A Massachusetts-based health technology company is preparing to launch a device that could transform how people access metabolic testing, a scientific measurement that has traditionally required expensive lab equipment and trained professionals. PNOĒ, which operates out of Malden, Massachusetts, and Athens, Greece, will release its PNOĒ 2.0 on October 1, marking a significant shift toward self-administered health assessments in gyms, wellness centers, and potentially pharmacies across the country.
The device resembles a face mask that covers the nose and mouth, strapping around the back of the head. Despite its somewhat intimidating appearance, its function is straightforward: it measures oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide exhalation during an eight-minute breathing test. This seemingly simple process captures 23 biomarkers that provide insights into how the body produces and uses energy, including the increasingly popular VO₂ max measurement, a key indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness that has gained attention in longevity and wellness circles.
What sets the new version apart from PNOĒ’s current offering is its self-service capability. While the existing device requires a trained operator to administer the test, the PNOĒ 2.0 allows users to walk into a facility, put on the mask, press a button, and complete the test on their own. This automation could dramatically expand where metabolic testing is available, moving it beyond specialized sports labs and hospital settings where such equipment has traditionally resided.
The company was co-founded by Apostolos Atsalakis and Panos Papadiamantis, with Atsalakis having completed his PhD in sensing technologies at the University of Cambridge. The startup participated in Y Combinator’s Winter 2019 batch and has since raised approximately 22 million dollars in total funding, including a recent 11 million dollar round. Investors include 50 Years and Lars Rasmussen, co-founder of Google Maps.
PNOĒ operates on a business-to-business model, selling exclusively to organizations rather than directly to consumers. The company has built an impressive client roster that includes Equinox fitness clubs, Four Seasons hotels, Red Bull, the NBA, Mount Sinai Health System, and Restore Hyper Wellness. Business subscriptions range from 400 dollars to over 1,000 dollars per month, providing clients with hardware, software, training, and marketing materials in what the company describes as a complete package.
The United States accounts for about 85 percent of PNOĒ’s business, though the company is now expanding into Europe, Latin America, and Asia. With 110 employees, the company recently achieved profitability while maintaining over 100 percent year-over-year growth. Management plans to raise a Series B funding round within the next six to 12 months to support continued expansion.
The new device addresses practical concerns that have emerged in the post-pandemic era, particularly around hygiene. The electronics detach from the silicone mask and straps, allowing multiple users to share the expensive hardware while each person maintains their own personal mask. This design, developed in collaboration with Milan-based Design Group Italia, also makes the device more compact and reliable than its predecessor.
Despite its clinical applications, PNOĒ carefully positions itself as a wellness device rather than a medical one. The device is not cleared by the FDA, and the company does not provide medical recommendations. However, the technology builds on metabolic testing methods that have existed for more than a century, offering what the company claims is lab-grade accuracy in a portable format paired with software that translates results into actionable recommendations about nutrition and training.
The company’s timing aligns with growing consumer interest in health metrics and longevity, as VO₂ max has become increasingly recognized as a strong predictor of overall health outcomes. As PNOĒ continues to grow and plans its next funding round, it aims to make sophisticated metabolic testing as accessible as stepping on a scale, bridging the gap between the estimates provided by consumer smartwatches and the comprehensive assessments available only in specialized laboratories.
