Platos Health, a Lagos-based health-tech startup revolutionizing home-based preventive care, has secured $1.4 million in pre-seed funding to expand the reach of its AI-driven metabolic health platform, Platos Monitor, across Nigeria.
The round was led by Google for Startups, with additional backing from Invest International and a network of angel investors affiliated with global tech giants including Google, Tesla, and Unicredit. The capital injection will support the nationwide rollout of the Platos Body Monitor, a medical-grade device designed to empower individuals to track and manage their health metrics from home.
Founded in 2020 by Joseph Fakayode, Platos Health is focused on early detection and prevention of chronic diseases through real-time, personalized health insights. Its flagship device, the Platos Body Monitor, enables users to monitor up to 49 health indicators including heart rate, BMI, hydration levels, and both visceral and subcutaneous fat.
By combining cutting-edge hardware with AI-powered analytics, Platos Health aims to bridge gaps in access to healthcare, especially in underserved communities. The platform delivers actionable insights that allow users to take proactive steps toward improving their metabolic health without needing frequent clinic visits.
With the latest funding, the company is poised to scale operations, strengthen its AI capabilities, and deepen its impact on Nigeria’s growing digital health ecosystem.
Platos Health is expanding its AI-powered metabolic health platform, Platos Monitor, as it pushes to redefine preventive care in Nigeria. Available on Android, iOS, and web, the platform integrates seamlessly with Apple Health and Google Health Connect, allowing users to centralize their health data for a more holistic view of their well-being.
Its core device, the Platos Body Monitor, is now stocked in over 300 pharmacies including Medplus, Justrite, and Alpha Pharmacy across Nigeria, with a retail price between ₦80,000 ($50) and ₦120,000 ($80). The device offers real-time health tracking of 49 biometrics, ranging from visceral fat to hydration levels, aimed at giving users proactive control over their metabolic health.
Platos is entering a $30 million market at a time when Nigeria is facing a mounting health crisis. An estimated 30% of Nigerian adults live with at least one chronic illness, and over 8 million are diagnosed with diabetes. Meanwhile, the country has just 500 cardiologists for a population exceeding 200 million, and an ongoing brain drain of medical professionals continues to widen care gaps.
Against this backdrop, Platos positions itself not just as a tech solution, but as a critical intervention. “We saw a gap. Health isn’t just clinical; it’s personal,” said founder Joseph Fakayode. “Platos Monitor brings that power to Nigerians first.”
While global players like Omron, Withings, Fitbit, and Qardio dominate the diagnostic space with clinically validated devices, Platos differentiates itself by targeting both diagnosed patients and millions of Africans with undetected metabolic risks. Rather than waiting for symptoms to emerge, the company promotes early intervention helping users identify “invisible fat” and address chronic threats before they escalate.
Early results suggest traction. Platos claims that 33% of users reported clinically significant weight loss within three months, while nearly 60% said they’d be disappointed without the device. Its business model is primarily hardware-based, though its software layer, powered in part by Google’s Gemini AI, offers personalized insights that break down complex health data into digestible guidance such as distinguishing between good and bad fat or managing age-related muscle loss.
The platform currently appeals to Nigeria’s urban women and health-conscious men populations often battling the twin challenges of sedentary lifestyles and poor diets. Despite a unit cost higher than the country’s monthly minimum wage (₦70,000 or $43.56), Platos is betting that premium adoption will trickle down into mass appeal.
Backed by Google for Startups and supported by investors from Tesla and Unicredit, Platos is ramping up its research and market expansion. The company collaborates with top metabolic health experts including Professor Hanno Pijl and Dr. Jimoh Itopa to investigate the relationship between nutrition, body fat, and chronic illness. It also draws inspiration from leading researchers like Dr. William Li, whose work on the body’s natural defense systems is influencing the company’s evidence-based approach.
Ultimately, Platos is not just selling a device, it’s pitching a new health narrative for Africa: one where prevention, data, and empowerment come before disease.
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