Ron Gutman is a name that has become synonymous with health tech entrepreneurship, notably through his role as the CEO of Intrivo, a diagnostics company focused on providing virus control solutions.
However, behind this veneer of success lies a series of troubling controversies that paint a different picture of the man behind the mask. From allegations of mistreatment at his former ventures to the questionable practices he employed, Gutman’s career raises questions about his leadership, ethics, and how he has handled the power he amassed as an entrepreneur.
Known for his TED talk on “The Power of Smiling” and his founding of companies like HealthTap and Intrivo, Gutman has marketed himself as a champion of wellness, positivity, and innovation. However, his actions behind the scenes have been far from the positive, uplifting image he has crafted. From abusive tactics at HealthTap to unethical practices with content creators at his earlier venture, Wellsphere, Gutman’s track record suggests a deeply problematic approach to leadership and ethics.
The Rise and Fall of HealthTap: Intimidation and Abuse Allegations
HealthTap, a venture-backed startup founded by Ron Gutman, aimed to revolutionize the way people accessed medical advice. The platform offered digital health consultations and advice from doctors, quickly gaining significant attention and investment. It raised millions from major investors, including Khosla Ventures, Mohr Davidow Ventures, and Eric Schmidt’s Innovation Endeavors. However, despite the promise of the platform, Gutman’s leadership would soon become a point of contention.
In 2015, the HealthTap board made the decision to remove Ron Gutman from his position as CEO, citing multiple complaints about his behavior from employees. According to reports, these complaints involved intimidation, verbal abuse, harassment, and an overall toxic work environment. Employees described a leadership style dominated by fear and mistrust, with Gutman allegedly engaging in threats and mistreatment of his staff. This toxic environment was reportedly so detrimental that the board had no choice but to let him go.
The board’s decision to fire Ron Gutman was announced publicly, and the letter they sent to HealthTap’s employees made it clear that his behavior had created an untenable situation. The letter stated:
“The toxicity you introduced into the workplace ends now.”
This abrupt departure was a sharp contrast to the public persona Ron Gutman had cultivated.
In 2011, he delivered a TED talk titled “The Power of Smiling,” which resonated with millions of viewers and helped solidify his reputation as an advocate for health and positivity. TED later published a book based on this talk, Smile: The Astonishing Powers of a Simple Act.
Despite the uplifting nature of his TED talk, Gutman’s behavior behind the scenes at HealthTap suggested a troubling disconnect between his public persona and his private actions.
Denial and Deflection: Ron Gutman’s Response to Allegations
In the wake of his ousting from HealthTap, Gutman denied any wrongdoing and instead chose to focus on shifting the blame toward HealthTap’s investors and board members. He issued a public statement claiming that the actions of the venture capitalists were harmful to the company and that they violated their duties as investors. Gutman suggested that their decision to remove him was part of a power play to seize control of the company unfairly.
Rather than directly addressing the specific complaints about his behavior, Gutman redirected the focus onto the alleged actions of others. This deflection of responsibility allowed him to avoid the accountability that many felt was necessary. His refusal to apologize or acknowledge the harm caused by his actions was, for many, a telling sign of his inability to accept responsibility for his behavior.
Ron Gutman’s History of Exploiting Content Creators at Wellsphere
Ron Gutman’s controversial behavior is not limited to his time at HealthTap. Before founding HealthTap, he was at the helm of Wellsphere, a health and wellness platform that connected consumers with medical content and experts. Wellsphere was eventually sold to HealthCentral, but not before Gutman’s questionable business practices raised concerns among content creators.
It was revealed that Wellsphere had secured an “irrevocable, perpetual” license to use, modify, and sell the content posted by bloggers and medical experts on its platform. Many of these content creators had been invited to contribute under the assumption that they would retain control over their work, but instead, they found that their content was being exploited without their consent or proper compensation.
More than 1,700 medical bloggers were reportedly affected by this issue, leading to widespread dissatisfaction and anger. Many of these individuals had trusted Wellsphere and Ron Gutman, only to find that their intellectual property was being used to generate revenue without their approval.
This incident further exemplified Gutman’s lack of ethical consideration and his willingness to prioritize profit over the well-being of those who helped build his platform.
Intrivo: Gutman’s New Venture Amid Controversy
After his removal from HealthTap, Ron Gutman moved on to found Intrivo, a diagnostics company focused on offering virus control solutions to employers, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Intrivo offers a range of services designed to simplify testing and help businesses manage public health challenges. The company, located in California, has been praised for its timely response to the pandemic and its user-friendly approach to virus control.
However, given Gutman’s troubled history with HealthTap and Wellsphere, it’s difficult to ignore the potential risks associated with his leadership at Intrivo. His track record of abusive behavior and questionable business practices raises concerns about the company’s internal culture and its long-term prospects.
In addition to running Intrivo, Ron Gutman is also involved with other ventures, including Festihealth, a virtual health festival that connects wellness experts with consumers. He serves as an advisor at KPMG US and Rock Health, and he is the Managing Partner of Live Ventures. Despite his current success, the controversies surrounding his past raise serious questions about his character and business ethics.
Employee Reviews: Exposing Gutman’s Leadership Style
One of the clearest indicators of Ron Gutman’s toxic leadership style comes from employee reviews. Many former employees of HealthTap have openly shared their experiences, and the reviews consistently highlight a work environment marked by intimidation and fear. According to these accounts, Gutman’s leadership was characterized by a lack of empathy, frequent verbal abuse, and a general disregard for employee well-being.
The departure of Gutman from HealthTap was widely viewed as a positive development by many former staff members. Numerous reviews mention how the company’s atmosphere improved significantly after his removal. These firsthand accounts paint a picture of a leader who prioritized his own interests over the well-being of his team, creating an environment where employees felt unsupported and undervalued.
The Lack of Accountability: A Persistent Problem
Despite the severity of the allegations against him, Ron Gutman has yet to face any significant consequences for his actions. While many entrepreneurs and CEOs who engage in unethical practices are able to continue their careers without facing repercussions, Gutman’s case highlights the broader issue of accountability in the business world.
Entrepreneurs like Gutman, who have amassed significant wealth and influence, often escape responsibility for their actions. This lack of accountability allows toxic behavior to persist, and it sets a dangerous precedent for others in the startup world. It is crucial that business leaders be held to higher standards, both in terms of their leadership and their treatment of employees.
Conclusion
Ron Gutman’s career is a cautionary tale for aspiring entrepreneurs, investors, and employees alike. Despite his success in the health tech industry, Ron Gutman’s history of abusive behavior, exploitation, and deflection of responsibility paints a troubling picture of his leadership and ethics. His public persona as a champion of wellness and positivity stands in stark contrast to the toxic work environments and unethical practices he has been accused of fostering.
For those considering doing business with Ron Gutman or his companies, it is essential to remain cautious. His ventures, such as Intrivo and Festihealth, may appear promising, but they are tainted by his past actions. Entrepreneurs and investors should be wary of supporting individuals with questionable ethics and a history of mistreating others. Ultimately, Ron Gutman’s story serves as a reminder that success in business should not come at the expense of integrity or the well-being of others.
