TNO spin-off AIKON Health secures €1.2 million seed round to advance remote heart failure monitoring

In Europe, more than 15 million people live with heart failure. Without timely interventions, lifestyle changes, and adherence to medication, heart failure often progresses and can lead to repeated hospitalizations or even death. AIKON Health is developing a wearable device that allows cardiologists and cardiac nurses to better monitor their patients. This helps heart failure patients manage their condition at home. AIKON Health aims to reduce the number of hospital readmissions for heart failure patients by at least 25%.

Thiru Kanagasabapathi – Founder and CEO AIKON Health: ‘We’re grateful to have the backing of such a committed and focused group of investors. This underscores the potential of medical technology emerging from the Brainport region and the strength of our innovation ecosystem. Their support accelerates our path towards FDA approval, an ambitious milestone we’re pursuing just a few years after founding.’

The funding round is led by the Thematic Tech Transfer (TTT) Medtech program with active involvement from BOM, BSF, RIL and TNO Ventures. Harm de Vries, Director of TTT Medtech: ‘AIKON Health exemplifies how cutting-edge research at TNO can lead to impactful medtech solutions. Their wearable for heart failure monitoring is exactly the kind of clinically relevant innovation TTT Medtech is proud to support - turning science into better care at home.’

Albertien Greijdanus, Senior Investment Manager BOM: ‘As BOM, we are excited to invest in AIKON Health, whose wearable technology directly addresses the critical need for continuous monitoring of heart failure patients as they transition from hospital to home. Their solution enables earlier intervention, reduces readmissions, and supports better, patient-centered care beyond the hospital setting.’

Shifting care from hospital to home

Each year, the Netherlands records 30,000 new hospital admissions for heart failure, adding over €800 million in avoidable healthcare costs and placing significant strain on already stretched resources. After discharge, patients often need frequent outpatient visits for monitoring and medication adjustments. This increases pressure on clinics and adds stress for patients. AIKON Health is transforming heart failure management with a modular wearable solution that combines a discreet chest sensor and an arm sensor, enabling continuous monitoring of key indicators from the comfort of home. It allows clinicians to make timely and informed decisions remotely, helping reduce hospital visits, improve quality of life for patients, and ease the load on the healthcare system.

Boosting innovative technologies

TNO Ventures was established to drive the growth of breakthrough technologies by accelerating the journey from lab to market. Through spin-offs like AIKON Health, TNO aims to strengthen the Dutch innovation ecosystem and support the scaling of high-potential startups into global players.