MRI remains the gold standard for high-resolution medical imaging, but access to IT remains frustrating and limited. The machines are large, expensive, and most are stuck inside major hospitals. This is a problem for millions of patients around the world, especially in underserved communities and small care centers.
That’s exactly what French deep tech startup Chipiron is cutting its correction.
The Paris-based company raised $17 million in Series A funding to bring the miniaturized MRI scanner closer to reality. Their goal? Building a scanner that is smaller than current models and 10 times cheaper on mobile without compromising performance.
We aim to reduce the gap between MRI machines and access
Founded in 2020 by Evan Kervella (CEO) and Dimitri Labat (CSO), Chipiron is working on lightweight, ultra-low field MRI devices that can sit in a clinic, local care center, or mobile unit. The idea is to make MRI scans as common and accessible as x-rays.
Their devices also typically open the door to patients who have been excluded from traditional MRIs. People with pacemakers, people with claustrophobia, children who cannot sit still, or obese individuals. The current MRI experience is not made for them. Chipiron is about to change that.
And there are plenty at the table. The global MRI market is valued at approximately $10 billion, with a value of $2.5 billion in Europe and $500 million in France. Many industry insiders believe that if more facilities can afford MRI technology, then that number could be doubled.
Funds to prepare the real world
The new $17 million round is led by BLAST, and was led with subsequent investments from EIC funds and Ixcore, as well as public financial support from France2030 (SGI), EIC Accelerator (European Commission), and BPIFRANCE.
The plan is to use money to complete the development, create the first clinical prototype by the end of 2025, and start hospital trials in 2026. If everything goes well, Chipiron expects to deploy at least 100 commercial units over the next 3-5 years.
“This fundraising is a major turning point for Chipiron,” CEO Evan Kerbera said. “It examines both our technical approach and the clinical impact we aim to achieve. Thanks to investors’ trust, we now have the means to complete our research and development phase and begin clinical investigations in hospitals as soon as next year.”
Building momentum
Chipylon has been building towards this for a while. In 2021, they first closed a $1.1 million seed round along with business angels and entrepreneurs. Between 2022 and 2023, an additional $1.1 million of undiluted subsidies continued early R&D moves. A $2.7 million seed round followed in 2023, led by Exor Ventures and Unruly Capital.
Currently, over $22 million is raised, including stocks and public funds, and startups have a clear shot in building something that can really change how and where MRI is used.
“This round led by BLAST allows us to install the first device in the hospital,” CSO Dimitri Labat said. “We can quickly obtain MRI images of patients in real-world settings, which form the basis for products that we believe can transform medical imaging practices globally.”
Scanners made everywhere
Hospitals aren’t the only ones who are suffering. MRI accessibility is one of the biggest barriers to early diagnosis, especially in conditions such as tumors, neurological diseases, and musculoskeletal problems.
“Tipirone is truly a type of biotechnology that we want to support blast,” said Anthony Bourbon, founder and CEO of Blast.Club. “They allow what traditional medicine is still trying to do. They detect life-threatening diseases early.”
The company’s long-term goals are clear. Move MRI from the exclusive hospital wing to daily care. If they pull it apart, we may see new standards for medical imaging.
🚀Want to share the story?
Submit your stories to TechStartUps.com in front of thousands of founders, investors, PE companies, tech executives, decision makers and tech leaders.
Please attract attention
Source link
