Deepinder Goyal Ventures into Health Tech with New Wearable Device

Deepinder Goyal, the former CEO of Zomato, is venturing into the health tech industry with the introduction of a new wearable device named Temple. Set to launch within the next six months, Temple is designed to measure the body's metabolic state in real time. Goyal announced that the device, which is worn on the side of the forehead, will be marketed as a wellness tool supported by peer-reviewed studies.

From Food Delivery to Health Innovation

Goyal, who stepped down from his role at Zomato, now rebranded as Eternal Ltd., in February, is charting a new course in health technology. Temple is the first product from his new venture since his departure. The device emerged from a personal project aimed at understanding cerebral blood flow, which led to the discovery of a new biomarker termed "entropy." This marker correlates with metabolic rate, providing insights into stress, meditation, recovery, sleep, and exercise. However, the scientific community has yet to validate these findings independently.

Targeting a Niche Market

Priced around $1,000, Temple is primarily targeted at high-performing individuals such as athletes and executives. Goyal emphasized that the device is not intended for mass-market consumers, stating, "I’m not building Temple for everybody. Actually, I’m building it only for myself." This approach differentiates Temple from existing wearables that use heart rate as a proxy for metabolic activity. According to Goyal, Temple directly measures metabolic rate, offering a more accurate assessment.

Expanding Horizons in Aerospace

In addition to his health tech venture, Goyal is investing in LAT Aerospace, a project aimed at alleviating congestion in India's major cities through the development of low-cost, short takeoff and landing aircraft. With a personal investment of $20 million, Goyal envisions a network of eight-seater planes connecting smaller airstrips, facilitating direct travel between cities, towns, and villages without the need for major airports. Despite the challenges of engineering, regulation, and infrastructure, Goyal sees potential for spreading economic activity beyond India's largest urban centers.

This new direction reflects Goyal's broader ambition for Eternal to continuously evolve beyond its origins in restaurant delivery. Founded initially as Foodiebay, the company rebranded to Zomato in 2010 and expanded into food deliveries, going public in 2021. In 2022, Zomato acquired online grocer Grofers, now known as Blinkit, which has become India's leading instant delivery service.