A Nigerian healthtech startup has secured funding to scale its next-gen proactive health initiative.
According to TechPression, Lagos-based Platos Health has announced $1.4 million in pre-seed funding to expand Platos 3.0, an AI-powered metabolic health platform.
The funding indicates significant interest in Africa’s emerging digital health sector, with support from Google for Startups, Invest International, and angel investors from Google, Tesla, and Unicredit, according to the outlet.
As part of Platos 3.0, the outlet also states that Platos Health has designed Platos Body Monitor, a home medical device intended to address the rising prevalence of lifestyle-related illnesses in Nigeria. The device is sold in more than 300 pharmacies in Nigeria, including Medplus, Justrite, and Alpha Pharmacy, and costs between ₦80,000 and ₦120,000 ($50 and $80). It’s also available online, with two different options to choose from.
“We saw a gap. Health isn’t just clinical; it’s personal,” said Platos Health Founder and CEO Oladimeji Joseph Fakayode, in a post on Investment International’s LinkedIn page. “Platos Monitor brings that power to Nigerians first.”
As its website states, the Platos Body Monitor allows users to track key health indicators, including BMI, heart rate, visceral and subcutaneous fat, and hydration levels, among others. AFROTECH™ reported on something similar when Apple announced that it was designing a blood glucose monitor for its Apple Watch.
Another important factor, as TechPression notes, is that it’s designed to provide users with individualized insights by integrating with Google Health Connect and Apple Health, allowing them to centralize and analyze their health data. In addition, it mentions that the software, which makes use of Google’s Gemini AI, offers personalized health summaries to assist users in controlling their weight, comprehending their fat composition, and enhancing their metabolic health.
The outlet also reports that the platform is intended to target “metropolitan women and health-conscious males,” who are particularly susceptible to unhealthy diets and sedentary lives. It also references Platos Health’s collaboration with leading researchers, including Dr. Jimoh Itopa and Professor Hanno Pijl, utilizing global research on the body’s defense mechanisms, including that of Dr. William Li.
