ClementineAI raises €1.7M seed for hearing
Maastricht startup Clementine has secured €1.7 million in seed funding led by Healthy.Capital. The company's AI platform, featuring an agent named Matthew, aims to help hearing clinics convert leads into patients.
ClementineAI, a Maastricht-based startup, has raised €1.7 million in seed funding. The investment was led by the Amsterdam-based healthtech investor Healthy.Capital.
Founded in 2024 by CEO Vince van de Weijer, the company has built what it calls the world's first AI hearing activation platform. It is designed specifically for the hearing-care industry.
The AI Platform Strategy
The core of the platform is an AI hearing care agent named Matthew. This agent engages directly with prospective patients. It answers questions around the clock without judgment. It educates users and guides them toward appropriate care.
For clinics, the AI can eliminate administrative work and translate inquiries into bookings. For patients, it promises streamlined communication. Founder Vince van de Weijer stated the clinics' need clearly. "Clinics don't need more leads; they need better conversations at the right moment," he said. "Matthew ensures no patient inquiry goes unanswered."
The funding will deepen the company's AI capabilities. It will also expand partnerships with hearing clinics, optical retailers, and other healthcare organizations.
Investor Confidence and Market Need
Healthy.Capital's managing partner, Douwe Jippes, explained the firm's backing. "Clementine combines deep domain expertise with a clear AI platform strategy that can scale globally," Jippes said. He believes the approach will change how people with hearing disabilities engage with healthcare.
The company cites a significant global need. According to Clementine, hearing loss affects an estimated 1.5 billion people worldwide. Nearly 80% of those affected never seek treatment. Those who do seek help typically wait more than eight years.
Clementine aims to use AI paired with behavioural science to tackle this. The goal is to provide a judgement-free, always-available way for people to engage with hearing care. This engagement happens before they are ready to visit a clinic.
Scaling Commercial Footprint
The seed round follows a recent commercial expansion. Clementine formed a partnership with Zoolstra, a marketing agency serving hearing clinics in the United States and Canada. This move aims to scale the platform's reach.
The startup is headquartered in Maastricht, in the Dutch province of Limburg. It is also known simply as Clementine. The new capital will support its mission to convert more leads into patients for hearing clinics globally.
