Daniel Perez didn’t set out to build a multibillion-dollar company. He was just a guy who couldn't walk.
Back in the day, a nasty bike accident left him with a shattered leg and arm. He spent nearly two months in a wheelchair. While his twin brother was out playing basketball, Dan was staring into a mirror, wondering if his body would ever work the same way again.
That frustration is exactly where Daniel Perez Hinge Health started. It wasn't born in a boardroom; it was born in a rehab clinic where the care felt slow, disjointed, and honestly, a bit broken.
The PhD Dropout Who Built a Giant
Most tech founders have resumes filled with "VP of Sales" or "Ex-Googler." Dan is different. He was a PhD student at Oxford studying biochemistry. His co-founder, Gabriel Mecklenburg, was doing his own PhD at Cambridge in regenerative medicine. They were scientists first.
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They met in London and bonded over their shared "beaten up" status—Dan by a car, Gabe by a judo match.
Eventually, they realized they were better at starting businesses than finishing dissertations. They dropped out. They moved to the US because it was easier to get a meeting with an American healthcare executive from a London basement than it was to get a meeting with anyone in the UK.
By May 2025, they’d taken the company public on the NYSE under the ticker HNGE. Not bad for two guys who started by sewing wearable sensors together in a Tupperware box.
Why Daniel Perez Hinge Health Actually Works
If you've ever done physical therapy, you know the drill. You go to a clinic, a therapist shows you three moves, and then you're supposed to do them at home.
You don't do them.
Or you do them wrong.
Dan’s "aha" moment was realizing that the problem with musculoskeletal (MSK) care wasn't the science—it was the delivery. People need constant feedback, not a PDF of exercises they’ll lose under the couch.
The Tech Behind the Motion
The company uses AI-powered computer vision and wearable sensors. Basically, your phone camera tracks your movement—watching 87 different "landmarks" on your body—to tell you if you're squatting deep enough or if your alignment is off.
It’s about automation. Dan often says that in most industries, technology makes things cheaper and better, but in healthcare, it’s usually an excuse to hike prices. He wanted to flip that script.
- Enso Technology: They acquired a company that makes a high-frequency impulse device. It basically "melts" pain away without opioids.
- The Human Element: Even with all the AI, every member gets a physical therapist and a health coach.
- Scale: They’ve treated over 1.5 million people. That is a massive amount of data on how human bodies move and heal.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Company
People think Hinge Health is just a "fitness app" for employees. It’s not.
Honestly, it’s more like a digital hospital for your joints. They aren't just looking at your back; they’re looking at your depression and anxiety too. Why? Because chronic pain and mental health are roommates. If your back hurts for six months, you’re probably going to feel pretty low. Dan pushed for a "whole-person" approach because clinical data showed that treating the mind actually sped up the healing of the body.
The Business Reality in 2026
As of early 2026, the company is sitting on a mountain of cash—nearly $500 million.
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They recently authorized a $250 million share repurchase program. In "CEO speak," that means Dan and the board think their stock is a bargain and they’re confident in their future.
They’re also expanding into things like:
- Women’s Pelvic Health: A massive, underserved market.
- Fall Prevention: Specifically for older adults on Medicare.
- In-person Care: They recently launched a provider network to blend digital and physical visits.
Is Dan Still the One Running the Show?
Yes. Despite the IPO and the massive growth, Daniel Perez remains the CEO. He’s still the high-energy visionary, while Gabe Mecklenburg handles the operational side as Executive Chairman.
They’ve recently introduced a new AI assistant named Robin. It’s designed to answer member questions instantly, further pushing that "automation" goal Dan is obsessed with.
He recently told an audience at the NYSE that he believes most healthcare will eventually be software connected to hardware. It sounds like sci-fi, but when you look at their 77% gross margins, it’s clear the business model is very real.
Actionable Insights for Your Health Journey
If you're dealing with chronic pain and want to see if this approach works for you, here is how to actually move forward:
- Check Your Benefits: Most people get Hinge Health for free through their employer or health plan. Check your company's benefits portal before paying for a private PT.
- Ask About Enso: If you’re trying to avoid surgery or pills, specifically ask if the Enso device is included in your care plan.
- Focus on Adherence: The AI only works if you use it. The biggest predictor of success in Dan's program isn't how "bad" your injury is—it's whether you actually do the 15-minute sessions three times a week.
- Look Beyond the Joint: If you're using the platform, take advantage of the health coaches for the mental side of pain. It’s often the missing piece of the puzzle.
Daniel Perez didn't just build a company; he built the tool he wished he had when he was stuck in that wheelchair. That personal connection is likely why, ten years later, he’s still the one leading the charge.