The French startup SURGAR, specialized in the development of augmented reality solutions for minimally invasive surgery, has closed a €11 million funding round. This round was led by Mutuelles Impact, managed by XAnge, in partnership with Elaia Partners, MH Innov’ (the corporate fund of Malakoff Humanis), Bpifrance via its Digital Venture fund, as well as several business angels, including Jacques Gardette, founder of Biocorp. SURGAR’s historical investors, including UI Investissement and Crédit Agricole Capital Innovation, also participated in this round, with additional financing from BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole Centre France, and Banque Populaire Auvergne Rhône-Alpes.
How is SURGAR transforming minimally invasive surgery?
Founded by Nicolas Bourdel, Adrien Bartoli, Michel Canis, and Bertrand Le Roy, SURGAR builds on more than 12 years of research and development in collaboration with the CHU of Clermont-Ferrand and the EnCoV team at the Institut Pascal (University Clermont-Auvergne, CNRS, INP Clermont-Auvergne). SURGAR’s technology merges real-time coelioscopic images with a digital twin of the patient, allowing surgeons to visualize internal organ structures with enhanced precision.
Nadja Bresous, Partner at XAnge:
“The technology developed by SURGAR is a true demonstration of AI serving patients. The solution allows for better preparation of laparoscopic surgeries, makes them more efficient, and reduces postoperative complications for patients.”
What is the impact of CE marking and regulation on SURGAR’s projects?
With the recent CE marking obtained for its first software, SURGAR is now ready to launch U-SURGAR, a solution dedicated to women suffering from fibroids and adenomyosis. The funds raised will also be used to finalize and commercialize two other software solutions, L-SURGAR and K-SURGAR, targeting liver and kidney cancers, respectively. The startup plans to develop more AI-based applications, notably for endometriosis, while strengthening its collaborations with hospitals in France and internationally.
Nicolas Bourdel, CEO and co-founder of SURGAR:
“Thanks to this fundraising, we will be able to offer the very first augmented reality solution in abdominal surgery. The challenges are immense, but the stakes are just as high. The CE marking represents a decisive advance for our technology, which meets the strictest regulatory standards.”
What are the strengths of the ecosystem supporting SURGAR?
Since its inception, SURGAR has surrounded itself with strategic partners and benefited from several public and private funding sources. After an initial €1.55 million fundraising one year after its creation, the startup won several national and European project calls, including the BPI Deeptech program and the H2020 FEMaLe project on endometriosis. These successes have allowed the company to grow from 2 to 32 employees and to finalize its first solution dedicated to uterine surgery.
Gwenaël Hamon, Senior Investment Director at Bpifrance:
“We are convinced that this technology will become a standard in minimally invasive surgery, benefiting patients. SURGAR has successfully transformed a disruptive technology from academic research into a product ready for commercialization.”
