Dutch AI Startup Raises €2.3 Million to Predict Surgical Infections Before They Happen
Netherlands, Friday, 16 January 2026.
Netherlands-based Healthplus.ai secured €2.3 million to deploy PERISCOPE®, an AI system that predicts post-operative infection risks for individual patients and provides targeted prevention strategies. The technology can save hospitals up to €4 million annually by reducing surgical complications and staff workload. Led by Elevating Capital and LUMO Labs, this funding enables European expansion and US market entry, representing a breakthrough in proactive surgical risk management that integrates seamlessly with existing hospital systems.
Defining the Innovation Category
This development falls squarely within the healthtech sector, representing a MedTech scale-up that combines artificial intelligence with clinical healthcare delivery [1]. Healthplus.ai’s PERISCOPE® system addresses one of healthcare’s most persistent challenges: predicting and preventing post-operative complications before they occur. The technology represents a shift from reactive to proactive surgical care management, leveraging machine learning algorithms to analyze patient data and identify infection risks with unprecedented precision [1].
How PERISCOPE® Technology Works
PERISCOPE® operates by analyzing individual patient data to predict post-operative infection risks and directly linking these predictions to targeted actions for healthcare teams [1]. The system integrates seamlessly with Electronic Patient Record (EPD) systems that serve the Dutch and broader European markets, including Epic, Oracle Cerner, and ChipSoft platforms [1]. What sets this technology apart is its automatic calibration capability, ensuring accurate predictions across all types of hospitals while maintaining compliance with all regulatory requirements [1]. The AI system processes patient-specific risk factors and provides real-time guidance to surgical teams, enabling them to implement preventive measures before complications arise [1].
Financial Impact and Benefits
The economic benefits of PERISCOPE® are substantial, with the system capable of saving hospitals up to €4 million annually by reducing post-operative complications [1]. These savings stem from decreased complication rates, reduced staff workload, and more efficient resource allocation [1]. The technology enables healthcare providers to stratify patients more accurately, allowing doctors and nurses to create better treatment plans, intervene faster with high-risk patients, and safely discharge low-risk patients earlier [1]. This approach helps patients recover faster while making specialists’ work more efficient and reducing pressure on the healthcare system overall [1].
Leadership and Geographic Foundation
Healthplus.ai operates under the leadership of Dr. Bart Geerts, who serves as both CEO and founder of the company [1]. The company represents the innovation strength that North Holland harbors, positioning itself within an impressive Life Sciences & Health and AI ecosystem that includes research institutions, educational programs, campuses, startups, hospitals, and top-tier investors [1]. This regional ecosystem is internationally competitive and increasingly visible on the global stage [1]. The funding round was led by Elevating Capital and LUMO Labs, with participation from Pathena Venture Capital, Leistone (Renza Family), and ROM InWest [1]. Sara Schaafsma, Investment Manager at ROM InWest, expressed enthusiasm about the investment, highlighting how accurate patient stratification enables better treatment planning and system efficiency [1]. The company plans to use this late seed investment to accelerate European rollout and begin expansion into the United States market, while continuing development of AI risk models for all phases surrounding surgical operations [1].