Ayati Devices Raises $1.8M for Diabetic Foot AI Diagnostics

Ayati Devices, a pioneer in AI-powered diagnostic tools for diabetic foot complications, has successfully closed a INR 15 Crore (approximately $1.8 million USD) Pre-Series A funding round. The investment was spearheaded by Inflexor Ventures, marking the company's inaugural institutional capital infusion. This strategic funding is earmarked to accelerate the commercial rollout of Ayati's advanced diagnostic technologies, expand its global footprint, bolster manufacturing capabilities, and intensify research and development efforts, particularly in artificial intelligence and securing further regulatory approvals.

The escalating global diabetes crisis, with over 90 million individuals in India alone affected, underscores the critical need for accessible and early detection of complications like diabetic foot disease. Annually, India witnesses over 50,000 lower-limb amputations, a significant portion of which are preventable with timely intervention. Ayati Devices, incubated at IITB-SINE, is addressing this urgent healthcare gap by developing portable, cost-effective diagnostic solutions designed for deployment beyond specialized hospital settings, reaching primary care centers and diabetes clinics.

Founded by Nishant Kathpal, Ayati's product suite offers comprehensive screening for the diabetic foot pathway. Innovations like Vibrasense provide rapid neuropathy screening, while Vasosense detects Peripheral Artery Disease swiftly. The Angiocam system offers accessible tissue perfusion imaging, a capability previously limited by high costs. Complementing these are solutions like the PODIA Trolley, a pay-per-test screening station designed to minimize upfront capital expenditure for healthcare providers.

Ayati's commitment to global standards is evidenced by its existing regulatory clearances, including India's CDSCO, the U.S. FDA, and CE Mark for Europe, alongside approvals in several Asian and Middle Eastern markets. The company has already deployed over 10,000 devices across more than 30 countries, supported by a robust international distribution network and partnerships with prominent healthcare institutions such as Medicover Hospital and Aster Hospital.

The addressable market for Ayati's technologies, encompassing diabetic neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, and tissue perfusion imaging, is substantial, estimated at $15 billion globally and $1.4 billion within India. The company's innovative platform also holds potential applications in wound care, plastic surgery, and reconstructive medicine, indicating significant long-term growth prospects.

Pratip Mazumdar, Partner at Inflexor Ventures, highlighted the investment's alignment with India's burgeoning medical device sector, driven by innovation and supportive government policies. He emphasized Ayati's strong technical foundation, clinically relevant product development, and demonstrated market traction as key factors in their decision. Mazumdar sees Ayati's integrated hardware-software approach and expanding intellectual property as crucial differentiators that could establish it as a global standard in non-invasive diagnostics.

With this new capital, Ayati Devices is poised to scale its commercial operations, enhance its manufacturing capacity, and further innovate its AI-driven diagnostic capabilities. The company aims to transition diabetic foot care from reactive treatment to proactive prevention, thereby averting irreversible complications and improving patient outcomes worldwide.