TGFS and bm|t invests a seven-figure amount in TEDIRO Healthcare Robotics GmbH 

21 August 2024

bm|t and TGFS Technologiegründerfonds Sachsen have invested a seven-figure amount in the Saxon-Thuringian medical robotics start-up TEDIRO Healthcare Robotics GmbH as part of an extended seed financing round. Other investors in this financing round include a business angel and the medium-sized robotics manufacturer MetraLabs GmbH Neue Technologien und Systeme, from which TEDIRO was spun off.

The idea for the robot originated at the Waldkliniken Eisenberg — one of the largest orthopedic clinics in Germany — together with the Chair of Orthopedics at Jena University Hospital, the Ilmenau University of Technology and MetraLabs. Over the past few years, TEDIRO‘s team, comprising software developers, AI experts and robotics specialists, has evolved the robot from a demonstrator into a certified medical product, establishing the necessary corporate processes along the way. TEDIRO leverages on MetraLabs’ platforms for robot hardware and navigation while focusing on developing medical applications and system integration. The robot is currently undergoing final testing by a medical technology certification lab. TEDIRO is pioneering to launch the first mobile robot compliant with the new EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) for various therapeutic applications.

“Our THERY robot assists medical and therapeutic staff to improve patient mobility regardless of staff availability,” explains TEDIRO founder Anke Mayfarth. “As a physiotherapist, I always wished for a robot to take over repetitive tasks. That wish is now becoming a reality.”

With the funds raised in this financing round, TEDIRO plans to bring the robot to market as a certified medical device and conduct pilot deployment in various clinics. In the future, the robot will cover a variety of other applications — from orthopedics to neurology and geriatrics. TEDIRO also plans to develop these applications in collaboration with partners, positioning the robot as an innovative therapy platform in the healthcare market.

Olaf Jedersberger, another investor in TEDIRO, emphasizes: “This is a highly forward-looking solution to the severe labor shortage in the healthcare sector. As COO of Helios years ago, I searched for such solution — and now, here it is.” However, the extent of the labor shortage has also surprised the founding team: “Since founding TEDIRO, the number of vacant therapist positions in clinics has continued to rise,” explains co-founder Dr. Christian Sternitzke. He continues: “It‘s hard to find a clinic today where a significant number of therapist positions are not unfilled.”

Sören Schuster, Managing Director of TGFS, adds: “With our investment in TEDIRO Healthcare Robotics GmbH, we are supporting a technological milestone in the healthcare sector. The combination of advanced robotics and therapy software in the THERY mobile robot platform has the potential to revolutionize therapy. We are proud to accompany the innovative TEDIRO team on its way to becoming a permanent fixture in the field of medical robotics. Furthermore, we are delighted to partner with bm|t once again for this investment.”

Kevin Reeder, Managing Director of bm|t: “With the THERY therapy robot, this young company is bringing an innovative assistant to hospitals and rehabilitation clinics to support staff in carrying out routine tasks. The experienced founding team impressed us right from the start with their technical solution to address the pressing societal challenge of labor shortage. We are delighted that the robots are being built in Thuringia and that we are part of the TEDIRO financing consortium.”

Your contact person
Sören Schuster | Managing Director TGFS
M +49 172 2001097
soeren.schuster@cfh.de

TGFS deal team
Paul Michalke and Friedemann Stier