Tartu-based medical AI startup Better Medicine has raised €1 million in a Pre-Seed round to drive the European rollout of its CE-certified kidney cancer detection tool, prepare for FDA clearance and initiate pilot deployments in the U.S.
The raise brings the company’s total funding to over €5 million, including €2.25 million in private capital and €3.7 million in grants, notably a €2.5 million award from the European Innovation Council earlier this year.
The investment round was led by Soulmates Ventures, with participation from Specialist VC, UT Ventures, and several angel investors.
The funding will allow BMVision Kidney, which in early 2025 became the first AI-based kidney cancer detection model to receive CE certification under the EU’s Medical Device Regulation, to expand its deployment. The tool helps radiologists detect malignant lesions in CT scans, aiming to address both diagnostic delays and workforce shortages.
"Radiologists are under immense pressure to maintain total focus on highly repetitive tasks that don't necessarily require medical expertise but are still critical for diagnosis," said Priit Salumaa, Founder and CEO of Better Medicine.
"Imagine a second set of eyes, but multiplied by 1000, always alert and never tired: we are making early cancer detection easy and freeing doctors to avoid burnout and focus on what truly requires their judgment. The upside is more human lives saved."
Radiology departments around the world are under growing strain. In the UK, there are just 10 radiologists per 100,000 people, with about half of open radiologist roles remaining unfilled. Meanwhile, the global demand for imaging continues to increase, driven by an aging population and expanded diagnostic pathways. According to Better Medicine, an estimated 12 million hours annually are spent globally on manual lesion measurements and reporting.
By automating key components of radiology workflows, Better Medicine claims that its tools can alleviate bottlenecks, reduce human error, and help radiologists focus on complex clinical decision-making. Securing the certification places Better Medicine among a select group of companies whose AI models are approved for direct clinical integration.
"Better Medicine is addressing a clear and urgent need in oncology diagnostics," said Michal Sikyta, Investment Director at Soulmates Ventures. "By supporting radiologists and other specialists with reliable AI tools, they are helping improve patient outcomes while easing pressure on overloaded health systems. We're excited to back an experienced team as they prepare to make a major impact in modern medicine.”
The new capital will also support the company’s push into the U.S. market, where it plans to begin FDA-aligned clinical pilots.
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