Munich Startup: What does Curevision do? What problem does it solve?
Richard Fobo, Founder and Managing Director: Curevision has developed an innovative system that revolutionizes wound analysis.
Over 20 million people worldwide suffer from chronic wounds, and one in four families has a relative with a chronic wound. These wounds are not only painful but also long-lasting, costing the healthcare system over €150 billion annually. Current wound assessment is often performed through visual inspection and the use of paper rulers—a subjective and time-consuming process that leads to misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment. In fact, 50 percent of patients do not receive the appropriate therapy.
This is where our solution comes in: With our AI-supported technology, medical professionals can capture precise data in just two clicks – from wound size and depth to tissue types and temperature. This saves up to 90 percent of time, relieves nursing staff, and thus ensures significantly more efficient and precise wound care.
Curevision: Highly precise, user-friendly and fast
Munich Startup: But that's been around for a long time!
Richard Fobo: There are already smartphone solutions via apps, but they lack sensors to measure temperature, for example. Other hardware solutions are usually specialized devices that focus on a single wound parameter—for example, only measuring the surface area of the wound. This requires multiple devices to record all important parameters and complete wound documentation. This means more effort, more time, and higher costs for customers. But customers need everything in one: highly precise, user-friendly, and results in just a few seconds.
Munich Startup: What is your founding story?
Richard Fobo: Our founding story began in 2020 when we became aware of how the healing progress of chronic wounds is tracked – namely with paper rulers. After realizing the magnitude of the problem associated with this, we founded Curevision in 2021. We received early support from the Munich ecosystem, in particular from the Strascheg Center for EntrepreneurshipAfter we received the Exist start-up grant, we were able to really get started.
“X-ray machine for your pocket”
Munich Startup: What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Richard Fobo: One of the biggest challenges was integrating the diverse practical requirements into a compact and user-friendly solution. From the very beginning, nurses and doctors made it clear to us that our solution offered enormous added value and was urgently needed. But at the same time, we were constantly told about the first prototypes: "Please make it smaller, please lighter, please more manageable." That was almost squaring the circle; we often compared it to the demand for an "X-ray machine for your pocket." The fact that we have now succeeded in doing exactly what our customers envisioned from the very beginning makes us truly proud. And nurses and doctors are pleased.
Munich Startup: Where would you like to be in one year, where in five years?
Richard Fobo: Of course, we have goals in our business plans. But our most important goal is to ensure that as many patients as possible receive support from Curevision. This applies to nursing homes, outpatient care facilities, specialized wound care providers, practices, and hospitals. We're well on our way in Germany, and we've only just begun our expansion in Europe.
“We are very grateful to our partners […]”
Munich Startup: How have you experienced Munich as a startup location so far?
Richard Fobo: Munich has proven to be the perfect location for us. The universities and colleges in Munich are a very good breeding ground for tech startups. The TUM Venture Labs and the Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship contribute to networking among startups. In addition, Munich Technology Center MTZ, which offers fantastic conditions for startups. And the support from the BioM Network, the Bavarian programs such as Bayern Innovativ and natürlich BaystartupWe are very grateful to the partners who support us.
Munich Startup: Hidden champion or shooting star?
Richard Fobo: Is this an “either – or”? We were recently awarded the Health-i Award by the Techniker Krankenkasse and the Handelsblatt, the Eugen-Münch Prize by the Rhön Foundation and the Bavarian Innovation Prize excellent – but does that make us a shooting star?
Chronic wounds are often not so present in the public eye, even though patients and their families suffer greatly from them, often for months and years. In this respect, the term "hidden" applies here. Fortunately, there are a growing number of fantastic startups, associations, and providers that are bringing this important topic to the public's attention. Because only together do we have a chance of overcoming the silent epidemic of chronic wounds.
