Consumer electronics retail giant Best Buy has a new bud of sorts. The retailer’s venture capital arm, Best Buy Capital, led a $5.5 million series of B round of venture financing in Raleigh-based Valancell, the developer of mobile health and fitness earbud technology.
Valencell has created new technology to track physiological metrics such as heart rate, calories burned, steps taken, distance traveled and speed. The data can be tracked in real time while the user listens to music or talks on the phone. Data can be streamed to smart phones or mp3 players through wired or wireless links, which would allow the user to use that personal information with training, coaching or fitness applications on mobile devices and online.
“People everywhere are listening to music while running and exercising,” CEO and co-founder Steven LeBoeuf said in a prepared statement. “Integrating heart rate sensors directly and seamlessly into music earbuds fits right into the behavior of consumers today.”
It was just late last year that Best Buy entered the fitness arena, and this could be further proof that the company is serious about sport and workout equipment being part of the offerings at its big box stores.