofit's Diabetes Prevention program will now be available from Livongo as "Livongo DPP powered by Retrofit."
“Retrofit has built strong, evidence based, offerings in weight management and disease prevention and brings a great group of committed people," Tullman, Livongo's CEO, said in a statement. "We’re excited to welcome their team into the Livongo family.”
Retrofit launched as a consumer product, but it has grown in recent years by targeting businesses, selling to companies like Yum! Brands and health insurance companies. Of Retrofit's users, 88 percent lose weight and 78 percent maintain that weight loss one year later, the company says.
The startup was founded by Jeff Hyman and is currently led by CEO Mary Pigatti, who is joining Livongo post-acquisition.
“Retrofit and Livongo are like-minded in strategy, values and culture," Pigatti said in a statement. "Together we will provide a comprehensive set of solutions for the prevention and treatment of chronic conditions that address the whole person.”
