PowerDot

PowerDot, founded in 2016 by Eric Glader, developed a wearable smart muscle stimulation device aimed at the consumer wellness market. Glader, who had an entrepreneurial drive from a young age and a background in business administration, served as the company's CEO. He identified an opportunity to create a more consumer-friendly product based on technology from a larger medical company, leading to the establishment of PowerDot. The company's core product is a portable device that utilizes both Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) technologies. These technologies send electrical pulses to cause muscle contractions, which can help increase blood flow, support recovery, relieve pain, and enhance athletic performance.

The system operates through a mobile application that connects to the wearable pods via Bluetooth, allowing users to control and customize their sessions. The app features various pre-programmed settings for different needs, such as active recovery, massage, and warm-ups. The business model focused on direct-to-consumer sales, primarily through its e-commerce platform. The product was sold as a single device (Uno) or a pair (Duo), with revenue generated from the initial hardware purchase and the recurring sale of disposable electrode pads. The target market included athletes and general consumers seeking at-home solutions for pain management and muscle recovery.

On April 15, 2021, the health technology company Therabody acquired PowerDot for $34 million. The acquisition was a strategic move for Therabody to integrate PowerDot's clinical-grade electrical stimulation technology into its ecosystem of wellness products, which includes the Theragun. This allowed Therabody to broaden its portfolio and make advanced recovery technology more accessible to a wider consumer base. Following the acquisition, PowerDot began operating as a subsidiary of Therabody, enabling it to scale its business by leveraging Therabody's established market presence and resources.

Keywords: smart muscle stimulator, electrical muscle stimulation, TENS device, NMES device, athletic performance, pain relief, muscle recovery, wearable technology, app-controlled device, Therabody, Eric Glader, consumer wellness, physiotherapy, portable electrostimulator, fitness technology, recovery tech, direct-to-consumer, e-commerce, healthtech, sports medicine, rehabilitation tool