Akina receives CHF 1.6 million in pre-seed capital to develop its medical software
01.11.2022
Founded by Florian Haufe and Michele Xiloyannis in 2021, the ETH spinoff develops intelligent medical software to support patients in self-directed physiotherapy at home. In the pre-seed round, Akina was able to attract well-known investors such as Ertan Wittwer (Bestsmile, Hair & Skin), Philip Magoulas (Zalando, Bestsmile, Hair & Skin), and Nikolaus Nieder (Hair & Skin). The capital will be used to complete the first product and prepare for market launch in 2023. Akina won CHF 150,000 in the Venture Kick program in July 2022.
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Akina's founders, Florian Haufe and Michele Xiloyannis, have raised a total of CHF 1.6 million in the pre-seed round, which closed in September. The capital will be used to complete and launch the first product, Akina Care, in 2023.
Serial entrepreneurs Ertan Wittwer and Philipp Magoulas, who recently sold medical retail startup Bestsmile to Migros, and Nikolaus Nieder (Hair & Skin) are on board as lead investors. Other investors include Joel Roos, founder and former CEO of motion analysis startup Vay (acquired by U.S. fitness developer and marketer Nautilus), who brings extensive knowledge and experience in automated motion analysis. Moreover, Akina was also able to attract Springboard Health Angels from Berlin, a leader in the field of digital health, as investors.
"We are delighted to be able to use the investment to drive the launch of Akina Care. In addition, we are enormously proud to be able to benefit from the wealth of experience of our investors in the future," said Florian Haufe.
The lack of clinical feedback and motivation at home leads to 80% of patients failing in independent therapy in Switzerland. This gap in care causes avoidable additional costs of up to CHF 4 billion annually in the Swiss healthcare system.
Using AI-based software and entertainment integration, Akina aims to counteract this. Akina Care analyzes patient movements in real time via webcam and provides clinical feedback on the exercises performed. The cloud platform also gives healthcare professionals access to the data. This allows the software to be seamlessly integrated into existing treatment protocols, significantly reducing costs.
At the same time, Akina Care provides an interface to numerous virtual entertainment services and creates an immediate incentive for patients to engage in independent therapy. Regularly performed exercises can drastically reduce follow-up treatment and avoid costs.
In collaboration with leading Swiss clinics, Akina Care has already been successfully validated in 28 clinical pilot sessions and on over 8,000 movements. The software is now to be finalized for market entry in cooperation with the Schulthess Clinic; letters of intent for future cooperation with additional clinics have already been signed. Akina is also in talks with selected health insurers for the integration of the offering into a holistic treatment package.
Akina won CHF 150,000 in the Venture Kick program in July 2022. Akina's CEO and co-founder, Florian Haufe, recently joined the Venture Briefing as a speaker.
Akina's founders, Florian Haufe and Michele Xiloyannis
Serial entrepreneurs Ertan Wittwer and Philipp Magoulas, who recently sold medical retail startup Bestsmile to Migros, and Nikolaus Nieder (Hair & Skin) are on board as lead investors. Other investors include Joel Roos, founder and former CEO of motion analysis startup Vay (acquired by U.S. fitness developer and marketer Nautilus), who brings extensive knowledge and experience in automated motion analysis. Moreover, Akina was also able to attract Springboard Health Angels from Berlin, a leader in the field of digital health, as investors.
"We are delighted to be able to use the investment to drive the launch of Akina Care. In addition, we are enormously proud to be able to benefit from the wealth of experience of our investors in the future," said Florian Haufe.
The lack of clinical feedback and motivation at home leads to 80% of patients failing in independent therapy in Switzerland. This gap in care causes avoidable additional costs of up to CHF 4 billion annually in the Swiss healthcare system.
Using AI-based software and entertainment integration, Akina aims to counteract this. Akina Care analyzes patient movements in real time via webcam and provides clinical feedback on the exercises performed. The cloud platform also gives healthcare professionals access to the data. This allows the software to be seamlessly integrated into existing treatment protocols, significantly reducing costs.
At the same time, Akina Care provides an interface to numerous virtual entertainment services and creates an immediate incentive for patients to engage in independent therapy. Regularly performed exercises can drastically reduce follow-up treatment and avoid costs.
In collaboration with leading Swiss clinics, Akina Care has already been successfully validated in 28 clinical pilot sessions and on over 8,000 movements. The software is now to be finalized for market entry in cooperation with the Schulthess Clinic; letters of intent for future cooperation with additional clinics have already been signed. Akina is also in talks with selected health insurers for the integration of the offering into a holistic treatment package.
Akina won CHF 150,000 in the Venture Kick program in July 2022. Akina's CEO and co-founder, Florian Haufe, recently joined the Venture Briefing as a speaker.
Akina's founders, Florian Haufe and Michele Xiloyannis