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Eight Sleep, the world’s first sleep fitness company, is making a significant move into the UAE, bringing its revolutionary ‘Pod’ technology to the region’s fast-growing health and wellness market.
As the company’s first foray into the Middle East, this expansion marks a pivotal milestone in Eight Sleep’s global mission to enhance health and performance through smarter sleep solutions, offering UAE residents the opportunity to improve both their quality of rest and overall wellbeing.
Addressing the sleep crisis
Recent studies indicate that 40 per cent of UAE residents are not getting enough sleep, with many also struggling with poor sleep quality. A staggering 32 per cent report irregular sleep schedules, while stress and temperature disturbances — cited by 48 per cent and 36 per cent of respondents respectively — remain major factors impacting rest. These statistics underscore the growing need for improved sleep solutions in a region that is already prioritising health and wellness in its broader growth agenda.
Matteo Franceschetti, co-founder and CEO of Eight Sleep, comments, “The UAE is making big strides in health and wellness, with Dubai becoming a central player in that growth. People here are becoming more focused on their health and are seeking better sleep solutions to improve their daily performance. We’re excited to bring our technology to a market that’s ready for change, allowing us to meet the needs of health-conscious consumers and be part of the wellness shift happening in the UAE.”
Revolutionising rest with the pod
Eight Sleep’s Pod technology offers a smart mattress cover that uses advanced AI and health-grade sensors to automatically adjust the sleep environment. This includes temperature regulation through cooling and heating features, as well as elevation adjustments for optimal sleep positions. More importantly, the Pod tracks crucial sleep metrics such as heart rate variability, respiratory rate, and sleep stages — without the need for wearables.
Renowned Dubai-based expert in biohacking and longevity, Dr Elie Abirached, shares his enthusiasm for the technology: “Eight Sleep is a game-changer for rest and recovery. With the ability to personalise your sleep environment, it adapts to your needs in real-time, helping you refine your quality of rest to stay in deep sleep for longer. It’s like having a personal sleep coach.”
Read: Why sleep is a key ingredient to a productive work life
Introducing the Pod 4 Ultra
The latest model, the Pod 4 Ultra, is Eight Sleep’s most advanced product yet. The Pod 4 Ultra includes enhanced biometric tracking, improved cooling power (twice the capacity of previous models), and the ability to reach temperatures as low as 13°C — ideal for combating the UAE’s sweltering summer heat.
Additional features such as snoring detection, adjustable sleep positions, and responsive tap-to-control sensors are also part of the offering.
Clinically proven to increase total sleep time, improve deep sleep, and reduce snoring, the Pod 4 Ultra assures a high-performance sleep solution tailored for health-conscious individuals in the UAE.
Franceschetti adds, “Our Pod’s cooling technology is especially beneficial for regions like the UAE, where the summer heat can be intense. The Pod helps hundreds of thousands of people sleep better across the world, and the overwhelmingly positive response from users in warmer climates like Australia and southern Europe gives us confidence that the Pod’s cooling features will be a perfect fit for the UAE, all year round.”
Eight Sleep eyes expansion in the region
Eight Sleep’s celebrity investors — including Alex Rodriguez, Kevin Hart, and Sophia Amoruso — along with major venture capital backing from firms such as Valor Equity Partners, SoftBank, Khosla Ventures, and Founders Fund, solidify the company’s financial strength as it looks to expand further in the GCC.
With plans to launch in Saudi Arabia and other key markets in the region throughout 2025, Eight Sleep aims to increase its presence in the Middle East and continue driving innovation in the wellness space.
The company is also pursuing strategic B2B partnerships with leading health and wellness brands, as well as affiliate collaborations, to enhance its regional footprint.
