Business Review of DayTwo Startup

Introduction and Founding History

DayTwo was founded in 2015 as a US-Israeli startup, with its research roots deeply connected to Israel’s Weizmann Institute of Science. The company was co-founded by prominent scientists including Eran Segal and Eran Elinav, who conducted groundbreaking research on the gut microbiome and metabolic health. The business operations and headquarters were primarily based in the United States, while much of the scientific research and development happened in Israel.

Initial Services and Products

DayTwo started as a B2C (business-to-consumer) service offering the following:

• Gut Microbiome Testing Kit: Customers received a stool sample collection kit to collect samples conveniently at home and send them back.
  
  
• Mobile Application: Microbiome DNA data was analyzed using advanced technology and integrated into the app to provide personalized health insights.
  
  
• Personalized Nutrition Program: Using microbiome data and machine learning algorithms, the app generated customized dietary recommendations aimed at improving blood sugar control and metabolic health.
  
  

B2C Process

Users began with a brief 5-minute questionnaire about their personal data and lifestyle. After sending the microbiome test kit, their gut microbiome DNA was analyzed and combined with the questionnaire data. The app then provided a precise, personalized nutrition plan to improve their health.

DNA Technology and Difference with RNA Technology

DayTwo used DNA-based microbiome analysis, similar to companies like ZOE, by sequencing the DNA of gut bacteria to identify microbial species present.

However, a newer technology analyzes the RNA of the microbiome, as companies like Viome do. The key difference is:

• DNA microbiome analysis identifies which bacterial species are present (who is there).
  
  
• RNA microbiome analysis shows which genes are active (what the bacteria are doing).
  
  

RNA analysis provides more dynamic and functional insights into the microbiome, allowing for more precise and actionable health recommendations.

Expansion into B2B Market and Geographic Reach

Around 2018, DayTwo expanded into the B2B (business-to-business) market, focusing on collaboration with major health insurers, corporations, and medical centers primarily in the United States and Europe. Their B2B services included:

• Providing group testing kits and nutrition programs for employees.
  
  
• Management dashboards for employers to monitor overall employee health.
  
  
• Educational programs to raise awareness of personalized nutrition.
  
  
• Partnerships with clinics to assist doctors in microbiome-based treatments.
  
  

In Israel, DayTwo maintained strong ties to the scientific community, continuing research partnerships and limited pilot programs, but their commercial B2B focus was mainly in the US and European markets.

Official Shutdown and Current Status

In August 2024, DayTwo officially announced it was ceasing operations and no longer offering new services. Currently:

• The company website remains online but appears to offer limited support only to existing customers.
  
  
• No new product development or customer acquisition is taking place.
  
  
• Business operations seem to have stopped completely.
  
  

Possible Reasons for Shutdown

While no detailed official explanation is available, likely reasons include:

• High costs of DNA microbiome testing and data processing, limiting scalability.
  
  
• Competition from companies using newer RNA technology and continuous glucose monitoring data (CGM), such as Viome and ZOE, which offer more advanced and comprehensive products.
  
  
• Limited market adoption and acceptance among consumers and organizations for such expensive, innovative services.
  
  
• Challenges in securing ongoing funding and shifting business strategies reducing focus on microbiome-based nutrition.
  
  

Conclusion

DayTwo was a pioneering US-Israeli startup in personalized nutrition based on gut microbiome DNA analysis, offering innovative testing kits and smart apps to help users manage metabolic health. Although it successfully entered both B2C and B2B markets, mainly in the US and Europe, it ceased operations in August 2024 due to financial, technological, and competitive challenges. The microbiome and personalized nutrition industry continues to grow, with companies like Viome and ZOE leading the way using newer technologies.