The $2B Sleep Idea Revived: The Waterbed’s Nephew Bets Gel Tech Can Solve America’s Insomnia Crisis
Geli, founded by Dr. Tara and Todd Youngblood, is revolutionizing sleep with a patented gel technology, targeting the root cause of insomnia, poor mattress design.
By
Feb 28, 2026
NATIONWIDE - FEBRUARY 2026 - (USAnews.com) In a world where sleepless nights are an epidemic, the search for answers often leads us to the latest sleep-tracking wearables or high-tech mattresses. However, a pioneering sleep science company, Geli, is flipping the script. By addressing the foundation of sleep, your mattress, Geli is offering a solution that doesn’t just monitor sleep, but optimizes the surface where sleep actually happens.
At the heart of Geli’s breakthrough is its patented gel technology, designed to address the critical yet overlooked factors in restorative sleep: temperature regulation and pressure relief. Founded by Dr. Tara Youngblood, a physicist, and Todd Youngblood, a serial entrepreneur with deep ties to the legacy of the waterbed, Geli seeks to redefine what a mattress can and should be. With over 50 patents under their belts, including innovations that have already reshaped the sleep technology landscape, the Youngbloods are on a mission to solve the root cause of insomnia, bad sleep surfaces.
A Legacy of Innovation
The journey toward Geli began long before its founding. The Youngbloods had already made waves in the sleep technology industry with their previous venture, Sleepme, which was the creator of ChiliPad, a groundbreaking hydro-powered mattress topper for temperature regulation. After growing Sleepme into a global brand with over 500,000 customers, the duo exited the company and set their sights on an even more ambitious project. Their mission? To tackle the problems inherent in the modern mattress industry, which they saw as fundamentally flawed.
“Memory foam was designed by NASA for crash protection, not for sleeping,” Dr. Tara Youngblood says. “And while it’s been marketed as a solution for comfort, in reality, it’s actively working against our bodies. It traps heat and creates pressure points, preventing the body from cooling down, which is a vital process for sleep.”
The Youngbloods’ new company, Geli, is determined to correct that mistake. By developing a mattress that supports natural thermoregulation and eliminates pressure points, Geli’s technology promises to change how people sleep, offering an entirely new foundation for restorative rest.
The Science Behind Geli’s Innovation
At the core of Geli’s technology is a system of gel-filled tubes, called Geli Beads, that replace traditional memory foam or springs. These beads are water-activated and contain over 1,000 times more gel than the gel-infused foams found in many mattresses on the market today. The result is a dynamic, fluid-like support system that contours to the body while providing superior pressure relief.
In independent tests, Geli mattresses were shown to deliver 49% more pressure relief than leading competitors. The pressure on a Geli surface averages just 28.2 mmHg, far below the medical threshold for pressure-induced tissue damage. This groundbreaking technology eliminates the pressure points that cause tossing and turning, allowing users to experience deep, uninterrupted rest.
The gel technology also excels at thermoregulation. Unlike memory foam, which traps heat, Geli’s passive cooling system absorbs and dissipates body heat naturally, allowing the body to cool as it would in a naturally ventilated environment, no electronics or app required.
A New Sleep Paradigm: Foundation First
While most of the industry focuses on adding sensors and gadgets to mattresses, Geli has a different philosophy. “Before you can track or optimize sleep, you have to first provide the body with a surface that allows it to perform its natural functions,” explains Dr. Youngblood. “Our ‘Foundation First’ approach addresses the root cause of sleep problems, not just the symptoms.”
This philosophy is a stark contrast to the growing trend of “smart beds,” which prioritize tracking data over optimizing the actual sleep surface. While these devices can measure sleep patterns, they fail to address the underlying issue of poor mattress design. Geli’s mattresses, in contrast, offer a scientifically engineered surface that doesn’t need tracking to prove its effectiveness, the proof is in how well you sleep.
The Waterbed’s Legacy and the Geli Difference
Interestingly, Geli’s innovation harkens back to a time when the mattress industry seemed to be on the right track: the waterbed. In the 1980s, the waterbed industry represented one of the largest segments of the mattress market. It was the first mattress designed to be fluid and temperature-regulating, features that are now seen as essential for restorative sleep. However, over time, the industry moved away from these principles, opting for cheaper, less effective materials like memory foam.
Todd Youngblood, who is the nephew of Charles Hall, the inventor of the waterbed, is returning to the foundational principles of the waterbed with Geli. “My uncle, Charlie Hall, was a visionary. He knew that sleeping on a fluid, cooling surface was the key,” Todd says. “The mattress industry lost its way when it chose foam over good science. Geli is the fulfillment of that original promise, using modern materials to bring the benefits of the waterbed without the drawbacks.”
Building the Future of Sleep
With a mission to improve health through better sleep, Geli has launched its flagship mattress, the Geli Sova, and an ultra-premium version, the Geli Essentia. These mattresses integrate Geli’s gel technology to offer superior pressure relief and cooling. In addition, Geli has expanded its product ecosystem to include the Geli Pillow, an adjustable pillow designed to complement the revolutionary mattress systems.
As the Youngbloods continue to lead the charge for better sleep, they remain committed to scientific integrity and product excellence. With over 50 patents, their legacy in sleep technology is undeniable, and Geli is poised to redefine the mattress industry for good.
Take the First Step Toward Better Sleep
Don’t settle for restless nights. Experience the revolutionary technology behind Geli’s mattresses and discover how a scientifically optimized sleep surface can change the way you rest. Visit GeliSleep.com to explore the future of sleep and join the sleep revolution today!
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