Wello, the startup that connects people with personal trainers to receive private fitness consultations through online video chat, is in talks to be acquired by Weight Watchers, sources tell TechCrunch.
We’ve contacted Wello for details on the deal, but at the moment, the company has declined to comment. This post will be updated with any additional information, such as financial terms, we receive.
Wello, which launched in mid-2012, has raised some $1 million in seed funding from a range of well-known investors including Rock Health, Kleiner Perkins, Mohr Davidow, Aberdare Ventures, Mayo Ventures, Morado Ventures, S-Cubed Capital, PhilQuo Ventures, and other angels.
Since its launch two years ago, Wello has extended its product lineup from one-on-one video chat to include group training sessions and gym-like monthly membership subscriptions.
Wello has said its core aim is to “democratize” access to personal fitness training, which has historically been a relatively high-end and rarefied service. This mission fits well with Weight Watchers, which has become a household name for making weight loss and nutrition consultation accessible to the masses. Weight Watchers has been moving in recent years to expand its reach into the wider health/fitness “lifestyle” market, so Wello could be a nice bolt-on product to add to its offerings.