Clermont-Ferrand-based SURGAR, a startup developing augmented reality solutions for minimally invasive surgery, is thrilled to announce the closing of an €11 million funding round. The round was led by Mutuelles Impact, managed by XAnge, along with Elaia Partners in partnership with MH Innov’, the corporate fund of Malakoff Humanis, Bpifrance through its Digital Venture fund, and several business angels (including Jacques Gardette, Founder of Biocorp).
The company also benefited from the renewed support of its historical investors (UI Investissement and Crédit Agricole Capital Innovation). BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole Centre France, and Banque Populaire Auvergne Rhône-Alpes completed the financing.
SURGAR’s augmented reality software combines the best of computer vision and artificial intelligence. By merging the patient’s digital twin (obtained through MRI or CT scans) with the minimally invasive (laparoscopic) view in real-time, SURGAR makes the invisible visible: the surgeon can visualize internal organ structures (tumors, vessels, ducts). This technology makes surgeries safer, faster, and more efficient. The goal is to halve surgical complications and increase precision by 20 times! The benefits for patients are significant (minimally invasive surgery rates, cancer recurrence rates, complication rates) with substantial cost savings for healthcare providers (hospital stay duration, surgical efficiency).
This cutting-edge technology is the result of over 12 years of collaboration between the Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital and the EnCoV team of the Pascal Institute (Université Clermont-Auvergne, CNRS, INP Clermont-Auvergne). SURGAR combines artificial intelligence, computer vision, and clinical expertise, thanks to the synergy of Professors Bourdel, Bartoli, Canis, and Le Roy, co-founders of the startup.
Nicolas Bourdel, CEO and founder of SURGAR, stated: “SURGAR is above all a human adventure and the result of long-standing collaboration. By addressing a critical need for surgeons, we are serving patients. We have just reached a decisive milestone with the CE marking of our first solution. With this funding, we are set to introduce the first-ever augmented reality solution for abdominal surgery! The challenges are significant, but the potential impact is even greater.”
The funding will enable SURGAR to launch U-SURGAR, a software dedicated to female patients suffering from fibroids and adenomyosis (a form of endometriosis within the uterus), and to finalize and commercialize L-SURGAR and K-SURGAR, aimed at treating liver and kidney cancers respectively. Other AI-driven applications, including those for endometriosis, are in development, and numerous collaboration agreements have already been signed with hospitals both in France and internationally.
Nadja Bresous, Partner at XAnge, added: “The technology developed by SURGAR is a true demonstration of AI serving patients. The solution improves the preparation of laparoscopic surgeries, makes them more efficient, and reduces post-operative complications for patients, including limiting reoperations.”
According to Céline Passedouet, Investment Director at Elaia: “This strategic investment marks a key step in transforming surgery in France. By integrating technological innovations, we aim to significantly improve patient comfort and safety in the operating room. At MH Innov’ and Elaia, we strongly believe in supporting technological advancements that will have a tangible impact on the quality of healthcare in France, addressing current and future health challenges.”
“SURGAR has successfully developed a product ready for commercialization, based on breakthrough technology from laboratories, thanks to the multidisciplinary expertise of its internationally renowned founding team. We are convinced that this technology will become a standard in minimally invasive surgery, benefiting patients,” said Gwenaël Hamon, Senior Investment Director at Bpifrance in the Digital Venture team.
