Polari Labs is a technology company.
Polari Labs has raised $540K across 1 funding round.
Polari Labs has raised $540K in total across 1 funding round.
Polari Labs has raised $540K in total across 1 funding round.
Polari Labs's investors include Chasing Rainbows.
Polari Labs (also referred to as Polari Group) is a bioengineering startup developing innovative products for anal health and pleasure, primarily a single-use, ball-shaped device inserted into the rectum to prevent faecal accidents during anal sex, serving as an alternative to time-consuming douching.[1][3][6] It targets a diverse demographic of 167.7 million people engaging in anal sex across the UK, US, and Europe—estimated at 2.8 billion acts yearly—solving preparation anxiety, stigma, and lack of spontaneity in an untapped $10.9 billion market.[1][3][4] The company operates the world's first anal sex lab in London, collaborating with doctors and scientists, with a planned UK launch in September 2025 after ISO compliance testing; it has raised over $500K to finalize design, scale manufacturing, and grow its team to 7-10.[1][3][4]
Polari Labs was founded in 2023 by Anna Vybornova, an EPFL and MIT-trained bioengineer who was the first employee at Aktiia (developing AI wearables for hypertension), and Dr. Henry Blest, an Oxford PhD chemist and immunologist specializing in virology and STIs like HIV and herpes.[1][4] The duo met at Entrepreneur First (EF), an accelerator whose portfolio includes Polari Labs, and combined their expertise in bioengineering, materials science, and sexual health to address overlooked anal preparation challenges.[1][2][4] Early traction includes proprietary innovations with patents underway, lab models testing faecal movement, talks at Oxford University and Google UK, and recent funding to advance regulatory pathways.[1][3][4]
Polari Labs rides the sextech wave, merging bioengineering with sexual wellness amid rising demand—e.g., 66% of gay men and 33% of US heterosexuals report recent anal sex—disrupting douching norms in a stigmatized $10.9B market.[1][3] Timing aligns with destigmatization efforts, post-pandemic openness to wellness tech, and investor interest (e.g., peers like Kindly and Hale), amplified by EF's ecosystem.[2][3][4] It influences by pioneering anal-specific R&D, fostering inclusive education, and partnering with health orgs, potentially normalizing innovations like its material science breakthrough.[1][4]
Polari Labs is poised to launch its core device in September 2025, using fresh funding for team growth, manufacturing, and user outreach, while building toward an anorectal health platform with expanded products.[3][4] Trends like AI/materials in medtech, sextech normalization, and wellness personalization will propel it, especially as stigma fades and markets grow. Its influence could evolve from niche disruptor to ecosystem leader, humanizing taboo topics through science—engineering not just balls, but backdoor peace of mind.[6]
Polari Labs has raised $540K across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $540K Seed in June 2024.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1, 2024 | $540K Seed | Chasing Rainbows |