Ligence, a Lithuanian startup specializing in echocardiography automation, has secured €3 million in seed funding. The round was led by Simpact Ventures, a Polish venture capital fund based on the idea of impact investing. Other investors included Coinvest Capital, EIC fund, Lemonade Stand, NGL business angels syndicate, and Rita Sakus. This funding will allow Ligence to expand further, increasing the availability of high-quality cardiac diagnostics worldwide.
Ligence creates software for echocardiography (also known as heart echoes) that leverages artificial intelligence for automatic image analysis, supporting cardiologists in making precise clinical decisions. The company’s solution provides medics with accurate measurements, automatic reports, and an integrated, independent cardiac viewer.
“Investing in projects with positive impact is a strategy that brings not only financial profit but also measurable benefits for society and the environment,” says Wojciech Majewski, partner at Simpact Ventures. “Ligence aims to improve the availability and accuracy of heart disease diagnostics, reducing the clinical burden on doctors, and allowing them to dedicate more time to patients.”
Ligence’s software readily integrates with PACS systems (Picture Archiving and Communication System, a medical imaging technology) and other hospital systems. Unlike “black box” solutions that operate opaquely and only point out problems without explanation, it offers transparent measurements in line with ASE (American Society of Echocardiography) and ESC (European Society of Cardiology) guidelines, giving doctors full, standardized insight into a patient’s health condition.
Ligence is already present in several countries, including Poland, Switzerland, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, and the UK, and is conducting trials in Morocco.
Looking Out For Patients and Doctors
Ligence’s mission is to increase access and accuracy of heart ultrasound examinations, which allows for early detection of diseases, better risk assessment, and more effective screening exams. By automating analysis, doctors can focus on patients, instead of spending time on manual data processing.
“This investment shows that we have chosen the right strategic direction. The world’s biggest ‘killer’ – cardiovascular diseases – deserves more attention,” says Arnas Karužas, CEO of Ligence. “In the face of an aging population, rising number of comorbidities, and risk factors we are still battling against, accurate and fast heart disease diagnostics is more important than ever.”
Future Plans
Ligence plans to further develop in Europe and prepare to enter the American market. Thanks to its innovative approach, easy integration with hospital systems, and focus on patients’ needs, the company is ready to set new standards in cardiac care.
Source: https://managerplus.pl/simpact-ventures-inwestuje-w-rozwoj-ligence-litewskiego-startupu-medycznego-44094
