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PNOE’s new face mask wants to make lab-grade breath testing a self-serve affair

18 h ago

PNOĒ, a metabolic testing company, is launching the self-administered PNOĒ 2.0 mask on October 1, aiming to make VO₂ max and longevity biomarkers accessible to gyms and wellness centers without trained operators. The Malden, Massachusetts-based company, with operations in Athens, Greece, says its portable device captures 23 biomarkers including VO₂ max, resting metabolic rate, and metabolic flexibility by analyzing oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide exhalation during an eight-minute breath test. Co-founder and CEO Apostolos Atsalakis told TechCrunch the self-serve version opens doors to fitness centers, pharmacies, and broader consumer wellness settings, addressing a key limitation of the current device that requires a trained operator. PNOĒ sells only to businesses via a $400–$1,000+ monthly subscription covering hardware, software, training, and marketing. Clients include Equinox (available at almost all clubs), Four Seasons hotels, Red Bull, the NBA, Mount Sinai Health System, and Restore Hyper Wellness. About 85% of revenue comes from the U.S., which Atsalakis calls the most advanced longevity market. The company is expanding in Europe, Latin America, and Asia. The device is not FDA-cleared and does not provide medical recommendations, positioning itself as a wellness tool akin to a body composition scale. The electronics detach from the silicone mask, allowing multiple users to share hardware while keeping individual masks. PNOĒ traces its roots to Atsalakis’s PhD at Cambridge and Y Combinator’s Winter 2019 batch. It has raised about $22 million, including a recently closed $11 million round from investors such as 50 Years and Google Maps co-founder Lars Rasmussen. The 110-employee company recently turned profitable, growing over 100% annually, and plans a Series B within 6–12 months.