SurgExplore receives CHF 40,000 from Venture Kick to develop AI platform for surgical training

What was the first real signal that your solution worked outside the lab or pitch deck, and what did that moment change for you?

The first real signal came when we began engaging directly with clinical stakeholders, particularly through discussions with hospitals on data-sharing collaborations and early conversations with a key opinion leader in cataract surgery. When we demonstrated how SurgExplore integrates into existing clinical workflows, the response was immediate and decisive.

Senior surgeons, especially heads of high-volume cataract clinics and those responsible for surgical training, instantly recognized the problems we were addressing. More importantly, they were able to articulate precisely how the platform would fit into their daily practice. This was not merely a matter of technical interest; it was a clear validation that SurgExplore addresses a concrete and pressing clinical need.


Can you briefly describe your project and where it stood when you entered Venture Kick?

SurgExplore is a medical intelligence platform providing AI-driven, patient- and surgeon-specific software based on surgical video and electronic health records. Initially focused on cataract surgery, it transforms unstructured clinical data into standardized, actionable insights to support more consistent and efficient surgical care.

When entering Venture Kick, SurgExplore combined a strong scientific and industrial foundation, over seven years of AI research, 20+ publications, and industry experience, with an early-stage venture setup. While the technology was well developed, the business concept still needed clear market validation, solution prioritization, and a refined value proposition.

We had begun taking initial steps through early entrepreneurship training and exploratory discussions with surgeons and industry stakeholders, but the project had not yet been systematically positioned in terms of market structure, customer segments, or an investor-facing narrative.

Venture Kick came at a critical moment, as the project was transitioning from a research-driven concept to a market-informed venture.


SurgExplore Co-Founders


How has the direction of your product/service/product strategy changed since working with the Venture Kick Team?

Working with Venture Kick fundamentally reshaped how we approach SurgExplore as a venture, especially in framing and prioritizing the product from a business perspective. Through Kickers Camp I and jury feedback, we moved from a technically driven narrative to a clearer, market-oriented value proposition, identifying gaps and open business questions along the way.

From winning Venture Kick Stage I onward, this input pushed us to systematically test assumptions, sharpen our definition of target users, and prioritize solutions based on market relevance. Stage I also increased our visibility within the Swiss investment ecosystem and enabled valuable exchanges with experienced founders and investors.

Equally important was access to business-oriented advisory support. Venture Kick connected us with experienced jury members and advisors who challenged our assumptions and helped refine our strategy, complementing our scientific strengths and reinforcing our positioning alongside support from academic and innovation partners.

Overall, Venture Kick helped transform SurgExplore from a research-driven concept into a more focused, market-ready venture, with a clearer product strategy, a stronger narrative, and improved readiness for investor engagement.


How will the Stage 2 funding help you advance your project concretely?

Stage 2 funding will allow us to move from early validation toward concrete execution and readiness for the next phase. Building on jury feedback and our participation in Venture Kickers Camp 2, we will further refine our narrative and business concept while strengthening our ability to communicate the project effectively to investors and partners.

In parallel, the funding will support essential legal and organizational preparations, including IP protection, GDPR compliance, and regulatory readiness. It will also increase our visibility within the surgical ecosystem, enabling deeper engagement with clinical partners, key opinion leaders, and strategic stakeholders.

By the end of Stage 2, our goal is to have a coherent and de-risked business concept with stronger traction signals and reduced execution, IP, and regulatory risk. This will position SurgExplore for Stage III and larger funding rounds required to complete development and run pilots at scale.