Sudden cardiac arrest strikes without warning and often leaves families helpless in their own living rooms. Lifeaz wants to change this terrifying reality by putting professional medical power directly into the hands of everyday people.
The French med-tech startup just announced a massive €13 million funding round to accelerate its mission. This fresh capital will fuel their goal to equip homes across Europe with smart and easy to use defibrillators that anyone can operate to save a life.
Combating a Silent Killer at Home
Heart attacks are often associated with stress or public places but the statistics tell a different and more alarming story. Data shows that a vast majority of sudden cardiac arrests actually happen inside private homes.
Most people are completely unprepared to handle these emergencies when they occur in their living room or bedroom.
Emergency services often cannot arrive fast enough to make a difference because every minute without a heartbeat decreases survival chances by 10 percent. Lifeaz recognized this critical gap in the healthcare chain. They realized that the only way to improve survival rates is to empower bystanders and family members to act immediately.
The company was founded in 2015 by Johann Kalchman, Timothée Soubigne and Martial Itty with a clear vision. They wanted to shift the defibrillator market from being exclusive to hospitals and public squares to being a standard household appliance.
Connected home defibrillator device on a modern living room table
“Our mission is to give everyone the power to save a life,” says Johann Kalchman, CEO of Lifeaz. “We are moving from a world where we rely solely on emergency services to one where citizens are the first link in the survival chain.”
This new funding proves that investors believe in this vision. The €13 million injection will allow Lifeaz to scale up manufacturing and distribution. They aim to make their flagship device a common sight in homes just like a fire extinguisher or a smoke detector.
Smart Technology Meets Emergency Care
The core of Lifeaz’s offering is a device named “Clark.” It is the first connected defibrillator designed specifically for individuals.
Traditional defibrillators can be intimidating and bulky. Clark is different because it is small, portable and incredibly intuitive. The device talks to the user and guides them vocally and visually through every step of the resuscitation process.
You do not need to be a doctor to use it. The machine analyzes the heart rhythm automatically and decides if a shock is needed. It prevents the user from making a mistake or delivering a shock when it is not necessary.
Key Features of the Clark Defibrillator:
- Voice Guidance: It speaks calm instructions to guide you through CPR and pad placement.
- Bilingual Interface: The device can switch languages instantly which is vital for multicultural households.
- Connectivity: It connects to the internet to perform regular self-checks.
- Automatic Updates: The system alerts Lifeaz if a battery or pad needs replacement.
This connectivity solves a major issue with public defibrillators. Studies often find that many public devices are broken or have dead batteries when they are needed most. Lifeaz ensures their devices are always ready to go without the owner needing to become a technician.
Investors Bet Big on Health Tech
The investment round brought together a powerful coalition of backers who focus on impact and healthcare.
Existing investor Mutuelles Impact led the charge again. They are managed by XAnge in partnership with Impactivist. This shows continued confidence from those who have known the company the longest.
New heavyweights also joined the table to support this growth phase.
New Investors Include:
- Mirova: An affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers dedicated to sustainable investing.
- BNP Paribas Développement: A major player in supporting French business growth.
- GO CAPITAL: An investment firm focused on responsible innovation.
These investors are not just looking for financial returns. They are looking for social impact. Pierre-Emmanuel Struyven from Supernova Invest noted in previous rounds that Lifeaz represents the future of home health.
This €13 million series B round will allow the company to double down on its technological lead. They plan to invest heavily in R&D to develop new features that integrate further with emergency services and telemedicine platforms.
Expanding Reach Beyond French Borders
Lifeaz has already made a significant dent in the French market. Thousands of families and businesses currently rely on their technology.
Now the company is setting its sights on the rest of Europe.
The regulatory landscape for medical devices in Europe is strict but Lifeaz has successfully navigated these waters. The fresh capital provides the runway needed to launch in neighboring countries. Germany and Spain are likely targets as the company looks to replicate its domestic success.
Expansion requires more than just shipping boxes. It requires boots on the ground. Lifeaz plans to strengthen its organization significantly.
They are looking to hire new talent across various departments:
- Sales and Marketing: To educate new markets about the need for home defibrillators.
- Engineering: To continue refining the hardware and software ecosystem.
- Customer Support: To ensure every user feels confident and supported.
Training is also a massive part of their expansion strategy. Hardware alone is not enough. People need to feel confident to act.
Lifeaz offers a free mobile application called “Everyday Heroes.” This app teaches users the gestures that save lives. It gamifies the learning process to make CPR training accessible to kids and adults alike. This holistic approach of combining hardware with education is what sets them apart from traditional medical supply companies.
The company is proving that complex medical technology can be democratized. By removing the fear and complexity around defibrillators, Lifeaz is giving ordinary people the tools to perform extraordinary acts of bravery.
Summary
Lifeaz has successfully raised €13 million to revolutionize how we handle cardiac emergencies at home. With the backing of major investors like Mirova and BNP Paribas, the French startup is set to expand its footprint across Europe. Their connected defibrillator, Clark, removes the complexity of lifesaving interventions by offering voice guidance and automated maintenance. This funding will support product innovation, new hires, and the mission to empower citizens to save lives in their own living rooms.
We would love to hear your thoughts on this life-saving technology. Do you think every home should have a defibrillator just like a smoke detector? Share your opinion in the comments below. If you found this update vital, please share it on social media using #Lifeaz #HealthTech to spread the word to your friends and family.
