Fast-growing calorie tracker Cal AI joins the MyFitnessPal ecosystem
An app built by two high school teenagers has been snapped up by MyFitnessPal after soaring to over 15 million downloads and $30 million in annual revenue in under two years.
In an interview with TechCrunch, MyFitnessPal CEO Mike Fisher said Cal AI came onto his radar when it started climbing the ranks in the App Store.
As the name suggests, the platform leverages artificial intelligence to help users track their calories by taking a snap of their food.
While critics have argued AI can’t accurately account for variables like cooking oils or portion sizes, the app’s 19-year-old co-founders, Zach Yadegari and Henry Langmack, say it’s a practical tool rather than a perfect one.
“When you’re at a restaurant, there’s no food scale – at least I hope you’re not bringing one – and there’s no barcode on the plate to scan either,” Yadegari told Forbes after achieving 30 Under 30 status.
“Taking the picture is your best option and the only way that you could still stay on track while you’re having a normal life.”
Despite the skepticism, Cal AI promises above 90% accuracy on average and boasts several other features. In fact, only 30% of the calories logged through the app come from the famed photo feature.
Most users track their food in the traditional way, by weighing portions or scanning barcodes.
That similarity made Cal AI somewhat of an up-and-coming rival for MyFitnessPal, and one it now owns.
While the exact value of the deal hasn’t been revealed, Fisher said Yadegari and Langmack were happy with the offer.
After talks lasting almost a year, Cal AI’s seven-person team, plus a small collection of contractors, has been retained.
It will stay an independent app in its own right, offering simplified calorie tracking for those without a scale or packaging to reference.
However, users might notice one notable upgrade. Since the sale closed in December, the app has been integrated with MyFitnessPal’s sizable nutrition database, spanning 20 million foods, 68,500 brands, and meals served at over 380 restaurant chains.
Under MyFitnessPal’s stewardship, and with Yadegari’s continued involvement and keen eye for viral marketing plays, Cal AI is projected to surpass $50 million in revenue in 2026.
There’s no mention of how long the teen plans to stay on with MyFitnessPal, although he’s already got his eye on the next goal: building a billion-dollar company.
SEE ALSO: Introducing the Brezza Supermix: A Smarter Way to Blend the Perfect Protein Shake
