German healthtech startup Skleo Health has raised €3 million in seed funding to ramp up its mission to prevent avoidable blindness through accessible, AI-powered eye screenings.
The round was led by Sanoptis, a European ophthalmology services provider, with participation from Antler and angel investors.
Launched in March 2024, Skleo enables rapid, preventive eye exams at opticians, pharmacies, retail outlets, and corporate offices. The process combines a six-minute screening, CE-certified AI analysis, and confirmation by licensed eye doctors. To date, the company has screened over 11,000 individuals, identifying 3,000+ cases requiring medical care across Germany’s 50 largest cities.
Tackling Long Wait Times and Preventable Conditions
In Germany, 9.7 million people suffer from preventable eye diseases like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration. With specialist wait times averaging 56 days, 31% of patients receive treatment too late.
“We founded Skleo Health to fundamentally change this reality,” said Dr. Steffen E. Künzel, co-founder and ophthalmologist. “This funding allows us to replace reactive treatment with proactive prevention, saving sight before it’s too late.”
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Strategic Partnerships and AI Platform Development
The funding will expand Skleo Health’s partner network, with the goal of scaling to 30,000 screenings per month. Collaborations with Mister Spex, pharmacies, corporates, and a soon-to-launch retail partner will support this growth. A portion of the investment will also fuel further development of Skleo’s AI diagnostic system and connect patients to eye specialists via a nationwide platform.
Investor Confidence in Preventive Eye Care
Sanoptis CEO Dr. Volker Wendel said, “Skleo’s approach is shaping the future of eye care. By combining certified AI and real-time screenings, they tackle one of ophthalmology’s biggest challenges—late diagnosis.”
Antler partner Alan Poensgen added, “Skleo Health will radically improve eyecare in Germany and beyond. The team’s mix of medical, tech, and business expertise positions them for rapid, sustainable growth.”
Meet the Founding Team
Skleo’s founding team met during Antler’s Berlin residency in 2023 and brings deep domain expertise:
- Dr. Steffen E. Künzel, ophthalmologist and Charité University alum
- Fabien Vogl, engineer and MBA with healthcare experience at Air Liquide
- Dr. Alex Hein, mathematician and ex-BCG consultant
Skleo’s mission is further backed by support from academic institutions including Charité Berlin, UCL London, and Yale University.
