Platos Health has unveiled Platos 3.0—a bold shift into a proactive, preventive health economy—backed by a $1.4 million pre-seed funding round. Investors include Google for Startups, Invest International, and angel investors from global tech powerhouses like Google, Tesla, and Unicredit. This funding reinforces Platos’ mission to address the global rise in chronic diseases linked to excess body fat and metabolic dysfunction.
From Diabetes Management to Prevention
Platos was founded in 2020 with the launch of Zest, Nigeria’s first fully digital diabetes management platform. It served thousands of users and received international recognition, including a feature in the International Journal of Diabetes and Technology (IJDT). To scale its impact, Platos expanded into remote patient monitoring through partnerships with the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Chronicare (linked with Roche’s largest Nigerian distributor), and AIICO Health Insurance.
The Hidden Crisis: Unhealthy Fat
Data from its user base uncovered startling insights:
- 68% of users were overweight or obese (average BMI: 28.7 kg/m²)
- Only 3.8% had ideal fat mass
- 34% of those with normal BMI had unhealthy levels of fat
- 31% had “lean diabetes”—a condition where slim individuals carry dangerous internal fat
These findings revealed that focusing solely on weight or BMI misses the bigger picture. Visceral fat—fat around internal organs—is a major driver of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, even among people who appear fit.
Shifting Toward Proactive Health
With chronic illnesses affecting billions globally, Platos recognised the need to move beyond reactive care. In Nigeria, where 45 million people live with obesity and healthcare systems remain strained, the opportunity to empower individuals with preventive tools is urgent.
Introducing Platos Monitor
To address this, Platos created Platos Monitor, a smart self-monitoring system combining affordable medical-grade devices (₦80,000–₦120,000) with AI-powered insights.
Platos Monitor features:
- Tracking of over 20 health metrics (e.g., blood pressure, cholesterol, fat composition)
- Platos Intelligence, an AI tool built on Google’s Gemini AI
- Integration with Apple Health and Google Health Connect
The early impact has been impressive:
- 59.4% of users said they’d be disappointed without it
- 33% achieved ≥5% weight loss within 3 months
National Expansion and Global Vision
Platos has partnered with over 300 pharmacy stores in Nigeria, including Medplus, Alpha Pharmacy, and Justrite. In 2024, it saw a 500% revenue increase and 2754% growth in biomarker logs, tracking 49 distinct health markers.
Research collaborations are underway with global experts like Prof. Hanno Pijl and Dr. Jimoh Itopa to deepen understanding of fat metabolism and dietary strategies. These will feed into Platos Monitor Plus, a subscription-based product for personalised health insights.
