Robeauté, a Paris-based medtech startup developing neurosurgical microrobots, has announced the completion of a €27.2 million funding round to advance their microbot tech, initiate human trials in 2026, and establish operations in the US as the company pursues FDA approval.
Led by Plural, Cherry Ventures, and Kindred Ventures, the round also saw participation from LocalGlobe, Think.Health, returning investor APEX Ventures, and a strategic investment from Brainlab.
Bertrand Duplat, CEO of Robeauté, remarked: “There is unexplored potential for microrobots in medicine. Current neurosurgery techniques are invasive and can be fatal, whilst it is difficult for treatment to pass the blood-brain barrier and get to its intended target. We’re creating microrobots that will bring unparalleled access to the brain with personalised, precision medicine that can transform treatments and patient outcomes.”
The company was founded by robotics expert Bertrand Duplat and operations specialist Joana Cartocci in 2017. Duplat brings 30 years of experience, having worked on robotics for McGill University and the European Space Agency, and co-founding 3D software company Virtools, which was acquired by Dassault Systèmes.
Robeauté’s approach stems from a deeply personal motivation: Duplat’s mother was diagnosed with glioblastoma; a malignant brain tumour.
Neurological disorders are notoriously challenging to diagnose and treat, especially in their early stages. Existing neurosurgical techniques rely on invasive tools that lack precision and adaptability, while many pharmaceutical treatments struggle to penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively.
Robeauté’s microrobots, the size of a grain of rice, are designed to overcome these limitations. Capable of navigating curved routes through the brain’s extracellular matrix, these microrobots can safely access multiple sites, delivering targeted treatments, collecting samples, or implanting sensors with precision.
Over eight years, their team has developed a platform boasting more than 50 patents. The microrobots incorporate cutting-edge technologies, including a tiny engine, propeller, and steering system, enabling surgeons to track their movement in real time.
Animal studies are underway, focusing on biopsy applications as a precursor to full treatment and monitoring capabilities. Future applications will include partnerships with industrial and research collaborators to unlock the potential for real-time brain intervention and monitoring.
The funding will also facilitate Robeauté’s entry into the US market and support collaboration with Brainlab, whose strategic investment highlights the company’s alignment with advancing neurosurgical capabilities.
Robeauté aims to redefine neurosurgery by providing tools for more accurate diagnostics, targeted treatments, and improved patient outcomes.
Joana Cartocci, COO of Robeauté, stated: “We’re building the microrobots that will enable a radical paradigm shift in how we approach neurosurgery and dialogue with the brain. We like to think of our microrobot as a brain gardener, that can tend to the pathological organ from within, with a standard carrier that can be adapted to fit a variety of extensions. Our first application is advanced biopsy but from there the potential is boundless, unlocked through providing safe access and unprecedented site-specific data. We’re proud of our European roots and everything we have achieved here so far. We look forward to the next stage in our company’s growth as we expand to the US and work closely with the regulatory authorities to bring the device to patients.”
Investors have expressed strong confidence in Robeauté’s potential. Ian Hogarth, partner at Plural, noted: “Robeauté’s technology doesn’t just have the potential to transform neurosurgery — it could also fundamentally change how drug companies find the best solutions for patients.” Similarly, Filip Dames, Founding Partner at Cherry Ventures, highlighted: “The challenge posed by neurodegenerative diseases is immense, touching countless lives across the globe. What Robeauté is building truly embodies the spirit of frontier technology.”
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2025/01/size-of-a-grain-of-rice-robeaute-raises-e27-2-million-to-transform-neurosurgery-with-microrobots/
