Dutch AI Startup Raises €2.3 Million to Prevent Surgery Infections Before They Happen
Netherlands, Monday, 9 March 2026.
Netherlands-based Healthplus.ai secured €2.3 million to expand PERISCOPE®, an artificial intelligence system that predicts which patients will develop infections after surgery. The technology can save hospitals up to €4 million annually by identifying high-risk patients before complications occur. Led by Elevating Capital and LUMO Labs, the funding will accelerate European expansion and US market entry while further developing AI risk models for all surgical phases.
A Healthtech Innovation Targeting Critical Healthcare Challenges
This development represents a significant advancement in healthtech, specifically targeting one of healthcare’s most persistent and costly problems: postoperative infections. Healthplus.ai’s PERISCOPE® system addresses surgical complications through artificial intelligence-powered risk prediction, offering healthcare providers actionable insights before infections develop [1]. The technology aims to drive healthcare transformation by reducing surgical complications and alleviating workload pressure on medical staff, representing a proactive approach to patient care rather than reactive treatment [1].
How PERISCOPE® Works: AI-Powered Risk Assessment
PERISCOPE® functions as an AI system that predicts patient-specific infection risks following surgery and provides targeted recommendations 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 [1]. The technology automatically calibrates itself, ensuring accurate predictions across different types of hospitals while meeting all regulatory requirements [1]. This integration capability allows the system to work within existing hospital workflows without requiring significant infrastructure changes.
The Science Behind Infection Prediction
The foundation for PERISCOPE®’s predictive capabilities stems from extensive research into postoperative infection patterns. A comprehensive study analyzing 158,703 procedures across two tertiary medical centers in the Netherlands between January 1, 2011, and September 22, 2023, revealed critical insights about infection risk factors [3]. The research examined eight surgical subspecialties and found that 22% of the 45,125 included procedures resulted in postoperative infections [3]. The study demonstrated that elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were associated with postoperative infections, with odds ratios ranging from 1.0 to 12.0 depending on CRP levels and time elapsed since surgery [3].
Financial Impact and Market Expansion Strategy
The economic implications of PERISCOPE® are substantial, with the system capable of saving hospitals up to €4 million per year by addressing postoperative complications, which represent both a significant cost burden and source of workforce pressure [1]. The funding round, completed in March 2026, was led by Elevating Capital and LUMO Labs, with participation from Pathena Venture Capital, Leistone (Renza Family), and ROM InWest [1]. Dr. Bart Geerts, CEO and founder of Healthplus.ai, emphasized that this late seed investment will strengthen the company’s ability to integrate clinically validated, regulatory-approved AI into daily hospital practice [1]. The capital will be deployed to accelerate European expansion and initiate entry into the United States market, while also investing in further development of AI risk models for all surgical phases [1].