Forward, the AI-Powered 'Future Clinic' Co-Founded by Former Google and Uber Executives, Files for IPO
When you push open the door and step into this store located in San Francisco’s Financial District, doesn’t it feel like walking into an Apple Store? In fact, this space was co-founded by Adrian Aoun, the founder of Wavii.Forward, a clinic co-founded by executives from Google and Uber.
After the patient enters, they log in to their account via iPad.Forword’s full-body scanner makes the process resemble a scene from a high-tech blockbuster; after the scan is completed,, the screen will display a set of biometric data, including height, weight, and body temperature. Sensors generate an invisible thermal map in front of the patient; sensing rays penetrate this thermal map to measure the patient’s heart rate and blood oxygen saturation. This diagnostic data is then transmitted to the backend system for physician access. Compared with the current practice of measuring these parameters individually, this approach offers a novel experience that reduces the time required from patients.
If it only had these features, you would be underestimating this “Future Clinic.”When communicating with patients in the examination room, physicians neither need to take notes by hand nor type on a computer; the medical system features voice recognition capabilities that document the patient’s condition based on their medical history and the monitoring data just obtained.，Integrating its own medical big data system, it provides specific diagnostic recommendations and treatment plans displayed on the screen for reference by physicians and patients.
Beyond its high-tech appeal, the facility is also highly user-friendly. For instance, certain routine tests require urine samples, which can easily spill during transport, causing considerable embarrassment. Forword has fully accounted for this: patients simply need to collect their urine in the restroom and place it at a designated spot, where an automated delivery system will transport it to the appropriate destination.
In addition, forword not only boasts a stunning appearance but also possesses robust underlying capabilities.Here, real-time blood tests yield reports in just 12 minutes, and cancer prediction services via genetic testing are also available. Patients receiving medical care here benefit from free medication for their initial prescription.
Of course, such clinics are not inexpensive. Members are required to pay $149 per month, billed annually, and can access these services at any time. Additionally, Forward has developed a mobile app that allows members to receive their health reports anytime, anywhere. Beyond this, Forward also sells other merchandise, such as wearable devices, vitamins and supplements, and skincare products. For patients traveling abroad, there is even a specially designed Forward travel kit.
In 2016, Forword secured financing. The company already had more than 30 employees and had recruited a group of key executives as investors, includingGoogleExecutive Chairman Eric Schmidt, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff,Tesla Venture CapitalKhosla Ventures、BoxCEO Aaron Levie,StumbleUpon/Uber co-founder Garrett Camp,Thrive Capital/Oscarco-founder Joshua Kushner, andPalantir, co-founder Joe Lonsdale.
Foreign media outlet TechCrunch asked another investor, Josh Kopelman of First Round, why he chose to back Forward. He said:
“Based on my grandfather’s experience from fifty years ago, healthcare delivery has hardly changed today. Forward addresses a critical pain point in healthcare. With a clear vision, it leverages technologies long overlooked by the healthcare sector—including sensors, mobile internet, and artificial intelligence—to usher us into the future. We are highly interested in this team and their mission!”
The founder of this clinic is Adrian Aoun, the founder of the natural language processing company Wavii.
forwordFounder: Adrian Aoun
Aoun isExpert in the Field of Information ProcessingWavii, which he founded, primarily develops autonomous aggregation technology and natural summarization algorithms. It can link to users’ Facebook accounts, learn their behaviors and interests based on their activity, and further distill from massive amounts of information the content that is most interesting or valuable to each user—precisely what attracted the search giant Google.
Google acquired Wavii for $30 million. Following the acquisition, its founder joined Google. Adrian Aoun, who had previously been engaged in artificial intelligence research at Google, took on a new role as the head of special projects, where he helped launch Sidewalk Labs. Sidewalk Labs is a subsidiary of Alphabet, the publicly traded parent company of the Google empire, and is dedicated to finding ways to improve urban living. However, Adrian Aoun had already planned to leave before being persuaded by Google CEO Larry Page to stay.
During his tenure, Aoun also invested surplus funds in startups such as Pinterest, Vurb, Layer, and AltSchool.