
roclub raises $11.7M to tackle medtech staffing shortages
roclub announces it has raised $11.7 million to fuel its next stage of growth. The Series A round was led by Smedvig Ventures and YZR Capital, with participation from existing investor Speedinvest and angel investors.
roclub’s teleoperation technology is redefining how healthcare providers operate medical equipment – starting in radiology with MRI and CT scanners and shortly expanding to other healthcare segments – amid an acute global shortage of medical technologists. Its Cloud- and AI-based platform enables teleoperation of any medtech equipment from any vendor, allowing technologists from remote locations to manage multiple machines simultaneously. This secures business continuity for any examination at any time, maximises medical device utilisation, and prevents costly equipment downtime.
The smartphone-sized roclub connector can connect to any medtech device with a monitor as a front-end, enabling remote access and control from anywhere and supporting direct video and audio communication between on-site teams, remote operators and patients. By reimagining medtech operations with AI-support, roclub helps healthcare providers reduce patient wait times and improve care outcomes, while giving technologists the flexibility of hybrid work without the need to be physically present.
André Glardon, Co-Founder and Managing Director of roclub, said: “From our own experience running an international chain of diagnostics centres, Matthias and I saw firsthand how technologist shortages are impacting access to care for patients. roclub is changing that by helping healthcare providers across the world maximise the value of their medtech equipment through AI-driven remote operations. This new funding will help us expand our support to include more medtech machinery, supercharge our international expansion and, ultimately, deliver upon our mission to transform healthcare for better patient outcomes.”
Co-founders, Dr. Matthias Issing and André Glardon launched roclub after running a large chain of diagnostic centres in Europe, where they directly suffered from the shortage of technologists with medtech equipment lying idle, in turn, resulting in lost revenue. Since its inception in 2022, roclub has grown to span 11 countries, where it serves some of the world’s largest diagnostic imaging providers in hospitals and outpatient facilities.
Matthias Issing, Co-Founder and Managing Director of roclub, said: “We want to become the global standard for teleoperation in medtech – enabling seamless, safe, and intelligent remote access and control of medical devices anywhere in the world. By unifying medtech, robotics, AI, and ultra-low-latency connectivity, roclub aims to empower technologists and clinicians to perform complex procedures with precision and collaboration across borders, transforming access to expert care into a truly global capability.”
The company is building on this momentum with its launch into the US, doubling its headcount in 2026. To capitalise on the large market opportunity, it will focus on building more established sales and customer success functions.
Joshua Seyler, President, roclub Americas, said: "Amid rising labour costs and critical skills shortages, US healthcare providers are embracing innovative medtech solutions to optimise operations and meet the rising demand for radiology procedures. roclub, the world’s only dedicated remote, vendor-agnostic platform company, is proud to bring our transformative solution to the US market. Through our user-friendly platform and exclusive remote staffing marketplace, roclub empowers providers to access top expertise and deliver exceptional, high-quality care to every patient, every time."
The funding will also fuel the AI-based development of roclub’s teleoperation platform and marketplace, which will connect healthcare organisations with remote technologists to operate connected medtech devices. Set to launch in late 2025, it is expected to have a transformational impact for hospitals and clinics that often suffer from a lack of access to qualified technologists.
Joe Knowles, Partner at Smedvig Ventures, said: “André and Matthias have identified a transformational solution to a truly global problem; the skilled technologists needed to operate medtech equipment are not keeping pace with demand. Building on their success in Europe, we look forward to supporting their launch in the US and, in turn, their mission to ensure more equitable access to healthcare.”
Prof. Reinhard Meier, Founding Partner and Managing Director, YZR Capital, said: “As a radiologist, I know how a lack of access to skilled resources is putting healthcare providers under immense pressure. roclub has proven the value of its teleoperations technology in Europe and now with the addition of its marketplace for technologists the impact will be game-changing. We are proud to support the co-founders in their mission and look forward to helping roclub navigate its next stage of growth.”
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