PNOE Launches Self-Serve Mask for At-Home Metabolic Testing

PNOE, a wellness technology firm with headquarters in Malden, Massachusetts, and operations in Athens, Greece, is set to release its PNOE 2.0 device on October 1. The new wearable resembles a breathing mask and allows users to conduct metabolic tests independently, marking a significant shift from its previous model which required a trained operator.

The device analyzes exhaled air to measure metrics such as VO2 max, resting metabolic rate, and metabolic flexibility. According to co-founder and CEO Apostolos Atsalakis, the streamlined process allows individuals to simply wear the mask, press a button, and breathe for eight minutes. This self-serve capability aims to expand the device’s accessibility beyond specialized sports labs to fitness centers, pharmacies, and other commercial venues.

While metabolic testing has long been considered the gold standard for assessing cardiorespiratory fitness, traditional equipment has been bulky, expensive, and limited to elite athletic programs and hospitals. PNOE claims its portable technology delivers comparable accuracy while providing software-driven recommendations for diet and training. The company notes that these breath-based biomarkers can offer insights into caloric needs and energy production that blood tests may not reveal.

The PNOE 2.0 features a more compact design developed in collaboration with Milan-based Design Group Italia. To address hygiene concerns, the electronics detach from the silicone mask and straps, allowing multiple users to share the hardware while maintaining personal contact points. PNOE emphasizes that it operates as a wellness device rather than a medical instrument; it is not currently FDA-cleared, and the company states it does not provide medical diagnoses or prescriptions.

Founded in 2019 after Atsalakis’s PhD research at the University of Cambridge, PNOE has raised approximately $22 million, including an recent $11 million round from investors such as 50 Years and Google Maps co-founder Lars Rasmussen. The startup went through Y Combinator’s Winter 2019 cohort. Currently, the company employs 110 people and reports having recently achieved profitability with year-over-year growth exceeding 100%.

PNOE sells exclusively to businesses, which pay a monthly subscription ranging from $400 to over $1,000. This package includes hardware, software, training, and marketing materials. Existing clients include Equinox, Four Seasons hotels, Red Bull, the NBA, Mount Sinai Health System, and Restore Hyper Wellness. With about 85% of revenue coming from the United States, the company is now expanding its footprint in Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Plans are in place to raise a Series B round within the next six to twelve months.