Neko Health, a body-scanning startup founded by Spotify's Daniel Ek and Hjalmar Nilsonne, has raised £550M (approximately $700M) in a Series C funding round. The company has developed proprietary body-scanning technology, which it couples with bloodwork, to assess a person's health. This technology can also provide body composition information for gym lovers, and can be coupled with Apple Health data to give medical clinicians real-world data to use in its assessments.
The startup, which has locations in the UK and Sweden, is preparing to launch its first US location in New York. Neko Health claims that more than 100,000 people have already had scans, with over 350,000 people registered for the waitlist or set an appointment. The company's technology has already helped one notable user, Calm founder Alex Tew, discover a malignant mole on his back, which he promptly had removed.
The funding round was led by Lightspeed Venture Partners and O.G. Venture Partners, with other investors including Atomico, General Catalyst, and Liberty City Ventures. Neko Health's latest funding round follows its £260M Series B raised in January 2025.
Other health scanning companies, such as MidJourney, are also developing body-scanning technology. MidJourney's body scanner will be integrated into a spa experience with hot tubs and saunas, set to open in San Francisco in 2027.
The implications of Neko Health's technology for the UK are significant. As the company expands its operations, it may create new job opportunities and stimulate innovation in the healthcare sector. However, concerns about data privacy and the potential risks of body-scanning technology must also be addressed.
The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has guidelines in place for the use of AI and data processing in healthcare. The EU's AI Act also sets out rules for the development and deployment of AI-powered health technologies.