PNOĒ Launches Self‑Serve Breath Mask for VO₂ Max Testing
PNOĒ, a Massachusetts‑based startup, is releasing a new self‑serve breath mask on October 1 that allows users to measure VO₂ max and other metabolic markers in just eight minutes. The device, which can be used without a trained operator, promises to democratize metabolic testing and could expand in…
By Felo News Desk · Published
PNOĒ, the Malden, Massachusetts‑based startup, is set to roll out a new self‑serve breath mask on October 1. The device lets users measure VO₂ max and 23 other metabolic markers in just eight minutes, without needing a trained operator. The move could bring lab‑grade breath testing into gyms, pharmacies, and other wellness venues.
What the New Mask Does
The mask covers the nose and mouth and straps around the back of the head. Inside, it measures how much oxygen a person consumes and how much carbon dioxide they exhale. The data is then processed by software that translates the results into actionable advice about nutrition, training, and overall health.
PNOĒ’s current device requires a trained operator, which limits its deployment to specialized sports labs and hospitals. The new version, dubbed PNOĒ 2.0, allows anyone to wear the mask, press a button, sit down, and breathe for eight minutes. The simplicity of the process is a key selling point for the company’s co‑founder and CEO, Apostolos Atsalakis.
Why VO₂ Max Matters
VO₂ max is the maximum amount of oxygen the body can use during exercise and is a widely accepted indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness. Research links higher VO₂ max levels to lower mortality and longer life expectancy. Because of this, the metric has become a buzzword in the longevity and wellness communities.
Traditional VO₂ max testing requires bulky, expensive equipment found mainly in sports labs and hospitals. PNOĒ claims its mask delivers the same accuracy in a portable, affordable package, making it accessible to a broader audience.
Design and Practicality
The new mask is smaller and more compact than its predecessor, with fewer parts that make it more reliable. It was designed in collaboration with Milan‑based Design Group Italia after many iterations, as PNOĒ’s CEO noted that no self‑administered metabolic testing device had existed before.
One practical concern for post‑pandemic users is hygiene. PNOĒ addresses this by separating the electronics from the silicone mask and straps. The electronics can be shared among multiple users, while each person keeps their own mask, eliminating worries about cross‑contamination.
Business Model and Partnerships
PNOĒ sells its hardware and software to businesses, which then offer the test to their customers. The company’s clients include Equinox, Four Seasons hotels, Red Bull, the NBA, Mount Sinai Health System, and the med‑spa chain Restore Hyper Wellness. About 85% of its revenue comes from the United States, which the company describes as the most advanced market for longevity.
Businesses pay a subscription ranging from $400 a month to more than $1,000. The subscription covers hardware, software, training, and marketing materials—a package the CEO calls a “business in a box.” The results are linked to the services a business sells, allowing gyms or spas to recommend specific offerings based on a customer’s test.
Future Outlook
PNOĒ is not yet FDA‑cleared and does not provide medical recommendations. The company positions itself as a wellness device, similar to a body composition scale. However, the CEO believes that the growing trove of breath data could eventually help flag health issues, though full diagnoses are likely a couple of years away due to regulatory hurdles.
With a workforce of 110 employees, PNOĒ has recently turned profitable and is growing at more than 100% per year. The company plans to raise a Series B round within the next six to 12 months as it seeks to expand its mask’s reach beyond the United States into Europe, Latin America, and Asia.
Key facts
- Self‑serve mask measures VO₂ max and 23 metabolic markers in 8 minutes
- Designed for gyms, pharmacies, and wellness centers
- Business model: subscription-based “business in a box”
- Not FDA‑cleared; marketed as a wellness device
- Plans to raise Series B for global expansion
Why it matters
By making metabolic testing self‑serve, PNOĒ could bring precise, lab‑grade breath analysis to everyday fitness and wellness settings, potentially improving health outcomes for a broader population.
Frequently asked questions
What is VO₂ max?
VO₂ max is the maximum amount of oxygen the body can use during exercise, a key indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness.
Can the mask be used by anyone?
Yes, the mask is designed for self‑serve use; no trained operator is required.
Is the device FDA‑cleared?
No, the mask is not FDA‑cleared and is marketed as a wellness device.
What businesses can use the mask?
Gyms, spas, hotels, and other wellness centers can purchase the system on a subscription basis.
Will the mask help diagnose diseases?
The company believes future data could aid in disease detection, but full diagnostic capabilities are not yet available.
Sources
- [1] techcrunch.com — originally reported as “PNOE's new face mask wants to make lab-grade breath testing a self-serve affair”
