Eli Health, a six-year-old health tech startup developing continuous hormone monitoring technology, has raised a $12 million Series A and launched its platform for cortisol measurement in beta. The Series A, which brings the company’s total funding to $20 million, was led by BDC Capital’s women-led-company-focused Thrive Venture Fund, and featured participation from several other firms including existing investor Muse Capital, whose founding partner Assia Grazioli-Venier is an Eli Health board member.

“This milestone is extremely meaningful, because to get to this point, it was close to six years of [research and development],” Eli Health co-founder and CEO Marina Pavlovic Rivas told SBJ. “For the first time, people are able to measure their hormones instantly, and this funding enables us to accelerate access to the product and to expand to other biomarkers.”

Founded in 2019 by Pavlovic Rivas and Thomas Cortina, life partners with respective backgrounds in data science and mechanical engineering/physics, Eli Health’s core innovation is in continuous hormone monitoring through saliva.

The company’s flagship product, the “Hormometer,” tests saliva for key hormones like cortisol (which cycles within the body daily) and progesterone (which cycles monthly) via a collection device — then, leveraging computer vision models to analyze the sample, returns results and AI-powered trends/recommendations to its mobile app through one’s phone camera.

Cortisol and progesterone levels have holistic health impacts, Pavlovic Rivas stresses, including on athletic performance and injury risk. And Eli Health’s innovative method of testing and monitoring, which is FDA-registered and third-party validated, will expand access to the data. Traditionally, blood or saliva-based hormone testing is done in-person at a lab, or through kits mailed to a lab, which can cost anywhere from $100-500 per test and take days-to-weeks to return results. Eli Health’s direct-to-consumer model costs $8 per test (minimum four tests per month) and produces results within minutes.

Pavlovic Rivas said Eli Health’s capacity to monitor both cortisol and progesterone are commercially ready, but the company is launching its cortisol monitoring first because of its broader applicability.

“One in three adults are affected by dysregulation when it comes to cortisol, and that’s true across gender, across ages,” Pavlovic Rivas said, noting that cortisol can impact areas including metabolic health, cardiovascular health, physical performance, cognitive performance and mental health. “We’re starting with that focus, and progesterone will follow shortly.”

Eli Health’s primary business focus is on its direct-to-consumer offering, but Pavlovic Rivas added the company is also currently piloting its technology with two sports teams. While declining to disclose the teams or their sports, she said one is a men’s team using Eli Health’s tech for cortisol monitoring, and one is a women’s team monitoring cortisol and progesterone levels in its players. Already, Pavlovic Rivas said she has seen teams adjust the intensity of training sessions based on the Hormometer’s real-time testing and monitoring capabilities.

“Having that ability to have the data instantly, instead of doing blood work once per season or a few times per season, it enables them to make instant decisions,” Pavlovic Rivas said, adding that, for cortisol, it would be normal to test twice per day (once in the morning and once in the evening), but in a sports team context that number can reach five or more to incorporate additional data points pre- and post-training. “This information would be impossible to get with delayed testing, because it takes at best a few days and, in most cases, a few weeks [to return results].”

With a fresh design, smarter insights and new tools to help users stay consistent, Apple is doubling down on personalized fitness

At its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) yesterday, Apple previewed watchOS 26, showcasing a more intelligent and inspiring experience for Apple Watch users. The update includes a redesigned Workout app, new planning features for Apple Fitness+ and Workout Buddy, an innovative motivational tool powered by Apple Intelligence.

Workout Buddy utilizes on-device intelligence to provide personalized, spoken encouragement during workouts. Leveraging each user’s heart rate, distance, pace, Activity rings and past achievements, the feature provides real-time feedback to boost motivation and consistency.

The Workout app itself has also received its biggest update since its launch. With a redesigned interface and four new corner buttons, users can quickly access their favorite features, including Custom Workouts, Pacer, Race Route and Workout Views. Music and podcast integration also got a boost: users can now set audio to play automatically when they begin a workout. Apple Music can even suggest playlists based on the workout type and personal preferences, while podcast recommendations draw from listening history.

Apple Fitness+ is also getting smarter with the introduction of Ready-made Custom Plans. These personalized plans are built automatically based on user preferences such as favorite activities, preferred durations, trainers and music. Three new options help cater to different fitness goals: Stay Consistent provides a schedule aligned with current habits, Push Further increases workout intensity or frequency and Get Started offers a gentle introduction for newcomers. All plans are contained in a dedicated Plans page for easy access.

Beyond fitness, watchOS 26 introduces a new visual design with Liquid Glass, improved Smart Stack suggestions based on contextual data and Live Translation for messages. Apple Watch users will also see smarter messaging suggestions and gain the ability to manage notifications with a simple flick of the wrist.

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The public beta will be available next month.

A cloud storage company and its subsidiary prevailed against a third round of proposed class action claims alleging the companies committed fraud in advertising consumer access to a free “lifetime cloud license” and “automatic firmware updates.”

The proposed consumer class repeatedly failed to address pitfalls in their argument identified by the lower court or explain why the previous opportunities to do so were insufficient, a Ninth Circuit panel decided Tuesday.

