Lumen

Lumen, officially MetaFlow Ltd., was established in 2014 by twin sisters Merav and Michal Mor, alongside entrepreneurs Daniel Tal, Dror Ceder, and Avi Smila. The genesis of the company stemmed from the founders' personal experiences as athletes and scientists. Merav and Michal, both PhDs in physiology and Ironman winners, sought a practical method to measure their metabolism to optimize their training and nutrition, a process typically confined to costly and time-consuming laboratory tests. This pursuit led to the development of a handheld device that could provide real-time metabolic insights.

The company's core product is a portable metabolism tracker that analyzes the carbon dioxide concentration in a user's breath to determine whether their body is primarily burning carbohydrates or fats for fuel. This technology is based on the Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RER), a scientific metric traditionally measured in clinical settings. The device, which pairs with a mobile application, provides users with a score from 1 to 5, indicating their current metabolic state. Based on these real-time measurements, the app delivers personalized daily nutrition plans, meal timing recommendations, and guidance on sleep and exercise. The overarching goal is to improve a user's metabolic flexibility—the body's efficiency in switching between fuel sources. This enhanced flexibility is associated with benefits like easier weight management, stable energy levels, and improved overall health.

Lumen operates on a direct-to-consumer model, generating revenue through the sale of the physical device, which requires a subscription to access the accompanying app's full features and personalized guidance. The business targets individuals seeking to lose weight, improve fitness, and gain a deeper understanding of their bodies. After four years of research and development, the company launched a highly successful Indiegogo campaign in 2018, surpassing the $1 million funding mark within weeks. Subsequently, Lumen has secured significant venture capital, including a $62 million Series B funding round in late 2022, to support its global expansion and research efforts.

Keywords: metabolic tracker, personalized nutrition, breath analysis, fat burn, metabolic flexibility, metabolism measurement, health technology, wellness device, nutrition coach, diet plan, weight management, fitness optimization, CO2 sensor, respiratory exchange ratio, mobile health, direct-to-consumer, physiology, real-time feedback, sustainable habits, energy levels, data-driven health, nutrition science, bio-hacking