In a world where healthcare often feels clinical and intimidating, Neko Health is imagining something entirely different. Founded in Stockholm and now with new locations in Manchester and London, Neko Health redefines how we engage with our wellbeing – preventative, inviting, and calming. Blending sci-fi futurism with Scandinavian minimalism, the clinic combines softly curved diagnostics pods, intuitive digital interfaces, and advanced biometric screening to deliver precise, real-time health insights. The result is a healthcare experience that feels less like a hospital and more like stepping into the future of self-care – translating complex data and innovative tech into something tangible, understandable, and genuinely helpful. We sat down with Hjalmar Nilsonne, CEO and co-founder, and lead architect Franquibel Lima, to find out more about Neko Health’s origins and ambitions.

Alex James Taylor: Can you take us through the initial concept for Neko Health? How did the idea first emerge? 
Hjalmar Nilsonne: Daniel [Ek, co-founder] approached me after learning that I was leaving my previous company. Initially, I was reluctant to get involved; having grown up in a family of doctors, I had deliberately chosen a different path and was hesitant to enter a field that echoed my family’s profession. However, after several months of discussions and careful consideration, Daniel convinced me to embark on this new venture together. We agreed that there’s a need to create a healthcare system that can help people stay healthy through preventive measures and early detection. This requires completely reimagining the patient’s experience and incorporating the latest advances in sensors and AI. This marked the beginning of Neko Health. 

AJT: A core aspect of Neko Health is preventive health care rather than reactive care. Especially in the UK, we don’t tend to seek advice or help unless there’s something wrong. How do you hope Neko Health helps change this perspective?
HN: At its core, Neko Health exists to help people stay healthy for longer. And to do that, we need to close the gap between how people currently use healthcare (waiting until something is wrong) and what actually leads to better outcomes: understanding your health and risk factors early. We believe the key lies in data. With today’s technology, it’s possible to detect subtle changes long before symptoms appear. Yet many early changes, particularly cardiovascular issues, often go unnoticed until they become harder to treat or carry serious consequences. We aim to change that. By giving clinicians highly advanced tools to spot early signs of illness, and giving patients clear, digestible insights into their own bodies, we make proactive care not only possible but intuitive. When people understand their health status earlier, they’re empowered to take action and ultimately stay healthier for longer. That’s the shift we’re trying to drive.  

“Much of our inspiration came from real environments where technology and calm coexist: Japanese minimalism, Scandinavian design, quiet galleries and spaces that balance precision with warmth.”

AJT: And what are your future plans for Neko Health? How do you see it evolving?
HN: A big part of our vision has always been to make preventive healthcare accessible to as many people as possible. The world doesn’t need another expensive, exclusive scan that only a small portion of society can afford. What truly drives impact is scale, accessibility and continuous improvement. As we grow, we’ll keep expanding our locations (with Birmingham and London Victoria opening early this year) so more people can integrate preventive health into their routine. On the technology side, we’re constantly advancing what we can detect, making the experience more comprehensive and more insightful over time. 

AJT: I’m really interested in the design, I remember Brian Eno speaking years ago about how hospitals needed to be redesigned to positively encourage healing, and I totally agree. What was the conversation around the design for Neko Health, and how do you see design and healthcare interacting? 
Franquibel Lima: Design and healthcare are deeply interconnected, especially when trying to shift people’s behaviours from reactive treatment to proactive, preventive care. One of the most important aspects of this is creating environments that actually encourage positive habits. To do that, the spaces need to feel welcoming, optimistic and uplifting – a world away from the traditional, often cluttered atmosphere of a doctor’s office. For us, the design of our health centres isn’t just aesthetic – it’s behavioural. We want people to genuinely enjoy being there, to feel at ease and ultimately to want to come back time after time. If we want people to stay ahead of their health, the environment needs to support that habit. That’s why our scan rooms feature a thoughtfully curated palette of finishes based on a pale yet vibrant yellow over surfaces with different sheen levels not typically associated with healthcare settings. These hues and a layered lighting concept come together with the minimalist and reassuringly non-invasive expression of our technology to craft a futuristic yet human-centredenvironment.  

“The design of our health centres isn’t just aesthetic – it’s behavioural.”

AJT: Are there any specific elements that stand out or that were particularly tricky or essential?
FL: The integration of high-tech scanning equipment without allowing it to overpower the environment is always a delicate balance. Medical hardware can visually dominate a space, so we work intentionally to ensure everything feels harmonious and coherent. Another core part of our members’ experience is the flow. We mapped out the entire journey – arriving, preparing, scanning, debriefing – almost like designing an interaction loop, where every touchpoint is considered. The transitions needed to feel natural and intuitive; a seamless flow delivers reassurance and reduces anxiety. Lighting was one of the most nuanced challenges. The right light can create comfort and clarity simultaneously, and it took many iterations to find a balance that felt warm, calm and appropriate. In the end, it wasn’t one dramatic design choice but a series of small, intentional decisions working together. 

“A big part of our vision has always been to make preventive healthcare accessible to as many people as possible.”

AJT: There’s a very sci-fi feel to the design, I wondered if any films or fictional locations were on your moodboard? Or perhaps real places you’ve been? 
FL: There’s a subtle sci-fi quality to the space, but our inspiration leaned toward an optimistic, human-centred future rather than anything dystopian or cold. We didn’t intentionally reference specific films, yet there’s a shared visual language in contemporary sci-fi that presents technology as soft, clean and approachable – and that influenced us. Beyond fiction, much of our inspiration came from real environments where technology and calm coexist: Japanese minimalism, Scandinavian design, quiet galleries and spaces that balance precision with warmth. So while the result might feel lightly futuristic, the guiding principle was always the same: create a future people genuinely want to step into. 

AJT: I have to ask, I saw that you use an Xbox controller to control the lasers – why is that?
FL: Game controllers are exceptionally well-designed tools for precise, comfortable, intuitive input. Instead of custom-building a bespoke controller, we took advantage of a device millions of people already know and feel comfortable with. It’s one of those instances where a playful solution is also the most practical, and it gives the experience a touch of familiarity in an otherwise novel process. 

Find out more here.