Kinsa Inc.
TypePrivate
FoundedMarch 2012 (2012-03)
FounderInder Singh
HeadquartersSan Francisco, California
Websitekinsahealth.com

Kinsa Inc. is a health technology company headquartered in San Francisco, California, United States. Kinsa helps individuals and communities stop the spread of infectious illness by building a communication network that connects more than a million users with a free app, email alerts, and a connected thermometer.[1]

History

The company was founded by Inder Singh in March 2012.[2][3][4]

In 2014, Kinsa raised $9.6 million, led by the venture firm Kleiner Perkins, to be used for developing and testing its first medical thermometer, a thermometer that uses smartphone-connected sensors.[5]

Later in 2014, Kinsa received FDA 510(k) clearance for the smart thermometer.[6] It began to be sold in Apple stores in December 2014.[4] and was featured in an Apple commercial.

In 2015 Kinsa launched another product, a BLE smart ear thermometer, which syncs with the app via Bluetooth.[7][8] It uses the same health tracker app.[9]

In 2016, Kinsa launched its third product, a second smart ear thermometer, in partnership with Sesame Street[10] Updates to the app for the new smart thermometer include the voice and image of Elmo who speaks to kids as they're taking their temperatures.

In March 2017, Kinsa closed a $17 Million Series B round of financing in March 2017, led by GSR Ventures.

In January 2018, Kinsa's QuickCare Thermometer launched to the public.

During 2020, Kinsa used its database of US temperature data to predict COVID-19 hot spots. Often before public health officials noticed them.[11]

Products and services

Kinsa studies the unique features of an illness and incorporates what's circulating nearby to offer personalized guidance from symptom onset through recovery. By analyzing geographic illness trends, Kinsa quickly identifies at-risk areas and mobilizes the organizations that can help stop the spread.

Kinsa's smart thermometer collects illness data which is analyzed and displayed by an app developed by the company.[12][13] Users can track temperatures, symptoms, medication doses and diagnoses, as well as get real-time guidance on what to do if symptoms are cause for concern.[14] The app also has a local groups feature for school communities with a health summary and message board. It tells members which illnesses are going around their school, such as the flu or strep throat.[15][16]

Kinsa thermometers and apps track symptoms and health history, and offer personalized guidance, services and information about illnesses circulating nearby to help individuals get better faster. The company's line of smart thermometers include the first-ever FDA-cleared, app-enabled smart stick thermometer, a smart ear thermometer, a Sesame Street branded smart ear thermometer, and the Kinsa QuickCare thermometer (oral, underarm, rectal).

Awards

  • Cleveland Clinic Medical Innovation - Grand Prize[17]
  • Demo Mobile 2013 - Grand Prize[18]
  • New York City Innovate Health Tech - Grand Prize[19]

References

  1. ↑ "They've Taken America's Temperature — and It's Running High". The NY Times. 2019-02-14. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  2. ↑ "Tracking illness in your community may soon be a breeze with a smart thermometer". Digital Trends, By Jenny McGrath — March 4, 2015
  3. ↑ "Kinsa smart thermometer uses app to note symptoms, curb disease". San Francisco Chronicle. By Carolyn Said December 28, 2015
  4. 1 2 "Kinsa raises $9.6 million to continue to grow its smart thermometer business". Washington Post, Matt McFarland December 11, 2014
  5. ↑ "Kinsa takes $9.6M for FDA-approved smartphone thermometer". Venture Beat.
  6. ↑ Gaurav, Krishnamurthy. "Kinsa Health Gains FDA Approval for Smartphone Connected Thermometer". www.medgadget.com. medGadget. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  7. ↑ "Fever pitch: A thermometer that's really smart". Edward C. Baig, USA TODAY, March 3, 2015
  8. ↑ "Kinsa’s New Smart Ear Thermometer Will Tell You What To Do When You’re Sick". Techcrunch. Sep 1, 2015 by Jordan Crook
  9. ↑ "Kinsa Smart Thermometer & Health Tracker app review: monitor your family’s temperature and symptoms". App Picker, 8 Apr 2015
  10. ↑ "This High Tech Elmo Thermometer Will Make Your Sniffling Kid Smile". Elizabeth Segran, "Fast Company", July 20, 2016
  11. ↑ Winn, Zach (February 23, 2021). "Taking the pandemic's temperature". MIT Technology Review. ISSN 0040-1692. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
  12. ↑ "Review: Kinsa Smart Thermometer". App Advice.
  13. ↑ "Kinsa smart thermometer records your temp, symptoms on its phone app". By Joe Amarante, New Haven Register 12/03/2015,
  14. ↑ "Kinsa Smart Thermometer does more than just take your temperature". GizMag, Ben Coxworth, April 30, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Local school testing high-tech thermometer". WCVB Boston, Feb 29, 2016
  16. ↑ "Health instrument, app support STRIDE Academy". SC Times, Mitch LeClair, February 16, 2016
  17. ↑ Pogoreic, Deanna. "Smart thermometer is the favorite at Cleveland Clinic & StartUp Health's venture challenge". www.medcitynews.com. Med City News. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  18. ↑ Grant, Rebecca. "'Demo God' awarded to 5 startups pushing boundaries of mobile technology". www.venturebeat.com. Venture Beat. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  19. ↑ "Kinsa Smart Thermometer Takes Grand Prize in Innovate Health Tech". The NY Times. 2013-07-23. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
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