Andrew Steele spent years training to become one of Britain’s fastest 400-metre runners. His performance depended on nutritionists, physiotherapists, fitness data and carefully planned routines. Now, the former Olympic athlete wants to bring a similar approach to everyday healthcare.
His UK-based healthtech startup, Stride, has raised £4.6 million in seed funding to expand its preventative healthcare platform and enter international markets, including the United States.
The investment, announced on October 14, 2026, will also support the development of AI-powered health tools and advanced diagnostic testing.
From Olympic Athletics to Entrepreneurship
Steele represented Great Britain in the 4×400-metre relay at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His team initially finished fourth but was awarded bronze in 2017 following the Russian team’s disqualification for doping violations.
By then, Steele had already entered the health technology industry.
He co-founded DNAfit, a genetic testing company focused on understanding how DNA influences fitness and nutrition. The business was acquired by Prenetics in 2018 for a reported $10 million.
His experience in professional athletics shaped his next venture.
During his sporting career, Steele had access to specialists who interpreted detailed health information and helped improve his performance. He wanted to make similar guidance available to people outside professional sport.
What Does Stride Offer?
Launched in May 2024, Stride provides personalised health monitoring through DNA, blood and gut health testing.
The platform operates through a membership model, allowing customers to track selected health indicators and receive guidance on nutrition, lifestyle and wellbeing.
Unlike traditional healthcare services that often focus on treating existing conditions, Stride aims to help customers understand potential health risks earlier.
Its services also include biological-age assessments based on blood biomarkers.
However, biological-age estimates vary depending on the testing method and should not be considered definitive measures of overall health.
£4.6 Million Funding to Support AI Development
Stride’s latest funding round attracted investors including Arāya Ventures, Better Ventures, Morgan Stanley Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures and Innovate UK.
Part of the investment will support two research projects.
The first involves developing a more comprehensive method of measuring biological age using multiple biological indicators.
The second focuses on an AI-powered health copilot designed to combine laboratory results, wearable-device information and medical records to provide personalised insights.
These tools remain under development, and their effectiveness in improving long-term health outcomes has yet to be established.
Steele believes preventative healthcare could eventually become as familiar to consumers as smartphones and fitness trackers.
Can Stride Make Preventative Healthcare Mainstream?
Stride plans to expand its Stride One membership internationally before the end of 2026.
The company reports an 85% customer retention rate during its first 13 months, suggesting early interest in its subscription model.
Still, convincing customers to pay regularly for health monitoring will be a challenge.
More testing does not necessarily mean better healthcare. Accuracy, data privacy, professional medical guidance and affordability will all matter as personalised health services become more common.
For Steele, the transition from Olympic athletics to healthtech entrepreneurship has come full circle.
His next challenge is proving that the data-driven approach used by elite athletes can deliver meaningful benefits for ordinary people.
