Eight years ago, Dr. William Kapp, an orthopedic surgeon, attended a pivotal medical conference. Transitioning from a private practice doctor to co-founding and selling a company that built critical care hospitals, he developed an interest in both the medical and business sides of healthcare.
At an annual conference by Dr. Daniel Kraft, Kapp learned about new tech improving outcomes and reducing costs. Dr. Peter Diamandis and Dr. Bob Hariri discussed genomics, microbiomics, and innovative technologies outside mainstream medicine.
Inspired, Kapp returned to Naples, Florida, to establish the Longevity Performance Center, focusing on health optimization and early detection.
In March 2020, Diamandis and Tony Robbins visited Kapp’s center with their startup, Fountain Therapeutics. Discussions led to a merger, forming Fountain Life by October, with Kapp as CEO and Diamandis and Robbins as co-founders and board members.
The board also includes Hariri as an adviser, Ashley Furniture CEO Todd Wanek, and investor B.K. Modi.
Fountain Life exclusively revealed to TechCrunch an $18 million Series B funding round led by EOS Ventures, with prior Series A raising $80 million, totaling $108 million, said Kapp.
Longevity is a new frontier in medical study. Initially unclear, more research has emerged over the last years. The first principle Kapp emphasizes is “don’t die of anything stupid” with prevention screenings. Blood tests and scans collect data on over 100 biomarkers.
The second principle involves optimization, enhancing markers with scientific treatments. The third principle uses FDA trial-approved regenerative therapies for illness treatment and optimization.
Tests may discover conditions like small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), potentially leading to cancer if untreated, with treatment via prescribed microbiotics.
Fountain members undergo quarterly test repetitions, track results, and consult the AI-powered app, Zori.
However, the cost is significant, with a full subscription at $30,000 annually. A $10,000 package covers testing and AI, excluding ongoing tests and support.
Kapp recalls impactful cases like a membership gift detecting kidney cancer early, saving a life. Similarly, Sam Nazarian partnered with Fountain after discovering and treating a brain aneurysm through the tests.
The new funding will facilitate opening more centers, in addition to Naples, Orlando, Dallas, and Westchester, New York. A Houston center is planned for December, with Los Angeles and Miami next.
By expanding clinic development, Fountain aims to lower costs through wider tech and expertise availability.
Other startups include Dr. Mark Hyman’s Function Health, offering 160 blood tests with a $500/year membership plus additional fees, analyzing results without body scans or doctor access.
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