• The Ninth Circuit green-lit a denial of plaintiffs’ breach of express warranty …

Hawk-Eye has teamed up with Global Academy to give students access to its replay technology. Pictured [L to R]: Conrad Lynton, Global Academy student; Werner Booysen, senior product manager, Hawk-Eye Broadcast Solutions; Mark Pendergast, director of development, Global Academy; Doug Price, head of commercial and operations, Hawk-Eye Broadcast Solutions; Kinte Hayles-Ricahrds, student, Global Academy; and Reece Collins, director of technical, Global Academy

Global Academy and Sony’s Hawk-Eye Innovations have announced a partnership set to provide students with access to cutting edge sports replay technology. This collaboration marks a significant step in bridging the gap between education and the professional sports broadcast industry, offering students on Global Academy’s new Level 3 Sports Media pathway a unique, hands-on learning experience.

This strategic initiative will see Hawk-Eye’s industry-standard broadcast solutions, HawkReplay and HawkNest installed. The replay equipment will be onsite at Global Academy’s state-of-the-art media training facility in West London. This is the only such provision in the UK, placing Global Academy students at the forefront of sports media training.

Key Partnership Highlights:

• Exclusive Onsite Access: Global Academy students will have direct, hands-on access to Hawk-Eye equipment, the very same technology used across top-tier global sporting events and federations, providing an authentic industry experience.
• Pioneering UK Initiative: This is the only partnership in the UK to provide this level of professional replay equipment directly within an academy setting, offering a unique advantage to Global Academy students.
• Supporting the New Sports Media Course: This collaboration is a cornerstone of Global Academy’s brand new Level 3 Sports Media sixth form pathway, launching in September 2025. The course is specifically designed for 16-18 year olds aspiring to careers in the sports media and broadcast sector.
• Industry-Leading Skills Development: Students will develop crucial operational skills and knowledge using professional-grade equipment, ensuring they are well-prepared for the demands of the sports broadcast industry.
• Fostering Future Talent: The collaboration aims to create a direct pipeline of skilled young professionals ready to innovate and excel in the dynamic world of sports broadcast and media.

Global Academy, which was recently rated Outstanding in key areas by Ofsted, will integrate the Hawk-Eye technology directly into its curriculum for the new Level 3 Sports Media pathway. This unique course will allow students to develop the skills and knowledge for the sports media, marketing, and broadcast sector by providing hands-on practical learning with employers and partners in their state-of-the-art media training facility in West London.

A spokesperson for Global Academy said: “We are incredibly excited to launch this groundbreaking partnership with Hawk-Eye. Providing our students with onsite access to this industry-leading replay equipment is a game-changer. It perfectly aligns with our commitment to delivering practical, career-focused education. It will be integral to our new Level 3 Sports Media course, empowering the next generation of sports media professionals. This is a significant investment in our students’ futures and in the future of the UK sports media industry.”

K. Douglas Price, head of commercial and operations, broadcast solutions at Hawk-Eye commented: “We are proud to partner with Global Academy to support the development of new talent in the sports media industry. By providing students access to our best-in-class replay technology, we aim to equip them with the practical skills and experience needed to thrive in this fast-paced sector. This unique initiative in the UK demonstrates our commitment to fostering innovation and expertise for the new generation of professionals entering the broadcast industry.”

This collaboration underscores Global Academy’s dedication to providing industry-leading educational opportunities and further solidifies its position as a hub for nurturing talent in the media and entertainment sectors. Integrating Hawk-Eye technology will ensure students on the new Sports Media course receive an unparalleled educational experience, preparing them for successful careers in the vibrant sports media landscape.

Genius Sports has signed a multi-year extension to its strategic technology partnership with the National Football League (NFL).

The agreement will run through to the end of 2029 NFL season. Genius began working with the league in 2021, while a previous extension was due to expire in 2028.

Genius will remain the NFL’s exclusive distributor of real-time, official play-by-play statistics and proprietary Next Gen Stats (NGS) data. It will also continue to provide the NFL’s official sports betting data feed to media companies and betting operators worldwide.

The deal will also see Genius remain the sole supplier of NFL watch and bet low latency live games to sportsbooks internationally. On top of this, it will now exclusively represent the in-game advertising inventory.

As the official reseller of the NFL’s international owned and operated advertising inventory and legal sports betting advertising inventory in the US, Genius will leverage its proprietary FANHub platform.

Genius and the NFL will also collaborate on other activation opportunities with FANHub.

NFL and Genius pledge new innovations

The expanded deal will also see the NFL and Genius collaborate across a number of new joint projects. These will build on the BetVision streaming solution for low latency live games on mobile, launched in 2023.

Under the partnership, Genius also operated a “first-of-its-kind” branded EA SPORTS Madden NFL broadcast in 2024.

The GeniusIQ sports data and AI platform will continue to deliver solutions across betting, advertising, broadcast and fan experiences. In addition, Genius will continue to provide integrity services across all NFL games and major events.

“Across data, video, advertising, and integrity services, Genius has proven to be an important strategic partner through the first four seasons of our partnership,” NFL Vice President of Development & Strategic Investments Deve Brent Lawton said.

“We are excited to extend and expand our partnership as we continue to partner on innovative ways to deliver content to NFL fans.” 

Genius CEO Mark Locke also welcomed the new deal. He said working with the NFL will help accelerate the company’s own business.

“Our expanded NFL partnership further strengthens our leading position at the heart of the sports technology ecosystem, and represents a key milestone in our FANHub rollout, setting a new standard for data-driven immersive experiences for NFL fans, broadcasters, teams, sportsbooks, brands, and sponsors,” Locke said.