Oura to acquire AI-native primary care startup Counsel Health for $625M

Oura, a wearable health technology company, is acquiring AI-native primary care startup Counsel Health for $625 million. Oura had previously postponed its up to $2.2 billion IPO due to market uncertainty. The acquisition will integrate Counsel's AI-powered healthcare platform into Oura's existing app, allowing users to access medical advice and care, and expand the partnership to include preventative, acute, and specialty care. Counsel's 70 employees, including CEO Muthu Alagappan, will join Oura as the company's chief clinical AI officer. Oura plans to expand its business and help users access medical care, while Counsel will continue to serve existing and new enterprise partners, aiming to reach more people beyond Oura's membership. The deal comes as Oura faces competition from emerging smart ring rivals like RingConn and Ultrahuman.