dacadoo began with a simple question fifteen years ago
How can we measure the positive impact of health on our lives?
What started as a small team with an ambitious idea has evolved into a global company that helps millions of people live healthier, more active lives — and helps insurers, healthcare providers, and organizations build stronger connections with their customers.
As we mark this milestone, we’re taking a moment to reflect on our journey, celebrate the people who made it possible, and look ahead to the exciting years to come.
“A huge thank you to every single employee, every single client, every single partner, investor, doctor, insurance company, and healthcare provider who has made this happen… The bad news is we count on you for the next 15 years.”
— Peter Ohnemus, Founder & CEO
Watch the conversation: 15 Years of dacadoo
Peter Ohnemus and Manuel Heuer reflect on the company’s beginnings, pivotal moments, and the future of digital health.
Watch the video here
From an Idea to a Movement
The story of dacadoo began on a snowy mountain. Founder and CEO Peter Ohnemus was hiking uphill on skis when he started thinking about how to measure the positive impact of exercise on his health. That moment of curiosity led to the creation of dacadoo. A “North Star of your health” that could help people understand and improve their wellbeing in real time.
When the company launched, digital health was still in its infancy. “We were just a few people,” recalls COO Manuel Heuer. “Everything was a white paper. We created everything from scratch. It was exciting, creative, and full of unknowns.”
The team took bold risks early on. They built a complete Digital Health Engagement Platform (DHEP) before having their first client. A leap of faith that paid off when a major UK healthcare operator became dacadoo’s first customer.
Defining Moments and Growth
Every company has milestones, but a few stand out as turning points.
One of the earliest came when Apple endorsed dacadoo, recognizing the company’s pioneering approach to digital health. It was a powerful validation for a young startup.
In the years that followed, dacadoo’s reach expanded across industries. Partnerships with global insurers, retailers, and banks demonstrated how digital health engagement could transform customer relationships and business outcomes. “The game changer,” says Peter, “was when big healthcare operators, retailers, and banks started coming in. They had clear goals, clear KPIs, and a real vision for impact.”
Resilience Through Crisis
Like every startup, dacadoo’s journey was not without challenges.
There were moments when the future hung in the balance — including one when a major deal fell through with only a week of cash remaining. “That was a few sleepless nights,” Peter recalls. “We looked each other in the eyes and decided we’d find a way.”
What carried the team through was a culture of transparency, humor, and openness. “At dacadoo, you can make fun of yourself and still be heard,” says Peter. “We listen, we learn, and we deliver.”
Manuel adds, “Even in tough moments, we were always transparent — saying, here’s what’s happening, and we don’t have all the answers yet. That honesty kept the team strong.”
The Next 15 Years: Predict, Prevent, and Empower
Both Peter and Manuel agree that dacadoo’s story is still in its early chapters.
“I think we’re really just getting started,” says Manuel. “Only about three percent of healthcare data is being used today. There’s so much potential ahead — from supporting people after obesity treatments to engaging patients with chronic diseases, to helping people live healthier for longer.”
Peter shares that same optimism for the future. “This next phase is about predicting and preventing disease. We’re moving toward a world where digital health twins and outcome-based models will redefine healthcare. In 15 years, people will ask, Why did they die of cancer? That’s the scale of change coming.”
For dacadoo, the goal is not just longevity. It’s quality of life.
“Healthy aging and quality of life are what matter most,” Peter continues. “If you live 20 years longer but spend them in a wheelchair, that’s not success. The longer we can help people stay independent, the better.”
A Journey Shared
From the first prototype built on a shoestring budget to collaborations with some of the world’s largest insurers and health organizations, dacadoo’s success has always been a collective effort. It’s shaped by the curiosity, creativity, and courage of its people.
As dacadoo celebrates 15 years, it also celebrates the partners, clients, and teams who believed in its mission: to make the world a healthier, more connected place.
And as Peter says with a smile —
“We count on you for the next 15 years.”
