# Oura hires first CIO and SVP of AI ahead of IPO > Source: > Published: 2026-08-20 13:21:03+00:00 Via gizmodo.com # Oura hires first CIO and SVP of AI ahead of IPO The smart ring maker is stacking its C-suite with tech leadership as it prepares for a public listing later this year. Oura, the Finnish-born smart ring company, has brought on its first-ever Chief Information Officer and a new Senior Vice President of AI, two hires that signal how seriously Oura is treating its technology infrastructure ahead of a highly anticipated public offering. Oura confidentially filed its draft IPO registration documents with the SEC on or about May 21, 2026, setting the stage for what could be one of the bigger health-tech listings of the year. ## Building the machine before going public The company closed a Series E funding round of roughly $900 million in late 2025, pushing its private valuation to $11 billion. Founded in Oulu, Finland, in 2013, Oura has now exceeded $1.5 billion in total fundraising, and the company anticipates annual revenue growth exceeding $1 billion in the near future. Michael DeLalio was brought on as vice president of investor relations in August 2026, another indicator that the IPO machinery is running at full speed. Oura has shipped more than 5 million rings to date, with multi-million-unit sales documented in recent periods. The installed base gives the company a recurring revenue stream from its subscription model layered on top of hardware sales. ## AI as the growth engine In February 2026, Oura launched a proprietary large language model specifically tailored for women’s health. The company also acquired Galen AI earlier this year, integrating the startup’s capabilities to improve medical records management. On the consumer side, Oura has rolled out its Advisor AI chatbot and expanded biometric analytics features. ## The competitive landscape is heating up Samsung launched its Galaxy Ring in 2024, and Apple has been rumored to be exploring ring-form-factor wearables. Oura’s partnerships across healthcare and enterprise settings add another layer of differentiation. The public listing is expected toward the end of 2026. **Disclosure:** This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our [Editorial Policy](https://cryptobriefing.com/editorial-policy/).