What if a cardiologist could remotely monitor your cardiac activity with just a smartphone and in less than 2 minutes? This is the major achievement of Belgian start-up HeartKinetics. Back in 2019, this start-up was incubated in the ESA BIC Belgium, a core component of Verhaert’s MyStartup program, and has now raised almost €3 million to continue expanding on their activities. In this blog, we’ll dive into this ESA BIC success story.
Screening and monitoring heart failure
Accurate and regular cardiac measurements are of paramount importance to treat and prevent cardiovascular diseases. That was the starting point of HeartKinetics to provide patients and healthcare professionals with safe and effective solutions for accurately monitoring heart health at all times. Based on research on astronaut cardiac function and its deconditioning in microgravity, HeartKinetics has developed its cardiac monitoring solution measuring small vibrations in these functions.
This has culminated in the launch of their OKCARDIO smartphone app, which allows measuring vital functions such as heart rate variability, the functioning of the valves, and gives an indication of overall heart strength. This enables doctors to conduct online consultations and make a rapid diagnosis of pulmonary and cardiac function. As soon as the patient data has been recorded, the doctor will have access to all of the vital cardiac information on a secure platform called KINO.pro.
ESA BIC alumni
HeartKinetics is a prime example of open innovation through technology transfer, using space technology in commercial start-ups. In 2019, it joined the ESA BIC program, which helped them to validate their product positioning and market access strategy, while also navigating the intricate regulatory requirements that are part of any medical device. This program is part of Verhaert’s overarching MyStartUp initiative, in which we set up and manage thematic open innovation programs to provide an ecosystem and support from top-notch experts.
In the past, HeartKinetics had already won the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) Inventor Award and was selected for the Alpha programme at WebSummit. This now culminates in a capital raise that will allow the company to usher in a next line of products and develop many facets of their current application. We’re proud to call them one of our most successful alumni. Congratulations!