Bratislava-based Powerful Medical, a medtech startup, announced that it has secured a €2.5M grant and an additional €5M investment from the European Innovation Council (EIC).

The company, recognised for its innovation in cardiovascular diagnostics, stood out among over a thousand applicants.

Empowering clinicians to accurately diagnose cardiovascular diseases

Founded in 2019 by Martin Herman, Dr. Robert Herman, Felix Bauer, Viktor Jurasek and Simon Rovder, Powerful Medical fights cardiovascular diseases with PMcardio, an AI-driven ECG platform.

It detects acute heart attacks and 38 cardiac abnormalities at the first point of contact, addressing the leading global cause of death.

This certified medical device, analysing 12-lead ECG images, detects acute heart attacks and 38 other cardiac abnormalities at initial contact. 

By comparing results to millions of previous patient records, PMcardio fills a crucial gap in healthcare, facilitating early and precise diagnoses.

Powerful Medical adopts a data-driven, methodical approach to redefine care coordination. 

The integration of PMcardio into hospital workflows streamlines triage, offering an AI-augmented patient assessment pathway. This facilitates prompt interventions for acute conditions, enhancing outcomes and boosting efficiency for institutions.

Dr. Robert Herman, Chief Medical Officer at Powerful Medical, says, “The impact of our technology is not limited to the immediate treatment of heart attacks; it extends into the future well-being of patients.”

“Our AI models in development focus on ECG-based screening for heart failure as early as asymptomatic patients presenting for a routine check-up to their GP and early recognition of sudden cardiac death predictors (such as Brugada and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy), ensuring patients have the best chance for a healthier, longer life,” adds Dr. Herman.

Capital utilisation

The EIC grant and subsequent investment are pivotal for Powerful Medical’s commercialisation plans.

The company intensifies clinical validation efforts and expands its presence across Europe. With FDA approval pending and ongoing US pilots, Powerful Medical strategically positions for a global reach.

Martin Herman, CEO of Powerful Medical, says, “We are immensely grateful for the EIC’s recognition and support, which propels us closer to achieving our mission of saving lives on a global scale.” 

“This investment fuels our ambition to broaden our reach within the EU and pioneer entry into the US, a journey supported by early believers like Life Extension Ventures, Venture to Future Fund (backed by European Investment Bank), Zero Gravity Capital, and our partners at Civitta.”